Africa-Press – Namibia. The local content aspect in developing Namibia’s natural resources is vital, and this includes value addition, particularly in the oil and gas sectors where developing downstream capacity and infrastructure such as an oil refinery are paramount.
These sentiments were expressed on Wednesday by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the official opening of the 7th Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) which took place this week under the theme, “Leading the Way: Becoming an Energy Hub with In-Country Value.”
Previous criticism to establishing an oil refinery in Namibia included high capital investment and a lack of local skills to safely operate such a facility. In a speech read on her behalf on Wednesday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia aspires to be part of developments to increase Africa’s oil production following significant oil and gas discoveries in the Orange Basin offshore off the southern coast.
“Without a doubt, the government’s wish is to move from discovery to actual production, without much delay, but with responsibility. Namibia’s oil and gas sector has developed gradually and steadily. We call on all our partners to work with us in a manner that reflects our shared commitment to responsible and sustainable progress. This next step will unlock the revenues needed to invest in infrastructure, diversify our economy, strengthen public services, and uplift our people. Through a well-paced approach, we will ensure our natural resources create long-term opportunity and national progress,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
She continued that Namibia welcomes investment, not just capital, but partnerships that align with the country’s national values and vision.
She further said that local content and beneficiation remain central to Namibia’s strategy for inclusive growth.
“Our goal is to enable meaningful Namibian involvement by building skills, supporting local businesses, and fostering an environment where talent and enterprise can thrive. As our national capacity expands, so too will our ability to contribute meaningfully across the entire energy value chain, guided by partnership, readiness, and shared value,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Industry leaders
Industry leaders present at NIEC this week reiterated their commitment to exploration, local content and financial strategies. On Wednesday, industry leaders from Chevron, the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) and Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) summarised critical developments in the Namibia’s oil and gas sector.
Interim managing director of Namcor, Victoria Sibeya, noted the national oil company’s evolving role, transitioning from a regulatory body to a pivotal exploration partner. “Our focus is on leveraging local resources to benefit Namibian communities, attracting investment to build local skills and infrastructure that directly addresses our country’s energy needs,” said Sibeya.
Chief executive officer of RMB Namibia, Philip Chapman, said “Offshore discoveries present immense growth potential, and at RMB Namibia, we are committed to providing tailored financial solutions that empower both global and local enterprises to unlock opportunities across every stage of the energy value chain.” He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between financial institutions and energy stakeholders in driving Namibia’s oil and gas sector forward.
Meanwhile Channa Kurukulasuriya, Chevron’s country manager for Namibia, said; “We completed our geological survey in 2023, and in December 2024, we drilled with zero harmful incidents, showing our commitment to safe operations.”
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