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Namibia’s Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, has called for the implementation of more robust competition policies to ensure that the nation’s mining and energy sectors provide greater benefits to local businesses. Speaking at the 2026 African Competition Forum Biennial Conference held in Windhoek, the Minister emphasized that fair competition is essential for transforming the country’s natural resource wealth into sustainable economic development. He noted that while major investments are flowing into these critical sectors, the regulatory framework must be strong enough to protect domestic players and foster an inclusive economic environment.
The Minister highlighted the necessity of aligning Namibia’s industrial, trade, and procurement policies with core competition principles. By doing so, the government aims to create a more level playing field where local companies can effectively compete for contracts and participation in the supply chains of multinational mining and energy firms. Amutse also pointed out that as the global economy evolves, African governments must enhance their regulatory capacity to address emerging challenges. Specifically, he identified the rapid growth of digitalization and artificial intelligence as areas where competition authorities need to be proactive to prevent market distortions.
Looking toward the future, the Namibian government has set ambitious targets for its extractive industries to support its broader strategy of industrialization. Amutse reiterated the country's goal to significantly increase the share of processed mineral exports and local equity participation in mining ventures by 2030. By moving away from the export of raw materials and encouraging local value addition, the government hopes to create jobs and ensure that the wealth generated from the country’s mineral resources remains within its borders to benefit its citizens.