CHEMICALS & BASIC MATRIALS

The production and processing of various chemicals and materials in their basic form. 

The chemicals industry in Namibia consists of outfits manufacturing and mixing detergents and cleaning chemicals. These outfits consist of more prominent players and smaller players that provide chemicals to the cleaning and hygiene industry. 

Although still growing, Namibia has a strong foundational paint manufacturing industry, providing water and oil-based paints for use in construction and automotive/metal trades. Even with all the players in the paint manufacturing Industry, Namibia still imported N$ 38 million worth of paint, varnishes and other pigments in 2024 (Namibia International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin, December 2024)

A sizeable sulphuric acid manufacturing operation in Tsumeb is linked to the Tsumeb speciality smelters (sulphuric acid being a byproduct of the copper smelting process). Sulphuric acid feeds into the growing mining industry as an input product. Liquid mud, which is a lubricant required in oil well drilling, is also being manufactured in the coastal industrial 

 

town of Walvis Bay for use in the rapidly expanding oil and gas industry and wells currently under development.  

Namibia has a strong cement manufacturing sector, producing cement which is essential for economic growth. Ohorongo cement (PTY) LTD and Whale Rock Cement (PTY)LTD are the 2 largest cement factories in Namibia and manufacture cement with all inputs being locally sourced, as at 2025 their combined annual production is in excess of 2 Million tons produced locally (according to the company press release)

Namibia exports sea salt to international markets with an existing and booming salt industry with Africa’s largest solar sea salt facility located along the Walvis Bay Coastline. There is an increased need to add value addition to the salt being exported so that it is exported in a processed form.