Monday, 7 September 2026

Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Monday, 7 September 2026

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Namibian press · Organization

International Atomic Energy Agency

Also known as: IAEA · International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

International organization providing technical assessments of nuclear projects, including uranium mining operations in Namibia.

2024-07-302026-09-07

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

February 2026
9 FebThe Namibian
International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Grossi was present at the ceremony to mark the start of the project
Source
“International Atomic Energy Agency director general Rafael Grossi, Hungarian minister of foreign affairs and trade Peter Szijjarto and Rosatom director general Alexey Likhachev were all present at the ceremony.”
Hungary pours first concrete for EU’s first VVER-1200 nuclear plant at Paks II
5 FebThe Namibian
International Atomic Energy Agency is expected to conduct ImPACT Mission with World Health Organisation this week
Source
“In addition, this week we expect to receive the International Atomic Energy Agency and World Health Organisation ImPACT Mission, the Integrated Mission of the Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy, to support Namibia in strengthening comprehensive cancer control capacities.”
Esperance Luvindao accepts cancer donation at Windhoek Central Hospital
January 2026
23 JanNew Era
Namibian officials emphasised compliance with International Atomic Energy Agency standards for nuclear cooperation
Source
“Namibian officials have been emphatic that any nuclear cooperation will comply fully with International Atomic Energy Agency standards.”
Business Editorial – “Nostalgia is not strategy”

Mining & Energy

Cabinet's mining framework balances economic growth and environmental protection

The News

An opinion piece argues that Namibia's Cabinet engagement on mining policy clarifies the framework for resource extraction, including in sensitive areas, enabling economic benefits for communities while maintaining environmental and safety standards. The author contends that uranium operations have demonstrated responsible mining is achievable and that policy clarity removes investment uncertainty.

2 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 2 September

Cabinet's mining framework balances economic growth and environmental protection
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's Cabinet engagement on mining policy clarifies the framework for resource extraction, including in sensitive areas, enabling economic benefits for communities while maintaining environmental and safety standards. The author contends that uranium operations have demonstrated responsible mining is achievable and that policy clarity removes investment uncertainty.
2 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 30 August

Langer Heinrich uranium revenue rises 71% on higher sales
Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine's revenue from uranium sales rose 71% to US$304.3 million in the year ended 30 June 2026, with production volumes increasing 61% to 4.82 million pounds of uranium oxide and the average realised price rising to US$70 per pound. The Namibia operation generated US$45.5 million in profit before income tax and finance costs, compared with a loss in the previous year.
30 August 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 28 August

Namibia leads push for first female UN secretary-general
Namibia has taken a leading role in advocating for the election of the first-ever woman as the next secretary-general of the United Nations. International relations minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi made this stance known during a working visit to the Republic of Congo, noting that after 80 years the UN has never had a female secretary-general, though multiple women are contesting to succeed current secretary-general António Guterres, whose second and final term ends on 31 December 2026. Namibia, Brazil, Mexico, Antigua and Barbuda, and over 110 member states have expressed strong support for electing the first female UN secretary-general.
28 August 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 14 July

Omaheke Governor urges community to weigh uranium project benefits
The Governor of the Omaheke Region, Pijoo Nganate, has described the proposed uranium mining project near Leonardville by Headspring Investment as a significant economic opportunity and urged the community to consider its potential benefits for employment and poverty reduction, while acknowledging concerns about impact on the regional aquifer.
14 July 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 5 July

Obninsk forum advances nuclear education cooperation with Namibia
The Obninsk NEW'26 Forum in Russia reinforced international cooperation in nuclear education and training, with agreements signed to expand engineering education and global capacity-building initiatives, including growing engagement with Namibia. The forum, supported by the IAEA, emphasised training a new generation of nuclear specialists as global nuclear capacity is projected to triple by 2050.
5 July 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 19 June

Namibia records 1,940 cancer deaths; cases projected to surge
The health minister revealed that according to 2022 data, Namibia recorded 3,453 new cancer cases and 1,940 deaths, with projections indicating over 6,300 new cases by 2045. Key diagnoses include over 553 women annually with breast cancer, 350 with cervical cancer, and rising rates of prostate cancer and other malignancies.
19 June 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 14 June

Uzbekistan begins world's first export small modular nuclear plant
ROSATOM has begun construction of the world's first export small modular nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan's Jizzakh Region, with the first concrete poured on 4 June 2026. Once completed, the plant is expected to supply up to 14% of Uzbekistan's electricity demand and offers a reference point for other uranium-producing nations, including Namibia, exploring nuclear power options.
14 June 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 9 June

Namibia projected to face 6 300 cancer cases annually by 2045
Health and Social Services Minister Esperance Luvindao warned that Namibia could record more than 6 300 new cancer cases annually by 2045, an 84% increase over two decades, if urgent action is not taken to strengthen prevention, early detection and treatment services. The country recorded approximately 2 200 new cases in 2018 and 3 453 cases by 2022, with 1 940 cancer-related deaths.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia warns of 84% cancer case surge by 2045
Health Minister Dr Esperance Luvindao warned that Namibia could face an 84% increase in cancer cases by 2045, with projections showing more than 6,300 new cases annually by that year compared to approximately 2,200 in 2018. Experts cited delayed diagnoses, limited rural screening services and barriers to treatment as key challenges, with breast cancer and cervical cancer among the most prevalent forms.
9 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 2 June

Rosatom seeks uranium mining approval pending IAEA report
Russian state-owned Rosatom, through subsidiary Headspring Investments, claims groundwater in the Stampriet Basin already contains uranium at levels approximately 300 times higher than WHO drinking water guidelines. The company awaits an independent IAEA report on its proposed in situ leaching uranium mining project in Omaheke Region, which the Namibian government has received and Cabinet is reviewing.
2 June 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 26 May

Namibian delegation visits Russian uranium mine to study extraction methods
A delegation of Namibian farmers, a journalist, and employees from Headspring Investments visited the Dalur in-situ uranium mine in Russia to learn about its operations and extraction methods. The mine uses in-situ leaching, which dissolves uranium underground and pumps it to the surface, avoiding open-pit mining, tunnelling, and tailings ponds.
26 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 30 April

Reappointed Atomic Energy Board to review laws and assess nuclear projects
Namibia's Atomic Energy Board, chaired by Shitaleni Herman and appointed for a three-year term, will focus on reviewing legislation, strengthening technical capacity, and assessing projects as the country implements its Cabinet-approved Nuclear Industry Strategy. The strategy is now part of the sixth National Development Plan, the first time nuclear development has been included at that level.
30 April 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 28 March

SAUMA warns uranium ISL mining threatens Stampriet aquifer
The Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association has raised concerns that proposed In Situ Leach uranium mining in the Stampriet Artesian Basin could contaminate critical groundwater resources and threaten the basin's agricultural sector, which generates over N$1.1 billion annually and supports over 13,000 jobs. The organisation argues that ISL mining introduces toxic substances including radionuclides and heavy metals into water systems and has called for greater transparency, scientific scrutiny, and adherence to environmental regulations before any mining decisions are made.
28 March 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 8 March

Parliament backs Russian uranium mining near Stampriet aquifer
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has endorsed the continuation of uranium mining by Headspring Investments, a subsidiary of Russian state-owned Rosatom, in the Leonardville area despite environmental concerns about contamination of the Stampriet aquifer. The committee chair argues that uranium is a natural resource already present in the area and that In-Situ Recovery technology, refined over 50 years, should be allowed to proceed to acquire scientific knowledge and enable Namibia to develop its nuclear industry.
8 March 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 7 March

Macky Sall becomes Africa's UN secretary general candidate
Former Senegalese president Macky Sall has been nominated as Africa's candidate for the UN secretary general position, which will become vacant on 1 January 2027 when António Guterres's term ends. He is competing against former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet and Argentinian diplomat Rafael Grossi.
7 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliamentary uranium project recommendation sparks heated controversy
A parliamentary standing committee recommended allowing Rosatom to proceed with uranium exploration and mining in the Stampriet Artesian Basin, arguing the project could help gather scientific data on natural contamination. The recommendation has drawn criticism from former agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein and farming groups, who warn the project could permanently damage the aquifer—Namibia's key drinking water source for the arid south—and lack scientific grounding, while supporters cite potential economic benefits and Rosatom's expertise.
7 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 March

Parliamentary committee endorses Rosatom uranium project in Leonardville
Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has backed uranium exploration by Russian state-owned Rosatom in the Omaheke region, citing potential for billions in investment and thousands of jobs, though the project faces resistance from environmentalists and farmers concerned about groundwater contamination.
5 March 2026 · New Era →

Wednesday 4 March

Omaheke uranium project awaits IAEA assessment before government decision
The government is seeking an independent technical assessment from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) before deciding on Headspring Investments' application to conduct four-year test mining using in-situ leaching in the Omaheke region. Environmental Commissioner Timoteus Mufeti said the decision will prioritise science-based evaluation of impacts on the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System and community rights, with the IAEA's technical report expected to undergo inter-ministerial review before March.
4 March 2026 · New Era →

Monday 2 March

IAEA assessment underway for Leonardville uranium project
The Environmental Commissioner confirmed no final decision has been made on the proposed uranium in-situ leach mining project in Leonardville, Omaheke Region. The government is awaiting a technical assessment from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which conducted an independent review mission in February 2026 to evaluate environmental, groundwater, health and safety impacts before the government decides whether to proceed.
2 March 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 1 March

Global wars drive oil prices affecting Namibia's economy
Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused Namibian fuel prices to rise 83% between April 2021 and February 2022, driving inflation from 3.1% to 4.8% and forcing interest rate increases that burden households and businesses. Current unrest in Iran and tensions in the Middle East pose similar risks to Namibia's oil-dependent economy, with prolonged price spikes potentially damaging growth.
1 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 26 February

Government says Omaheke uranium decision will rest on science
Namibia's environment ministry will base its decision on a proposed uranium mining project in Omaheke on scientific findings, not politics, the government said. The project—an in-situ leach mining operation by Headsprings Investments (under Russian state-owned Rosatom)—has raised concerns about contamination of the Stampriet aquifer, which supplies water to the region and neighbouring countries. The government has requested a technical assessment from the International Atomic Energy Agency, which will deliver its report in March.
26 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 February

Headspring ready to act on IAEA uranium mining review
Headspring Investments says it will implement recommendations from the International Atomic Energy Agency following the agency's technical review of its proposed in-situ recovery uranium mining project in the Omaheke Region earlier this month. The company emphasises that the extraction method is water-efficient and widely used globally, and pledges to install observation wells for real-time monitoring of groundwater safety.
24 February 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 9 February

Ministry prioritises oncology services expansion to northern Namibia
Health Minister Esperance Luvindao announced that the Ministry of Health will establish oncology services in Oshakati this year, with three specialist oncologists earmarked for the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital as part of efforts to decentralise cancer care and reduce treatment waiting times to a maximum of six weeks. The Ministry also plans to develop radiotherapy capacity, procure new brachytherapy equipment, and ensure availability of essential chemotherapy medicines.
9 February 2026 · Informanté →
Hungary begins construction of EU's first VVER-1200 nuclear plant
Hungary has begun construction of the Paks II nuclear power plant, marking the first facility in the European Union to feature third-generation VVER-1200 reactors. The project, built with Russian technology through Rosatom, received construction permits in November 2025 and represents a strategic development for Hungary's nuclear energy sector.
9 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 February

Health minister accepts cancer donation at Windhoek hospital
Health Minister Esperance Luvindao accepted a donation from the Ohlthaver & List Group of Companies to support cancer control efforts at Windhoek Central Hospital on International Cancer Day. The ministry is developing a comprehensive National Cancer Control Programme, expanding oncology services to northern regions, and working to detect cancer at earlier stages when treatment is more effective and cost-efficient.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 4 February

Namibia has only one public sector oncologist
Health Minister Esperance Luvindao says Namibia has only one specialist oncologist in the public health sector, with six more in private practice, creating long waiting times and late-stage cancer diagnoses. The government is finalising a national cancer control programme and plans to decentralise services to northern regions, while four oncologists are being trained abroad to strengthen public sector capacity.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 26 January

Namibia pursuing nuclear energy to address power shortage
Dr Kaire Mbuende, Director-General of Namibia's National Planning Commission, said the country cannot ignore nuclear energy generation given its status as Africa's largest uranium producer. He cited energy insecurity—with less than 60% of the population having electricity access and 60% of supply imported—as justification for pursuing nuclear alongside renewables, oil and gas, and small modular reactors, all under an IAEA-compliant national strategy.
26 January 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 24 January

Namibia pursues nuclear power through global partnerships and strategy
Namibia is advancing plans to develop nuclear power generation through international partnerships and compliance with global benchmarks, with the National Planning Commission director noting the move aims to diversify the mining sector, reduce electricity imports, and capture greater value from uranium production. The government has approved a National Nuclear Industry Strategy that includes establishing a Nuclear Institute of Namibia and transferring atomic energy administration to the National Planning Commission.
24 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 23 January

Namibia-Russia ties shift from ideology to economic strategy
An editorial argues that Namibia's recent ministerial visit to Russia marks a pragmatic shift from historical solidarity to practical economic cooperation, with bilateral trade nearly doubling in 2024 and new opportunities in uranium, agriculture, and value-added manufacturing.
23 January 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 20 January

Namibia and Russia deepen economic ties with energy cooperation
Following a Moscow visit by Namibia's International Relations Minister, the two countries are shifting their historic political relationship toward structured economic partnership. Discussions centred on mining, energy, agriculture, and logistics, with particular focus on uranium cooperation through Russia's Rosatom, which plans exploration by 2026 and commercial mining by 2029, while bilateral trade nearly doubled in 2024 to US$11.7 million.
20 January 2026 · New Era →