PAUL T. SHIPALE (with inputs by Folito Nghitongovali Diawara Gaspar)
The intricate tapestry of international relations frequently reveals paradoxes that defy apparent logic. At the epicenter of such an enigma lies Namibia, an African nation blessed with vast uranium reserves, a mineral of unquestionable strategic importance for the growing demand for nuclear energy.
However, despite its prominent position as the third global supplier of Uranium, which is also used in researcher reactors for cancer treatment, followed by Niger in Africa at sixth position globally out of 195 countries, 85% of which do not even have Uranium like Estonia, Cyprus etc. yet sit in the NSG Committee that focuses on control, coordinate and export of all unclear related material, technology and equipment, Namibia’s voice in the formulation of international policies governing the use, trade, and governance of this vital resource remains notably silenced.
Crucial decisions, as we well know, are orchestrated by nuclear powers and consumer nations in arenas such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). This dichotomy, where the wealth of African soil is extracted to fuel the energy ambitions of others, while the inherent challenges of its exploitation disproportionately fall upon the producing nation, demands in-depth analysis and a re-evaluation of paradigms.
Given that in September 2025 there will be an IAEA general conference in Vienna, Namibia will apply to be part of the NSG, which was established in 1974 and now comprises of 48 members. Namibia’s first application in 2016 was iced and hopefully this time around, it will be seriously considered in order for the country to have strategic leverage in geopolitics using this naturally endowed vital mineral resource.
The Asymmetry of Power: Raw Material Suppliers vs. Policy Architects
The prevailing narrative in the global energy landscape has relegated African nations to the role of mere raw material extractors. Namibia, with its substantial contribution to the uranium market, undoubtedly strengthens its economy through tax revenues and attracting foreign investment. However, it is imperative to question: does this contribution translate into equitable influence at the decision-making tables? The answer, regrettably, is no. The guidelines governing nuclear trade and non-proliferation are established by a consortium of nations that have historically consolidated their technological and military power. This asymmetry is not a mere coincidence, but a reflection of the persistence of structures that perpetuate economic and technological dependence, where benefits are centralized and burdens are decentralized.
The NSG and the Eligibility Dilemma: A Question of Capacity or Deliberate Exclusion?
The Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), an informal arrangement of 48 nations, has as its stated objective the prevention of nuclear proliferation through the control of sensitive technology exports. Namibia and Niger, both signatories to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), fulfill a fundamental prerequisite for membership. However, their full participation is hindered by the absence of a complete nuclear value chain. These countries, despite being major uranium producers, predominantly export uranium concentrate, the so-called yellowcake, lacking the infrastructure for beneficiation, refining, and enrichment. The NSG, in turn, is composed of nations with developed nuclear fuel cycles and the capacity to export high-value-added technologies. This leads us to a crucial inquiry: why are nations with the largest uranium reserves systematically excluded from a group that dictates the rules of their trade and use, under the pretext of a technological deficiency that, in many cases, was imposed or made difficult to develop by these very powers? Is this a question of technical capacity or a veiled strategy to maintain the status quo of dependence and subordination?
Towards Sovereignty and Inclusion: A Pan-Africanist Vision
For Namibia and other African uranium-producing nations to transcend the role of mere suppliers and assume their rightful position as policymakers, a comprehensive strategy aligned with the principles of Pan-Africanism is imperative. This requires substantial investment in infrastructure to move beyond raw export, advancing to refining, enrichment, and eventually, nuclear fuel production. The exploration of uranium for domestic use, through small modular reactors and scientific research, represents a fundamental step towards energy diversification and the strengthening of internal technological capacity. The consolidation of regional alliances, such as the African Union and the Treaty of Pelindaba, and the creation of a platform for African producing countries (Namibia, Niger, Malawi, South Africa) are essential to amplify the continent’s voice on the global stage. Diplomatically, it is crucial to intensify presence at the IAEA and advocate for greater participation in the NSG, promoting an image of a reliable supplier committed to non-proliferation, but also demanding equity and recognition. Strategic partnerships that prioritize technology transfer and human capital development are vital to building local capacity. Finally, a change in narrative is imperative: uranium must be claimed as a sovereign resource, essential for the global energy transition, and international forums, such as COP, must be used to demand the inclusion of producing countries in the formulation of global nuclear energy policies. Sovereignty over natural resources is, ultimately, the cornerstone for the autonomous development and prosperity of the African continent.
Conclusion: An Imperative for African Self-Determination
Namibia, and by extension, the African continent, confronts a fundamental dilemma, the wealth of resources sharply contrasts with the scarcity of influence over the destiny of these very resources. The exclusion of African uranium-producing nations from forums like the NSG cannot be seen merely as a technical matter; it is, rather, a manifestation of a global power structure that demands to be challenged and reconfigured. Pan-Africanism offers the conceptual framework and the driving force for this struggle for sovereignty and self-determination. The transformation of uranium from a mere commodity into a national and African strategic asset is the central challenge. Only through collective action, assertive diplomacy, and continuous investment in technological capacity will African nations be able to assume their rightful place as decisive partners in the global governance of nuclear energy, ensuring that the continent’s wealth primarily benefits its own people.
Namibia and Botswana are seeking to build a $4 billion joint oil refinery which is expected to process between 60 000 and 100 000 of crude oil per day and produce essential fuel such as petrol, diesel, Kerosene and Jet fuel. The refinery will be build near Walvis Bay in Namibia and Ghanzi in Botswana and will also supply fuel to neighboring land locked countries like Zimbabwe, Zambia and the DRC. This is a good collaborative initiative which shows good neighborliness between the two countries. In addition, Ghana made 5 billion dollars in 6 months from selling its gold directly and made 900 million in foreign currency. These initiatives by our leaders should be applauded as they show that Africa is asserting herself and now has some good leaders who are willing to make sure that Africa’s resources are used for the good of her people.
We are also particularly pleased that the AU is no longer going to dance to the tunes of Western countries as a Puppet and unleashed a bombshell report that has left the world reeling with shock and the west scrambling for cover. For centuries the West lied to us about the true size of Africa using a distorted map to shrink our continent, our power and our potential but no more. The AU has exposed the Mercator project as a colonial scam designed to belittle Africa and keep us underfoot.
This is not just a map correction. Is a revolution, a reclamation of our identity and a clarion call for Africa to rise as a giant it has always been. The West caught red handed in a 450 years old deception has nowhere to hide their shame, Africa is awake and the world will never be the same again. The AU has boldly endorsed the Correct the Map Campaign demanding that governments, international organizations and media outlets abandon the Mercator map, a 16th century relic crafted by Flemish cartographer Gerardus Mercator and adopt the 2018 Equal Earth Projection which accurately reflects Africa’s true size. The Map of Africa is now showcased as so vast it can swallow the USA, China, India, the UK, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and still have some room to spare.
Africa’s true size is 30.37 million square kilometers or 11.73 million square miles. This means Africa’s true size can encompass several major nations of the world. This is no mere cartographic adjustment. Is a declaration of war against the lie that shaped perceptions, policies and power dynamics for centuries since the Mercator Projection was created in 1569 for maritime navigation and which grotesquely distorts the size of land masses near the poles, inflating Europe, North America and Greenland while shrinking Equatorial regions like Africa and South America.
As a result, Africa, the world second largest continent spanning 30.37 million square kilometers and home to 54 nations and over 1.4 billion people appears smaller than Greenland, which is 14 times smaller in reality. Imagine the audacity of this lie. A continent vast enough to hold the world’s so called superpowers within its borders reduced to a footnote on maps in classrooms, boardrooms and newsrooms worldwide. This was no accident but a deliberate act of cartographic violence and a tool of colonial domination designed to make Africa appear marginal, fragmented and insignificant. Let Africa self-validate and rise and let Namibia use her naturally endowed uranium as leverage in geo-politics to have a say on the table. Nothing should be decided about us, without us!
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of our employers and this newspaper but solely our personal views as citizens and Pan-Africanists.
