Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Namibia this week, the final African stop on his five-nation tour, as India looks to strengthen ties with Africa’s top uranium producer and a key player in the continent’s mineral economy.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Namibia, finalizing his five-nation African tour.
- India aims to secure critical minerals like uranium, lithium, and cobalt for energy and technology needs.
- Discussions will include cooperation in mining, trade facilitation, and technology agreements in fintech.
Modi’s stop in Namibia follows a visit to Ghana and is scheduled between key engagements in Brazil for the BRICS summit, highlighting New Delhi’s intent to elevate strategic partnerships in Africa alongside its multilateral global agenda.
In Ghana, India’s PM, Modi, secured a high-stakes deal on rare earth mineral mining, highlighting New Delhi’s push to access critical resources like uranium, lithium, and cobalt to support its EV ambitions and clean energy transition amid China’s dominance.
Bilateral trade between India and Namibia stood at approximately $814 million in 2023–24, with Indian exports accounting for more than half. Indian investments in Namibia are estimated at nearly $800 million, primarily in the mining sector, including zinc and diamonds.
During his stay in the capital, Windhoek, Prime Minister Modi will hold bilateral talks with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and address a joint sitting of Namibia’s Parliament.
According to Indian media agency DD News, a key highlight of the visit will be the signing of a technology agreement enabling unified payment interoperability between the two countries. The initiative, backed by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, aims to boost cooperation in the fintech and digital sectors
With limited domestic reserves, India is working to secure stable supplies through global partnerships and investments, aiming to reduce reliance on imports and strengthen its strategic autonomy.
India’s interests in Namibia’s mineral
Namibia, Africa’s largest uranium producer and the world’s third-largest overall, has emerged as an increasingly attractive partner for countries seeking to diversify critical mineral supply chains away from dominant players like China.
In addition to uranium, Namibia holds significant reserves of lithium and rare earth elements, resources vital to India’s ambitions in electric vehicles, battery storage, and nuclear energy.
India seeks critical minerals to support its clean energy transition, tech manufacturing, and national security goals. These minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths, are essential for EV batteries, solar panels, and electronics.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, both sides are expected to explore expanded cooperation in mining, technology transfer, and trade facilitation.
Discussions are also likely to include potential long-term uranium supply agreements, as India aims to scale up its civilian nuclear power capacity.
According to The Times of India, Modi’s visit could also pave the way for more direct engagement in the diamond sector.
Namibia, home to the world’s richest marine diamond deposits estimated at over 80 million carats, does not currently sell rough diamonds directly to India.
Instead, these gems are routed through global trade hubs like London and Antwerp before reaching Indian markets. A shift in this trade dynamic could significantly benefit India’s diamond industry.
India’s outreach to Namibia comes amid a broader geopolitical recalibration, with major powers competing for influence in resource-rich African states.
For Namibia, the visit presents an opportunity to deepen bilateral ties with Asia’s third-largest economy, attract fresh investment, and strengthen its position in global mineral diplomacy.
