Rare Earth Push: Japan’s JOGMEC and Toyota Tsusho have committed up to C$47.7m to fast-track Namibia’s Lofdal heavy rare earth project via a new joint venture, TJ Namibia Rare Earths Corporation, aiming for a final investment decision. Mining Governance: Cabinet approved a national policy to regulate prospecting and mining in protected and environmentally sensitive areas, and backed Namibia’s signing of the African Mineral Development Centre statute under the AU’s mining vision. Critical Minerals Strategy: Namibia Critical Metals says Japan’s C$23m earn-in is complete and the JV structure is in place for Lofdal, with further DFS funding to move the project forward. Digital Science Infrastructure: Debmarine Namibia and NCRST are planning a Windhoek Science, Technology and Innovation Plaza (N$22.4m), still in concept stage and awaiting approvals and partners. AI for African Languages: GSMA and five African governments, including Namibia, launched ATLAS Umoja AI to scale language-capable AI models across African languages. Water Security: Government launched the final phase of an N$83.9m coastal pipeline replacement to secure bulk water for over 200,000 residents in Erongo. Housing Pressure: Northern towns report a combined 35,771 people waiting for residential land, with planning and engineering approvals slowing new township development. Local Industry Stress: Namibia’s sheep export abattoir, Farmers Meat Market in Mariental, suspended slaughter operations due to an “export parity squeeze” and cost pressures. Tech & Policy Debate: Namibia’s Parliament backlog and calls for longer sittings continue to spark constitutional and governance questions.