President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibia’s energy sector is not only a catalyst for economic growth, but also as a pillar of the country’s broader vision to position Namibia as a sustainable and forward-looking energy hub.
In remarks made on her behalf by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare at the Namibian International Energy Conference (NIEC), Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia’s journey towards becoming an energy hub has been shaped by foresight and deliberate action.
“Long before the recent discoveries, the government actively promoted the country’s potential in oil, gas, and renewable energy, laying a strong foundation for long-term growth. The establishment of Petrofund as a state-owned enterprise is one that exemplifies such vision: of a strategic investment in human capital to ensure that Namibians would be equipped to lead when opportunity arrives,” said the President.
“Today, those early efforts are bearing fruit, as the sector evolves and momentum builds toward a new chapter of energy-led transformation for Namibia and the continent. As most of us know, Africa is home to substantial oil, gas and renewable energy reserves. This potential is key in attaining the aspirations of our Agenda 2063 and achieving ‘the Africa We Want’ – A global powerhouse of the future. This transformation of Africa’s economies will be done through tapping into and developing our natural resources, sustainably and responsibly,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
The President said Namibia welcomes investment, not just capital, but partnerships that align with the country’s values and vision.
“We seek partners who invest in skills, infrastructure, and knowledge transfer, and who remain committed to Namibia’s long-term development goals. Local content and beneficiation remain central to our strategy for inclusive growth,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
She said her government’s goal was to enable meaningful Namibian involvement by building skills, supporting local businesses, and fostering an environment where talent and enterprise can thrive.
The head of state said just as important, local content also includes value addition such as developing downstream capacity and infrastructure like a refinery, and promoting ownership and meaningful participation of local companies in the sector.
“At the centre of our energy vision is human capital development. Building Namibia’s future means investing in our people, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead in a dynamic global sector. We are strengthening partnerships between government, academia, and industry to ensure that our education and training systems respond to the needs of a modern energy economy,” said Nandi-Ndaitwah.
She underlined the need to prioritise skills development, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing across the energy value chain.
“Namibia’s energy future must be led by Namibians, capable, empowered, and globally competitive,” said the head of state.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia was committed to creating an enabling environment where energy investment can prosper. “We are streamlining regulatory processes, strengthening institutional coordination, and ensuring policy clarity to support timely and transparent decisions across the energy value chain. We aim to position Namibia as one of Africa’s most attractive and reliable destinations for energy investment, where partnerships are built on trust, accountability, and shared long-term value,” the Namibian leader said.
