UIS COMMUNITY ON THE RISE
Mining, Tourism, and Beyond – Investment Conference Signals New Era for Uis
Eileen van der Schyff and Rudi Bowe
The town of Uis is standing on the brink of transformation. Once known primarily for its tin mining heritage, Uis is now positioning itself as a strategic hub for mining, tourism, infrastructure development, and renewable energy This transition was the focus of the recent Uis Investment Conference held in Swakopmund on 4 July 2025, under the theme: “UisinTransition–Mining,TourismandBeyond.”
Hosted by the Erongo Regional Council, the conference brought together investors, government leaders, development partners, and local stakeholders to explore and highlight the untapped potentialof the Uis settlement Dr Mpenzeni
Ntelamo, Chief Regional Officer of the Erongo Regional Council, opened the platform with an insightful presentation outlining the council's mandate, tocoordinate sustainable development and uplift the livelihoods of communities With over 240 000 residents and seven constituencies, the Erongo Region is highly urbanised yet still rich with rural potential, especially in settlementslikeUis.
Established in 1958 and downgraded to settlement status in 2010, Uis is ready for its comeback The government is actively working to expand the townlands, improve road infrastructure, upgrade water and sewersystems,andformalise informal settlements. There's strong interest in reinstating Uis as a Village Council, a move that's already received inprinciple support from the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development. Delivering her keynote address, Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele, Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, emphasised the importance of this transformation.
“Thisconferenceabout renewal, local empowerment, and sustainability,” she said.
“We are ready, as a ministry, to grant the requesttorestoreUisto its former village councilstatus.
The leadership of Erongo has demonstrated commitment to the prosperity of this community ”
Theconferencepresented a broad range of investment opportunities that reflect both the immediate needs and long-term vision of the community Uis is experiencing growing demand in the retail sector, particularly for
clothing, food, and hardware outlets. There is also an urgent need for more banking services, with calls for the presence of commercial banks such as Bank Windhoek, FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank, and Bank BIC Namibia.
The real estate sector is showing strong potential as well, with available land and a rising demand for housing development In the mining sector, Uis is rich in tin, tantalum, lithium, and semi-precious stones, all of which are extracted frompegmatitedeposits in the area. Tourism continues to thrive, especially given Uis's proximity to the Brandberganditsstatusasone of Namibia's key tourist destinations. Further opportunities exist in manufacturing, renewable energy, and the education sector, particularly for technical and vocational training, research institutions, and youth skills development.
According to Dr Ntelamo, Uis' population of approximately 5 500 may seem small, but its potential is immense. It sitsattheintersectionof history, geography, and future-facing development.
The newly appointed Erongo regional Governor, Natalia Goagoses, in order to send a clear message to the national and international com-
!Nawases-Taeyele, Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development
munity that there is an overwhelmingmovetowards positive change and that Uis settlement is open for business, said, “this can only start with a process like this, where we lure investors to come and be part of our development trajectory.”
Goagoses highlighted the role that partnerships play in advancing Uis' industrialisation, entrepreneurship and boosting the community “I believe that through strategic investment, committed leadership and community-driven development, Uis can become a model of rural transformation, a shining example of what is possible when partnershipisforgedwithunity of purpose,” said Goagoses.
According to Goagoses the Conference on Uis is an important milestone that cannot be overemphasised. “I am equally thrilled that the Erongo Regional Coun-
cil has taken this bold decision to host such a significantevent.”
Goagoses emphasised that this event demonstrates our collective commitment to forging partnerships that will advance industrialisation, entrepreneurship and community upliftment in the Erongo Region and beyond. “I believe that through strategic investment, committed leadership and community-driven development, Uis can become a model of rural transformation, a shining example of what is possible when partnership is forged with unit of purpose” she added. “I should reconfirm to you that this is the path that will define our ways of working, making sure that economic opportunities for our people are prioritised” shesaid.
Goagoses added that there is something to learn from this experience for other Re-
gionalCouncils,asthey prepare to grow their settlements into village and/ortowncouncils.“I pledge my full commitment to work with all stakeholders to drive inclusive development, sustainable growth, and prosperity for our people in the region I should say, I'm happy that the Erongo Regional Council has just beguntheprocessofthe drive to ensure our communities feel the tangible fruits of our independence,” she concluded.
The conference echoed
national priorities, aligning with the vision of Namibia's new administration under President Netumbo NandiNdaitwah.
The Deputy Minister quoted the President's commitment to carry forward the agenda of economic and social advancement “with vigor and determination.” Deputy Minister !Nawases-Taeyele urged all stakeholders to take part in building a prosperous, just, and peacefulNamibia.
“Sustainability is not justtherightthingtodo,
it's the smartest investment we can make. Uis is open for business, it's open to transformation. ”In the Deputy Minister closing, she reminded the audience of the words of the late President Dr Hage G. Geingob: “We have recorded significant successes Namibia ranks among the world's leaders in gender participation, education, infrastructure,andpeace.Now,it istimetobuildonthese achievementstounlock ournextchapter.”
Evelyn
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