Published on 31 May, 2026
Strengthening Strategic Raw Materials Cooperation
The CRM-Facility participated at the EU–Namibia Business Forum in May 2026, and also undertook a field visit across Namibia highlighted the country’s growing importance as a strategic partner for Europe in the field of critical raw materials (CRMs). Discussions and site visits confirmed Namibia’s strong project pipeline, improving infrastructure ecosystem and increasing alignment with EU sustainability and industrial objectives.
A key focus of the forum was the role Namibia can play in supporting diversified and resilient European supply chains for minerals such as lithium, graphite, tantalum, tin, manganese and rare earth elements. The panel discussion on “Unlocking Value Across CRM Value Chains” emphasized the importance of accelerating project development, strengthening regional logistics corridors and fostering long-term EU–Africa industrial cooperation.
Mining site visits
Several site visits showcased promising projects and infrastructure developments. At Andrada Mining, ongoing work on tin, tantalum and lithium projects demonstrated increasing European engagement, including partnerships with Schott (Germany), SQM and technology cooperation with GTK and Metso on zero-waste mining solutions. Northern Graphite presented its Okanjande graphite operation and downstream ambitions in Europe, including a battery anode materials plant in France and R&D activities in Germany.
A regional gateway
The importance of logistics and industrial infrastructure was also highlighted through visits to Walvis Bay and discussions with the Ports of Antwerp-Bruges and Rotterdam. Expansions of port facilities and transport corridors are positioning Namibia as an increasingly important regional gateway for critical raw materials from Southern Africa, including Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
The visit also highlighted innovative industrial initiatives such as HyIron’s zero-emissions iron briquette pilot plant, powered by solar energy, batteries and hydrogen, as well as emerging refining projects for manganese and sulfuric acid production.
Conclusion and next steps
The overall conclusion of the mission was that Namibia offers strong potential for deeper EU cooperation in critical raw materials and green industrial value chains. Key challenges remain in financing, water availability, logistics and global market competitiveness. As a next step, preparations are underway for a dedicated business mission planned for Q4 to further strengthen cooperation between European and Namibian stakeholders.
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