Namibia is now considered the most attractive African country for mineral resource investment, according to research and education organisation The Fraser Institute’s ‘Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2014’.

The report notes that, in terms of pure mineral potential, on the Investment Attractiveness Index, Namibia is Africa’s most attractive jurisdiction, and the twenty-fifth most attractive jurisdiction surveyed.

Namibia is also one of only four African countries considered low-risk, politically and in terms of security. The Fraser Institute’s rankings are based on a number of factors, including geological potential, political risk, security, infrastructure and power.

The mining sector is better able to flourish in an environment that is predictable, stable and governed by sound competitive and regulatory policies, says Bauma Conexpo Africa CEO Elaine Crewe. She highlights that Namibia is one such environment and this is part of the reason why its mining sector grows every year.

The country’s political environment also remains stable. In March 2015, outgoing President Hifikepunye Pohamba received the Mo Ibrahim Prize for African Leadership in recognition of his positive impact on the mineral-rich nation.

During the decade of Pohamba’s Presidency, Namibia’s reputation was cemented as a well-governed, stable and inclusive democracy with strong media freedom and respect for human rights, explained Prize Committee chair Salim Ahmed Salim.

Meanwhile, the Namibia economy is expected to post solid growth of 4.5% a year over the next five years, according to business research agency Business Monitor International (BMI).

Growth will be driven in the main by capital-intensive investment projects in the mining and infrastructure space, while key exports such as diamonds and uranium will benefit from gradually improving demand conditions in key markets, notes BMI in its ‘Namibia Business Forecast Report Q1 2015’.

Further, Namibia financial services company IJG Securities Namibia, in its ‘Economic Outlook 2015’ report, notes that, as the construction boom slows, a major boom in mining output is to be expected, as the new mines, currently under construction, start and ramp up to full production levels.

In light of the number of positive developments currently taking place in the country’s mining sector, Bauma Conexpo Africa 2015 will take place in September to continue to contribute to the sector’s growth well into the future, concludes Crewe. The event will run from September 15 to 18, 2015, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre.