More than 200 exhibitors are expected to participate in this year’s 13th Mining Expo and Conference, as demand for exhibition space reaches record levels ahead of Namibia’s flagship mining industry event.
The Chamber of Mines of Namibia says 204 exhibitors have already confirmed participation, up from 195 last year, while exhibition space has expanded from 329 allocations to 372, with organisers expecting demand to grow further before the event opens on 4 August.
The expo, which runs from 4 to 6 August at the Windhoek Showgrounds, will be held under the theme “From Dialogue to Delivery: Assessing Progress in Creating Mining-Led Economic Growth and Employment since NamPPF.”
Chamber of Mines of Namibia Chief Executive Officer Fabian Shaanika said companies are not only increasing in number but are also requesting significantly larger exhibition spaces.
“We’ve gone from 329 spaces last year to 372 this year, and we are still counting. I think 400 is really reachable. The increase is driven largely by exhibitors wanting more space rather than simply by having more exhibitors. It looks like they have more to show and more to tell,” Shaanika said.
He said the exhibition will feature mining companies, equipment manufacturers, engineering firms, technology providers and service companies from Namibia, the Southern African region and beyond.
“We’ve always had local exhibitors from across Namibia, regional participation and international exhibitors beyond Southern Africa. This year is no different. The sector is represented at all levels, local, regional and international,” he said.
Beyond the exhibition, the conference will evaluate progress made under the Namibia Partnership Framework (NamPPF), with discussions focusing on mining’s contribution to economic growth, investment and employment.
According to Shaanika, the industry has identified opportunities to unlock approximately US$2.6 billion in additional investment and create around 18,000 jobs over the next five years through increased exploration, mine expansions and new mining developments.
The 2026 edition will also introduce a dedicated Mining Safety Conference on the opening day, bringing together regulators, mining companies and safety professionals to improve safety standards across the sector.
“The idea is to bring the various stakeholders together to share common experiences and ultimately lift safety standards across the mining industry. It is about building a safer industry and, by extension, contributing to a safer country,” Shaanika said.
He said the Mining Expo and Conference remains one of Namibia’s most important industry platforms, connecting government, investors, mining companies and service providers while showcasing developments across the country’s mining value chain. Public access to the three-day event will remain free.
