President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has emphasised that Kunene's mineral wealth must translate into meaningful opportunities for its people, while ensuring communities remain involved in decisions affecting their land and future.

The President's message was delivered by the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, at the Kunene Mining Summit at Opuwo.

As Kunene seeks to unlock its mineral potential, President Nandi-Ndaitwah said mining must go beyond resource extraction and create lasting opportunities for local communities.

She stated that meaningful engagement with traditional authorities and affected communities is essential, warning that a single meeting should not be treated as consent for every future change to a project.

"Where rights and land uses overlap, the responsible authorities must work from reliable maps, engage affected people and resolve disputes through proper processes. Investors need predictability, while communities need to know who is working on their land, under what authority and with what safeguards."

The President stressed that proper consultation with traditional authorities and affected communities must be an ongoing process.

“Engaging traditional authorities is a must. It is also important to engage directly affected residents as early as possible, but do not treat a single meeting as consent to every future change.”

Nandi-Ndaitwah said inclusive growth must also give young people opportunities to build their future within their region.

“The true promise of Kunene is that a child in Opuwo, Khorixas, Okangwati or Sesfontein can see a future in the resources and enterprise: a skill he or she can learn, safe work he or she can do, a business he or she can build, and a landscape he or she can pass on. That is what inclusive growth means in human terms.”

The President said the success of the summit will ultimately be measured by implementation, rather than the length of its resolutions.

She called for a focused regional outcome statement with clear actions, responsible institutions, realistic milestones and a set date to review progress.