STAFF WRITER
European Union Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Jessika Roswall has announced the approval of a N$78 million project between the Geological Survey of Finland and the Andrada Uis Mine that will unlock opportunities for value addition of Namibian Lithium products.
Speaking at the official opening of the second edition of the Namibia-EU Business Forum underway in Windhoek on Tuesday Roswall said the investment targets one of the most strategic bottlenecks in the global battery supply chain which will unlock lithium at commercially viable cost and grade.
She said the EU will continue to partner with Namibia in the aread of green hydrogen with special attention on the implementation of sustainable environmental management methods.
“By bringing Finnish geological excellence to Namibian soil, we are not just developing a mine, we are accompanying Namibia on its path to become a central actor in global battery value chains,” said.
The EU diplomat said for decades, Africa exported raw materials and imported finished goods -m failing to accrue maximum benefits from its natural resources in the process.
“Thanks to projects like this one, that era is coming to an end. I am also delighted that additional support will be signed tomorrow with the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, the Lüderitz Town Council and the Namibia Standard Institute.
But this Forum is about more than just critical raw materials – as important as they
Are,” she said
According to Roswall Namibia has an opportunity to insert itself into global automobile manufacturing supply chains, generating skilled, sustainable employment at scale.
She said Namibia has competitive advantage in agribusiness especially in livestock, horticulture and food processing which are well established but still underleveraged.
“European markets represent a direct and accessible opportunity for Namibian
producers – and we must do more to leverage it. And in the creative industries, a sector too often overlooked, Namibia possesses extraordinary cultural wealth and a young, talented population,”she said.Roswall said a healthy environment and a competitive circular economy are so central to our EU-Namibia partnership, particularly our cooperation on green hydrogen and Critical Raw Materials
“Our Strategic Partnership on sustainable raw material value chains and renewable Hydrogen is good for both parties: Green industrialisation creates sustainable jobs for Namibians. And they help Europe transition to a low carbon economy,” she said.
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