By Emeka Blast 
India Moves to Source Uranium from Namibia for Nuclear Energy Needs
India is set to import uranium from Namibia, a move aimed at securing fuel for its expanding nuclear power program, as announced by India’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Rahul Shrivastava, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Windhoek on July 9. The initiative, part of a broader push to strengthen energy security, revives a 2009 civil nuclear agreement and positions Namibia as a key partner in India’s quest for critical minerals, with discussions also covering oil, gas, and defense cooperation.
Speaking to ANI, Shrivastava emphasized India’s interest in Namibia’s vast uranium reserves, noting that the African nation is the world’s fourth-largest uranium producer. “We are looking at the export of uranium from Namibia to India,” he said, highlighting its strategic importance for India’s 22 operational nuclear reactors and ambitious plans to build 18 more by 2032. India’s nuclear capacity, currently at 7,480 MW, is projected to triple by 2030, necessitating reliable uranium supplies to reduce dependence on Russia, Canada, and Kazakhstan, which supplied 4458 metric tonnes of uranium from 2008 to 2016, per government data.
Namibia’s commitment to supply uranium for peaceful purposes echoes a 2016 pledge during President Pranab Mukherjee’s visit, when Namibian President Hage Geingob vowed to explore “legal ways” for uranium exports. The 2009 civil nuclear deal, yet to be fully operational due to Namibia’s non-ratification of the Pelindaba Treaty, is expected to gain momentum following Modi’s talks with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Posts on X hailed the move as a “clean energy boost” and a “strategic Africa partnership,” with users like @SouleFacts noting its alignment with India’s Global South leadership.
Beyond uranium, India is eyeing Namibia’s recent offshore oil and gas discoveries in the Orange Basin, led by TotalEnergies and Shell, and its rich deposits of lithium, cobalt, and rare earth minerals critical for electric vehicles and renewable energy. Indian public sector giants like ONGC Videsh and Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) are exploring investments, with NPCIL previously considering stakes in African uranium mines. Defense ties are also on the agenda, with Namibia seeking Indian equipment like surveillance systems and armored vehicles, alongside capacity-building through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation program.
Modi’s one-day visit, the third by an Indian prime minister to Namibia, includes delegation-level talks, a tribute at Heroes Acre to Namibia’s founding father Dr. Sam Nujoma, and an address to the Namibian Parliament. Discussions on Project Cheetah 2, aiming to translocate more cheetahs to India for ecological balance, further underscore the multifaceted partnership. Shrivastava called the visit a “reaffirmation of trust,” building on India’s early support for Namibia’s independence in 1990.
As global competition for critical minerals intensifies, India’s outreach to Namibia signals a strategic pivot to diversify energy and resource supplies. However, challenges remain, including Namibia’s regulatory hurdles and India’s need to balance environmental concerns with nuclear expansion. The visit, part of Modi’s five-nation Global South tour, is poised to unlock new economic and strategic avenues, reinforcing India’s role as a key African ally.
