Namibia Minute.
Friday, 11 September 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 11 September 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Also known as: UNCTAD

UN agency that released reports assessing Namibia's potential for critical minerals beneficiation and value-addition manufacturing.

2025-08-042026-09-11

What’s been said

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

  1. June 2026
  2. Windhoek Observer

    United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) published Rapid Assessment identifying 353 products across 23 sectors Namibia could manufacture

    Source

    The analysis draws on a UNCTAD Rapid Assessment published in February 2026 and developed in collaboration with the National Planning Commission.

    Namibia has N$14.5 billion value addition opportunity
  3. May 2026
  4. Windhoek Observer

    United Nations Conference on Trade and Development developed ASYCUDA, a computerised customs management platform

    Source

    ASYCUDA is a computerised customs management platform developed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development to help countries manage customs operations.

    NamRA says old customs system was 11 versions behind
  5. March 2026
  6. Informanté

    United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) published report on Namibia's critical energy transition minerals value chain

    Source

    according to a new report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

    Namibia set to grow in low-carbon minerals market
  7. February 2026
  8. Informanté

    United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) supported the full report on value addition and diversification

    Source

    The full report, made possible with the support of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Government of Japan, is available at https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/tcsditcinf2026d2_en.pdf.

    Namibia launches value addition and diversification report to chart path to sustainable industrialisation
  9. Informanté

    United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) collaborated on critical energy transition minerals value chain diversification report for Namibia

    Source

    The report is the result of a collaboration between the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Government of Namibia.

    Diversification report highlights significant potential for Namibia’s CETM exports to Asia and other key markets
  10. New Era

    UNCTAD launched a new report on Namibia's economic expansion through mineral value addition and diversification

    Source

    The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) yesterday launched a new report outlining how Namibia can expand its economy by adding value to its mineral resources and diversifying into new industries.

    UN maps Nam’s industrial path
  11. New Era

    UNCTAD released a report estimating Namibia could unlock US$900 million and create 26,000 jobs through beneficiation

    Source

    The answer, according to the new UN report, could be transformative – a US$900 million (over N$14 billion) opening and 26 000 livelihoods.

    UN trade chief to spotlight Namibia’s economic potential …could unlock N$14b, 26 000 jobs through beneficiation
  12. New Era

    UNCTAD identified 353 products across 23 sectors Namibia could realistically develop

    Source

    Using economic complexity analysis, it identifies 353 products across 23 sectors that Namibia could realistically develop based on its existing capabilities.

    UN trade chief to spotlight Namibia’s economic potential …could unlock N$14b, 26 000 jobs through beneficiation
  13. August 2025
  14. The Namibian

    United Nations Trade and Development warns policy uncertainty is eroding business confidence and will slow global growth to 2.3% in 2025

    Source

    United Nations Trade and Development warns that policy uncertainty is eroding business confidence and will slow global growth to 2.3% in 2025.

    North Africa Must Look South for Trade
Business

Authorities recover N$73m in taxes over two years

The News

Namibia's finance ministry reported tax recoveries exceeding N$28 million in 2025 and more than N$45 million from a single investigation in 2026. The ministry also released estimates showing illicit financial flows of N$16.7 billion annually between 2021 and 2022, representing about 9% of nominal GDP and causing an estimated N$2.7 billion loss in tax revenue.

3 hours ago · Windhoek Observer

Today

  1. Authorities recover N$73m in taxes over two years

    Namibia's finance ministry reported tax recoveries exceeding N$28 million in 2025 and more than N$45 million from a single investigation in 2026. The ministry also released estimates showing illicit financial flows of N$16.7 billion annually between 2021 and 2022, representing about 9% of nominal GDP and causing an estimated N$2.7 billion loss in tax revenue.

    3 hours ago · Windhoek Observer

Yesterday

  1. Namibia loses N$16.7 billion annually to financial system leaks

    A comprehensive government assessment reveals that illicit financial flows—through tax evasion, trade misinvoicing, corruption, and crime proceeds—cost Namibia approximately N$16.7 billion per year, equivalent to 9% of GDP and 16% of the government budget. Trade misinvoicing is identified as a major channel for illegal fund transfers.

    15 hours ago · The Namibian

Thursday 11 June

  1. Namibia identified with N$14.5 billion manufacturing opportunity

    Simonis Storm analysis shows Namibia could unlock approximately N$14.5 billion in new manufacturing and value-addition activities, citing a trade deficit of N$4.4 billion and identifying 353 products across 23 sectors that the country could potentially manufacture using existing capabilities.

    11 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Tuesday 19 May

  1. NamRA upgrades customs system, resolves border delays

    The Namibia Revenue Agency rolled out version 4.4.1 of the ASYCUDAWorld customs system on 5 May, replacing a system that was operating 11 versions behind. Initial delays at border posts including Katima Mulilo and Ariamsvlei have been resolved, and the system has already processed goods worth N$18 billion.

    19 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer

Tuesday 14 April

  1. South Africa's $11 billion Afreximbank deal deepens African trade

    South Africa's accession to the African Export-Import Bank as its 54th member brings a $11 billion commitment to transform Africa's trade architecture through mineral processing, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure investment. The move positions the continent to retain value in raw materials and access global trade frameworks rather than exporting unprocessed minerals.

    14 April 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 26 March

  1. Namibia poised to grow critical minerals for energy transition

    A UN Conference on Trade and Development report finds that Namibia has significant untapped potential to expand exports of critical energy transition minerals—including lithium, rare earth elements, graphite, copper, manganese, and zinc—used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and battery systems. The report highlights opportunities in value addition and processing, particularly with EU partnerships, and notes projects like the Lofdal Heavy Rare Earths Project could position Namibia as a competitive player in global energy transition value chains.

    26 March 2026 · Informanté

Thursday 26 February

  1. Namibia launches report on value addition and industrial diversification

    Namibia has launched a report on value addition and diversification within the energy transition mineral value chain, aimed at moving the economy beyond an extractive model toward sustainable industrialisation. Minister Ashipala-Musavyi emphasised that diversification must extend to small and medium-sized enterprises, and that regional integration through SADC, SACU and the African Continental Free Trade Area is critical to scaling production and accessing markets.

    26 February 2026 · Informanté

Sunday 22 February

  1. Namibia's CETM exports offer US$221 million opportunity, Asia leads

    A UNCTAD and Government of Namibia report identifies significant export potential in critical energy transition minerals, with 33 CETM-related products worth US$221 million in trade-adjusted global opportunities. Asia dominates market potential at 75.4%, led by China, with chemicals and copper products accounting for 91% of weighted export value.

    22 February 2026 · Informanté

Friday 20 February

  1. UN outlines Namibia's path to add value to minerals

    The UN Conference on Trade and Development launched a report identifying 353 products across 23 sectors that Namibia could produce using existing capabilities, with 165 products validated by the private sector potentially creating over 26,400 jobs. The report emphasises that moving beyond raw material exports through beneficiation in sectors like iron and steel, machinery, and copper processing could support industrial growth and skill development.

    20 February 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 17 February

  1. UN trade chief highlights Namibia's mineral beneficiation opportunities

    A UNCTAD assessment launched by UN Trade and Development Secretary General Rebeca Grynspan in Windhoek estimates that Namibia could unlock over N$14 billion in new economic activity and create around 26,000 jobs by moving beyond raw mineral exports into processing and manufacturing. The report identifies 353 products across 23 sectors that Namibia could realistically develop to add value to its mineral wealth and energy transition mineral resources.

    17 February 2026 · New Era

United Nations Conference on Trade and Development — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute