Namibia and Angola’s natural resources have the potential to contribute to the growth of economies in both countries if positively realised, Angola’s Minister of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas, Diamantino Pedro Azevedo has said.
Azevedo said this during a courtesy visit to Namib Desert Diamonds (NAMDIA) as part of Angolan Energy and Mining Industry delegation currently in Namibia to explore potential strategic linkages that could benefit both countries in the long term.
“Our natural resources are not a curse. It is only a curse if it is used incorrectly or not used at all. I believe our region’s natural resources have the potential to put our nations on the global map and opportunities abound. If we work together with our people and collaborate with our neighbours, we will achieve great things,” he said.
Azevedo was accompanied by Jovelina Imperial e Costa, Ambassador of Angola to Namibia, mining Executives Jose Manuel Ganga Junior President of ENDIAMA , Eugenio P.Bravo Da Rosa, President of SODIAM as well as energy executives from institutions and members from the Ministry of Mines and Energy in Namibia such as the Diamond Commissioner Miina Aune Gahutu.
ENDIAMA E.P. is the national diamond company of Angola and is the exclusive concessionaire of mining rights in the domain of diamonds, while SODIAM E.P., Angola’s state-owned national diamond trading company, oversees controlling and supervising the purchase, sale, and import/export of diamonds in Angola.
“We are delighted to welcome the Angolan delegation to NAMDIA,” said Bryan Eiseb, NAMDIA’s Board Chairperson.
“The visit will provide both nations an opportunity to explore possible linkages that could strengthen relations and offer a platform for the exchange of knowledge and expertise.”
During their visit, the delegation met with NAMDIA’s Board and executives, toured its diamond facilities, and gained insight into the company’s strategic objectives and operations, and presented a platform to gain knowledge about Namibia’s diamond industry, NAMDIA’s operations, including its commitment to sustainability and community impact program.
It also provided the delegation with an opportunity to establish formal business relationships and laid the ground for future corporations.
NAMDIA’s CEO Alisa Amupolo, during the company overview presentation, expressed NAMDIA’s enthusiasm to establish formal relations with SODIAM and ENDIAMA-EP and highlighted the potential Namibia and Angola has in promoting the region’s unique diamonds to generate even greater value for Namibia and Angola as both alluvial producing countries.
NAMDIA was established out of an agreement between the government and De Beers in 2016, to verify whether Namibia was getting the best value of its diamonds by going onto the open market.
