Financing Namibia’s mining future: Unlocking unexpected connections

4 August 2025

By JG van Graan, Chief Commercial Officer, Nedbank Namibia

As Namibia hosts the 2025 Mining Expo & Conference, the mining sector stands at a defining, yet exciting dawn. Long regarded as a pillar of the national economy, mining is now being reimagined as a catalyst for inclusive growth, sustainability, and innovation.

At Nedbank Namibia, we believe that the true value of mining lies in the unexpected connections it creates. From job creation in remote communities to infrastructure development and energy transition, mining, when strategically financed, can unlock far-reaching benefits that extend well beyond the mine gate, and certainly deeper than the open pits that often symbolise the impact of mining.

Financing as a strategic enabler

Mining is a capital-intensive, high-stakes industry. It demands long-term vision, technical precision, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory, environmental, and market dynamics. In this context, financing is not a transactional function – it is a strategic enabler.

Over the past year, the Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) Team has worked closely with clients to turn potential into progress. Across the Nedbank scope, we’ve seen a surge in mining finance activity, driven by a shared commitment to purpose-led growth.

Some of our recent mining deals underpins our commitment to supporting transformations that are primed to deliver impact, enable new entrants, expand x operations, and strengthen Namibia’s position in the global mining value chain. Each transaction we support is designed to deliver impact: enabling new entrants, expanding operations, and strengthening Namibia’s position in the global mining value chain.

Connecting capital to purpose

The mining sector’s future depends on more than resource availability. It depends on our ability to connect capital to purpose. This means structuring financial solutions that are not only commercially viable but also socially inclusive and environmentally responsible.

Namibia’s mining landscape is rich with opportunity, from diamonds and gold to critical minerals essential for the green energy transition. But unlocking these resources requires more than geological potential. It requires financial innovation, risk-sharing mechanisms, and sustainability-linked funding that align with global environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.

At Nedbank, we work with clients from the earliest stages of project development to ensure that funding strategies are embedded into their feasibility and execution plans. Our role is to help transform that blueprint into bankable, impactful outcomes.

Unexpected connections: Mining and national development

The theme of this year’s Mining Expo, ‘Mining for Namibia’s future: Job creation, local empowerment, and economic transformation’, resonates deeply with our approach. We’ve seen firsthand how mining finance can create unexpected connections between sectors, regions, and communities.

Take, for example, the ripple effects of a new mining operation in the Erongo region. Beyond the direct employment and export revenue, such a project can stimulate demand for logistics, housing, education, and local enterprise. It can lead to road upgrades, power infrastructure, and digital connectivity. These are the kinds of connections that transform mining from an extractive activity into a developmental engine.

Financing the full mining value chain

Mining is the foundation of a dynamic value chain that spans exploration, development, operations, processing, logistics, and rehabilitation. Each stage presents distinct financing needs and opportunities to stimulate economic activity. Financing and investment into the industry must extend beyond the mine gate. It should support businesses and communities across the entire mining ecosystem, from equipment suppliers and transport operators to engineering firms, training institutions, and local enterprises that service mining operations.

Sustainability at the core

As global expectations shift, sustainability has become a requirement. Investors, regulators, and communities are demanding more transparency, accountability, and long-term value creation. At Nedbank, we support clients in embedding ESG principles into their operations, from renewable energy integration to community engagement and environmental stewardship.

We also recognise that sustainability is not a one-size-fits-all model. Each project requires a tailored approach that balances operational realities with long-term impact. Our financing solutions are aligned with international frameworks and best practices, ensuring that projects not only meet compliance standards but also deliver genuine, measurable outcomes.

Looking ahead: A future built on collaboration

The future of mining in Namibia will be shaped by those who can connect vision with execution, capital with purpose, and innovation with impact. At Nedbank Namibia, we are proud to be part of this journey.

We are not just financing projects; we are financing progress. We are building unexpected connections between sectors, communities, and futures. And we are committed to working alongside our clients, partners, and stakeholders to unlock the full potential of Namibia’s mining sector.

As we gather at the 2025 Mining Expo & Conference, let us reaffirm our shared commitment to a mining industry that is inclusive, sustainable, and transformative. The opportunities are vast and the connections we make today will define the Namibia we build tomorrow.

About the author

Effective 22 May 2025. JG van Graan was appointed as the Chief Commercial Officer at Nedbank Namibia – a newly established executive role that reflects the group’s strategic evolution. In this capacity JG oversees the integration of all client-facing divisions, including Retail Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), Business Banking, SME services, Private Wealth, NedLoans, and Treasury, under a unified commercial leadership structure.

Before this, JG led Retail and Business Banking from 2023, having served in an acting capacity since 2022 while concurrently holding the position of Chief Financial Officer. He joined the Nedbank Namibia Holdings Group in 2018 from Ernst & Young, where he was a partner responsible for the advisory and financial services sectors in Namibia.

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Photo caption:  Nedbank Namibia Chief Commercial Officer, JG van Graan.

For more information contact:
Selma Kaulinge
Communications and Public Relations Manager
Nedbank Namibia
Email: selmaka2@nedbank.com.na
Website: nedbank.com.na