United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Also known as: UNCTAD

UN agency that released reports on Namibia's critical minerals export potential and industrial diversification opportunities in 2026.

2025-08-042026-10-26

News reports

Order a long-term news report on United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

What’s been said

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

June 2026
11 JunWindhoek 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
May 2026
19 MayWindhoek 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
March 2026
26 MarInformanté
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
February 2026
26 FebInformanté
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
22 FebInformanté
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
20 FebNew 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
17 FebNew 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
17 FebNew 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
August 2025
4 AugThe 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

Namibia lost N$2.7b tax revenue to illicit financial flows

The News

An inaugural government assessment estimates that illicit financial flows worth roughly N$16.7 billion annually—or about 9% of GDP—passed through Namibia during 2021–2022, resulting in an estimated N$2.7 billion in lost tax revenue over the two-year period. The Ministry of Finance released the assessment to strengthen revenue collection and protect the integrity of Namibia's financial system.

14 September 2026 · New Era →

Monday 14 September

Namibia lost N$2.7b tax revenue to illicit financial flows
An inaugural government assessment estimates that illicit financial flows worth roughly N$16.7 billion annually—or about 9% of GDP—passed through Namibia during 2021–2022, resulting in an estimated N$2.7 billion in lost tax revenue over the two-year period. The Ministry of Finance released the assessment to strengthen revenue collection and protect the integrity of Namibia's financial system.
14 September 2026 · New Era →

Friday 11 September

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.
11 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 10 September

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.
10 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 11 June

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 →