Namibia Celebrates New Wave of Skilled Gemstone Graduates in Karibib

Namibia Celebrates New Wave of Skilled Gemstone Graduates in Karibib. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Natangwe Ithete, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing market access, industrial upgrading, and local competitiveness in Namibia’s mineral value chains. He delivered the remarks at the graduation ceremony for the 2023 and 2024 cohorts of the Gemstones Cutting and Polishing Training Programme, held in Karibib.

A total of 111 graduates were recognised after completing the intensive six-month course aimed at equipping Namibians with practical skills in gemstone processing, a vital component of the country’s broader effort to build downstream capacity within the mining sector.

The programme, launched in 2020 by the Ministry in partnership with EMPRETEC Namibia, has now trained 122 individuals to date. Minister Ithete highlighted that most of the graduates have already secured full-time positions at established firms such as Tate Diamond, KGK, and ANKIT Gems, a positive signal for the country’s Gemstone Value Chains Growth Strategy.

The initiative reflects the Ministry’s industrialisation goals by promoting local beneficiation, reducing reliance on raw exports, and supporting job creation in mining-adjacent industries.

As the country looks to deepen its footprint in the gemstone and jewellery sectors, the success of initiatives like this serves as a foundation for future growth, empowerment, and economic diversification.