US Delegation Seeks Energy and Mineral Partnerships in Namibia

A senior United States delegation led by Ambassador John Giordano and Deputy Under Secretary of Energy Mike Kopp conducted a week of meetings in Namibia to expand cooperation on energy, critical minerals, and infrastructure. The delegation met with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Mines Minister Modestus Amutse, and representatives from state-owned enterprises to secure supply chains for uranium and rare earth elements.

Discussions focused on pairing American capital and technology with Namibia's natural resources to foster global energy security. The US explored the potential deployment of American microreactors and small modular reactor technologies to support Namibia's civil nuclear energy ambitions and growing electricity needs for industrialization. To this end, the delegation held talks with the Namibian Atomic Energy Board and the Namibia Power Corporation regarding the national electricity grid.

While the visit reinforced opportunities for partnership in nuclear energy and critical minerals, no formal agreement on the deployment of nuclear technology was announced. The delegation also met with industry leaders from Shell and Rhino Resources to discuss the trajectory of the offshore oil and gas sector, while the United States Trade and Development Agency explored infrastructure projects to strengthen mineral processing and value-added development.