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President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has taken over the ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy after removing Natangwe Ithete from the posts.
Ithete also who doubled as deputy Prime Minister was appointed to the posts in March as part of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s new administration.
“In the interest of ensuring continuity and effective coordination within this key sector, President Nandi-Ndaitwah will assume responsibility for the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy, effective immediately,” the statement said.
The development comes as the country is aiming for its first crude oil production by 2030 after several major discoveries in recent years.
Currently the mining industry has solidified its role as the economy’s cornerstone, diversifying beyond diamonds into uranium, copper, gold, and critical minerals.
As we draw close to the end of 2025, extractive sectors are on a high note, signalling a pivotal shift from geological potential to tangible project delivery and serious capital investment.
The sector is accounting for 13.7 percent of GDP in the first quarter, it provided crucial stability as other parts of the economy wavered.
Chamber of Mines has indicated that mining sector continues to register strong gains in 2025, with uranium and gold emerging as key pillars of economic growth and resilience.
The uranium industry stood out as a top performer, recording a 59 percent year-on-year increase in production as of April 2025. Supported by rising global demand for clean and reliable energy sources, uranium has become the country’s most valuable export, contributing N$2.86 billion (26 percent) of Namibia’s total exports for April.
The country is cementing its reputation as a strategic supplier of uranium to the world, especially as nuclear energy gains renewed momentum in global energy transition efforts.
The Chamber said the strong performance of uranium sector is a reflection of confidence in the country’s resource potential.
“Gold exports also saw a substantial boost, earning N$1.69 billion in April and making up over 15 percent of total exports. Despite short-term production fluctuations, the value of gold remains resilient on the back of historically high global prices, averaging US$3,309 per ounce in May, a 41 percent increase year-on-year. Namibia’s gold mines have steadily increased output, contributing to broader economic stability.”
On the other hand, diamond production declined by 26 percent in April compared to the same period in 2024, with the sector’s share of total exports falling to 10.5 percent, down from 12.9 percent a year earlier.
The Chamber said the downturn follows deliberate production cuts by Debmarine Namibia throughout 2024 and early 2025, aimed at curbing oversupply and stabilising global diamond prices.
“Despite these efforts, the natural diamond industry continues to face mounting challenges, including intensifying competition from lab-grown alternatives and subdued demand across key Asian markets,” said the Chamber.
