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Building the institutional and technical capacity for a potential nuclear power programme has taken a step forward with Namibia appointing a Nuclear Commissioner to coordinate government preparations for the country’s long-term energy needs.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has appointed John Titus, Director in the Department of Energy at the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, to the role, while establishing a management committee to oversee the work of the Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organisation (NEPIO). The appointments establish a cross-government coordination structure for assessing the requirements of nuclear power development, as Namibia explores ways to strengthen energy security and diversify its future electricity mix.
As Nuclear Commissioner, Titus will coordinate NEPIO’s technical activities and lead the secretariat supporting its Management Committee. His responsibilities include coordinating relevant government institutions and technical bodies to develop the infrastructure and institutional capabilities required for a potential nuclear programme. The committee comprises executive directors from the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and the National Planning Commission.
Its mandate includes strategic direction, policy coordination and oversight, reflecting the broad range of considerations involved in nuclear power development, from energy planning and public health to financing, regulation and international cooperation. “The decision to support a long-term nuclear power programme is a decision to invest in the institutional, technical and human capacity required to prepare Namibia for its future energy needs,” said Ngurare.
He stressed that the initiative would not bypass the rigorous assessments required for nuclear power development, adding that safety, environmental protection, affordability and energy security must remain central to the process. Namibia’s established uranium production provides a strategic resource base as the government considers how nuclear energy could contribute to national development. However, moving towards nuclear power requires extensive preparation, including the development of regulatory systems, technical expertise, financing arrangements and public-sector oversight.
The government is following the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Milestones Approach, a framework designed to guide countries through the infrastructure and institutional requirements for introducing nuclear power. Key areas under consideration include nuclear safety and security, radioactive waste management, environmental protection, site selection, electricity-grid capacity, emergency preparedness, workforce development and public engagement. Financing and affordability will also be central to determining whether nuclear power is a viable option within Namibia’s future energy mix.
The newly established coordination structure is intended to support informed decision-making across these areas. The appointments mark progress in preparing for a potential nuclear programme, although further assessments, regulatory development and investment decisions would be required before a power station could be developed. The immediate priority is to establish the institutional, technical and human-resource foundations needed to evaluate nuclear power responsibly and determine its place in the country’s long-term energy strategy.
