Namibia to join Nuclear Suppliers Group

Cabinet has endorsed Namibia joining the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) of countries that oppose the proliferation of nuclear weapons and encourage the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The NSG is a group of 48 nuclear supplier countries that seeks to contribute to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons through the implementation of two sets of guidelines for nuclear exports and nuclear-related exports, according to its website (nuclearsuppliersgroup.org). “The NSG guidelines aim to ensure that nuclear trade for peaceful purposes does not contribute to the proliferation of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, and that international trade and cooperation in the nuclear field is not hindered unjustly in the process,” the site reads.The guidelines and additional information on the NSG, including the results of recent plenary meetings and an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) information circular document titled “The Nuclear Suppliers Group: Its Guidelines, Origins, Structure, and Role”, (INFCIRC/539 rev. 8), can be found on the website. Good practices documents, including the recently added “NSG Awareness Raising Document,” in the “National Practices” section, which provides insight and information on the importance of responsible nuclear supplier behaviour and effective export controls, are also posted on the site.Technical updatesAccording to the latest Namibian cabinet decisions released on Thursday last week, the Ministry of International Relations and Trade has been tasked to coordinate technical updates to the dossier and to act as a focal point for the application.Further, the ministry must establish an inter-ministerial committee tasked with the implementation of the NSG guidelines. In addition, the cabinet also approved that a delegation at ministerial level will attend the IAEA general conference in Vienna, Austria, scheduled for 15 to 19 September 2025. At the conference, the delegation will be tasked to lobby the director general of the agency, Rafael Mariano Grossi, as well as the chairperson of the NSG, Ambassador Xolisa Mabhongo from South Africa, “to favourably consider Namibia’s application to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group,” the official government release reads.Furthermore, the cabinet has authorised the line ministry to establish a national independent regulator and mechanisms of safeguards, safety and security.The latest steps follow President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s public calls for Namibia to establish nuclear energy generation in the country. Namibia is a top exporter of uranium, which is enriched and used to fuel nuclear power generation worldwide, but remains an importer of electricity, unable to meet its own needs, while advocating for the end of energy poverty in Africa, and the sub-continent in particular.First stepsOne of the first steps that the president made public was to assign the Office of the Prime Minister to establish a Nuclear Power Committee to spearhead preparations. Sources in the prime minister’s office have confirmed that the committee has been established, although the names of the committee members have not yet been made public.Meanwhile, South African company Stratek Global Advances Energy Solutions announced late last month that it is in discussions with the municipality of Walvis Bay, regarding a proposal for an Oryx-design HTMR-100 Small (Nuclear) Modular Reactor to be built to power an oil refinery at the town.These discussions were confirmed by the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy spokesperson Ten Hasheela, although she warned that: "Namibia does not have legislation that regulates the nuclear industry and the government is busy with the drafting of such legislation.”However, industry insiders say that progress has been made regarding the needed legislation, and with the president's support, faster progress is anticipated.Stratek said that the Walvis Bay town council has allocated Portion 46 - a 305-hectare parcel of industrial land for the project, pending environmental and statutory approvals.“There is no reason why we cannot collaborate with Namibia to refine and beneficiate their resources to supply a region hungry for development,” said Olivia Vaughan, director of commercial affairs for Stratek Global.

Namibia to join Nuclear Suppliers Group

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-30

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Namibia to join Nuclear Suppliers Group

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-30

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