Namibia

Overview

Namibia is a dry, sparsely populated Southern African country whose economy rests on mining, agriculture, fisheries and tourism. Diamonds, uranium and other minerals have long anchored exports and public revenue, while the country's fishing grounds and rangelands support coastal and rural livelihoods.

Conservation is woven into the country's development model: wildlife is managed by local communities as an economic asset, and Namibia was among the first countries in Africa to write environmental protection into its constitution. That reputation for stewardship underpins a distinctive tourism industry built on desert landscapes and wildlife.

On the rise

Abundant sunshine, wind and open land make Namibia a candidate for renewable electricity and green fuel exports — with skills, infrastructure and the challenge of extreme drought determining how much of that potential becomes jobs.