Archive · 11 Aug 2026
India, Namibia identify critical minerals as key bilateral cooperation area
India and Namibia are two countries that have decided to become better friends and business partners.
They want to work together on special minerals called "critical minerals," like lithium and copper.
These minerals are used to make things like batteries, phones, and clean energy.
The two countries met in New Delhi, India, in August to talk about their plans.
They agreed to work together from digging minerals out of the ground to turning them into finished products.
This is good for Namibia because it will create more jobs there and help the country build things itself.
It is also good for India because it needs a steady supply of these important minerals.
The two countries also plan to work together on health care, digital payments, clean energy, and trains.
Their trade together is growing and reached almost $593 million in the latest year.
India is also making bigger trade plans with several countries in southern Africa.
India and Namibia identified critical minerals—including lithium, graphite, copper, cobalt, and rare earth elements—as a key area of bilateral economic cooperation.
The fourth session of the India-Namibia Joint Trade Committee was held in New Delhi on 10-11 August.
Bilateral merchandise trade grew to $592.94 million in 2025-26, up from $568.40 million in 2024-25.
Invest India and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board were designated as investment focal points.
The terms of reference for an India-Southern African Customs Union preferential trade agreement are scheduled for signature on 12 August.
- Who
- India and Namibia, meeting at the fourth session of the India-Namibia Joint Trade Committee.
- What
- The countries identified critical minerals and other sectors—including services, healthcare, digital payments, energy, and infrastructure—as key areas of bilateral trade and investment cooperation.
- When
- The Joint Trade Committee session was held on 10-11 August, with the India-SACU preferential trade agreement terms of reference set for signature on 12 August.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To secure strategic mineral supplies important for India's clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and technology industries, while supporting value addition and local employment creation in Namibia.
- Bilateral trade (2025-26)
- $592.94 million
- Bilateral trade (2024-25)
- $568.40 million
- India's exports to Namibia (2025-26)
- $349.09 million
- India's imports from Namibia (2025-26)
- $243.85 million
- Engineering goods export growth
- 124.06% (to $30.24 million)
- Pharmaceutical and medical device exports
- $36.50 million
- Joint Trade Committee session
- Fourth session, New Delhi, 10-11 August
- WayaMe launch in Namibia
- 15 June, built on India's Unified Payments Interface