Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Namibia on Wednesday (9 July),marking the final leg of his five-nation tour with a visit focused on securing critical minerals and deepening digital and defense cooperation.
This is the first visit by an Indian prime minister since Namibia’s independence in 1990. Namibia,Africa’s top uranium producer and home to vast reserves of lithium,rare earths,and marine diamonds,has emerged as a key partner in India’s clean energy and tech ambitions. Modi’s talks with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah are expected to revive long-stalled uranium trade discussions and lay the groundwork for long-term agreements in mining and supply chain collaboration. A major highlight of the visit is the official rollout of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Namibia — an initiative to boost financial inclusion and cement India’s digital leadership in the Global South.
India also seeks to bypass traditional diamond trade hubs like Antwerp by initiating direct imports from Namibia,a move that could cut costs and strengthen its world-leading polishing industry. Both countries are also expected to sign fresh MoUs in healthcare,digital training,education and defense,including a new Centre of Excellence in IT to train Namibian youth and civil servants in digital governance and cybersecurity. With Indian investments in Namibia nearing $800 million — primarily in mining — Modi’s visit symbolizes a strategic pivot toward Africa. From clean energy to fintech,New Delhi is positioning itself as a long-term partner,aiming to reduce its reliance on dominant players like China and fuel its energy transition with African resources.
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