METI Minister Nishimura Visits the Republic of Namibia and Signs a Joint Statement on Cooperation in the Mining Sector with H.E. Mr. Thomas Kavaningilamo Alweendo, Minister of Mines and Energy, and a Joint Statement on Cooperation in Improving Investment Environment and Economic Relationship with H.E. Ms. Lucia Iipumbu, Minister of Industrialization and Trade

1. Outline

On August 8 (Tue.), 2023, Minister Nishimura held a meeting with Minister Alweendo and Minister Iipumbu. The ministers discussed cooperation to further strengthen ties in the fields of mining, and hydrogen and ammonia, as well as in trade and investment. As outcomes of the discussions, Minister Nishimura signed a joint statement each with Minister Alweendo and Minister Iipumbu, as shown in the Appendices.

2. Key points of the joint statements

(1) Joint statement on cooperation in the mining sector with Minister Alweendo

• The two ministers affirmed that the following principles are important for expanding bilateral cooperation in the mining sector in the future.
  1. Securing critical minerals essential for energy transitions, while addressing economic security risks caused by monopolization and lack of diversity in supply chains;
  2. Creating responsible and resilient supply chains of critical minerals by applying higher Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) standards and committing to open, transparent, rule- and market-based trade in critical minerals, as well as by opposing market-distorting measures and monopolistic policies on critical minerals;
  3. Developing concrete, mutually beneficial projects through a step-by-step approach, including information sharing, mutual visits and technical cooperation; and
  4. Cooperating not only in the development of mining projects themselves but also in the development of human resources, infrastructure, and supply chains necessary for mining projects.
• Based on these principles, the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Namibia agreed to cooperatively formulate the Namibia Rare Earth Industry Master Plan as a result of the Scope of Works between Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security and the Ministry of Mines and Energy of the Republic of Namibia on Research on the Namibian Rare Earth Metals Supply Chain, which both parties would sign, and the two ministers agreed to cooperate to realize the master plan.
• The two ministers agreed to organize a seminar on investment in Namibia’s mining sector in Japan hopefully in one year as the next step to deepen bilateral cooperation.
• In addition, the ministers also held discussions on the potential for cooperation in the field of clean hydrogen.

(2) Joint statement on cooperation in improving investment environment and economic relationship with Minister Iipumbu

• The two ministers affirmed their commitments to enhancing trade and economic cooperation between Japan and Namibia. In addition, Namibia expressed appreciation for the interest shown by Japanese companies in exploring business opportunities in Namibia, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, including hydrogen, and the healthcare sector.
• The ministers welcomed the efforts for strengthening cooperative ties to promote bilateral economic and business activities through the exchange of relevant information and other related cooperative activities in the field of business.
• To stimulate further cooperation between companies in both countries, the ministers agreed to seek potential collaborations among the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and relevant ministries and organizations in Namibia, in areas such as:
  1. Supporting trade and investment between Japan and Namibia;
  2. Supporting collaboration between Namibian and Japanese business sectors, including business mission dispatch in the fields of interest to companies;
  3. Supporting human resources development that contributes to Namibia’s industrialization; and
  4. Improving the business environment in both countries.

3. Signing documents witnessed by Minister Nishimura

Minister Nishimura witnessed the signing of the following documents after he signed the two joint statements in Item 2 above.

(1) Signing the Scope of W orks on Research on the Namibian Rare Earth Metals Supply Chain by JOGMEC and the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Namibia

(2) Signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on hydrogen and ammonia by Itochu Corporation and Hyphen Hydrogen Energy

(3) Signing a letter of intent (LOI) on hydrogen, ammonia, and other resources by Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd., and the Green Hydrogen Commissioner of Namibia

Related Materials

• Joint Statement on Cooperation in the Mining Sector Between The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and The Minister of Mines and Energy of the Republic of Namibia(PDF:67KB)
• Joint Statement Between the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Minister of Industrialization and Trade of the Republic of Namibia on Cooperation in Improving Investment Environment and Economic Relationship(PDF:136KB)

Division in Charge

Information on the joint statement on cooperation in the mining sector:

Mineral and Natural Resources Division, Natural Resources and Fuel Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy

Information on the joint statement on cooperation in improving the investment environment and economic relationship:

Africa Office, Middle East and Africa Division, Trade Policy Bureau