(Yicai) Sept. 6 -- Chinese atomic energy developer China General Nuclear Power Group has received approval from the Namibian government to build the African country's largest seawater desalination plant in cooperation with the local water corporation.

CGN's Namibian subsidiary Swakop Uranium and Namibia Water will begin construction of the desalination plant this year, Yicai learned from Shenzhen-based CGN. Once completed by the end of 2026, the facility will have an annual production capacity of 20 million tons of water.

The project, which has been included in the list of key projects of the China-Namibia Belt and Road Initiative, will effectively alleviate the water shortage in Namibia, especially in the central and western coastal areas, provide guarantees for the development of various industries, including mining, increase employment, and promote economic growth.

China is Namibia's largest export destination and source of direct investment. The Husab Mine, a uranium mine project in Namibia independently invested in, built, and managed by CGN, is China's largest physical investment project in Africa.

According to statistics, the Husab Mine contributed 3.6 percent or NAD8.6 billion (USD485.6 million) to Namibia's gross domestic product last year. Namibia is the world's third-largest producer and exporter of natural uranium.

Editor: Futura Costaglione