Overview

Namibia is one of the most fascinating and diverse countries in the world, and is situated in southern Africa, with a total area measurement of 825,615 km2 and a population of 2.55 million people (2020). The western border of the country meets the Atlantic Ocean while its land borders are shared with Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. Namibia is the driest country in sub-Saharan Africa and its capital and largest city is Windhoek, which, at last count (in 2020), sported a population of 431,000.

The country is a multi-party parliamentary democracy, and has a small and relatively open economy that is rich in mineral resources. The gross domestic product (‘GDP’) of the country advanced by 3.5% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2022, following an upwardly revised 3.5% rise in the previous period. Agriculture, tourism and mining of gem diamonds, uranium, gold, silver and base metals forms the foundation of its economy. Mining provides 25% of Namibia’s revenue and is the country’s single most important contributor to its economy.

As the fourth-largest exporter of non-fuel minerals in Africa and the fourth-largest producer of uranium in the world, the country invested significantly in its uranium mining as well as diamonds, of which it is a primary source for gem-quality diamond deposits. However, the country also boasts large deposits of other minerals, including lead, tungsten, gold, tin, fluorspar, manganese, marble, copper, zinc and iron ore.