Justicia Shipena
Namibia will not tolerate practices in the oil and gas industry that deny citizens their fair share of benefits, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has warned.
She said the government will strictly monitor activities to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and the local content policy.
Nandi-Ndaitwah made the remarks at the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference on Wednesday in a speech delivered on her behalf by Kornelia Shilunga, head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Presidency.
The third edition of the conference draws 1,161 delegates and 73 exhibitors and takes place in Windhoek under the theme “From Exploration to Action: Positioning Namibia as the Next Energy Frontier.”
The conference is taking place at a time when Namibia is estimated to have reserves of 11 billion barrels of oil and 2.2 trillion cubic feet of gas.
“Our natural resources are national assets, and their development must always serve the public good. We will not tolerate practices that undermine the Namibian people’s rightful share of the benefits,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said oil and gas successes will be measured not by barrels extracted but by the number of lives improved.
She said oil and gas must drive industrialisation, job creation, skills development, and local ownership.
“Local content development is not just a policy on paper; it is a non-negotiable pillar of our oil and gas governance,” she said.
At the same event, deputy prime minister and minister of industries, mines and energy, Natangue Ithete, called for unity in managing the resources.
He warned against the “resource curse” seen in other countries.
“We refuse to become another cautionary tale. Our government’s pledge is clear: every barrel, every cubic foot, must translate into jobs, infrastructure, and opportunities for Namibians,” he said.
He told investors Namibia welcomes partnerships under conditions that protect the environment, respect communities, and share benefits fairly.
To citizens, he said, “This is your oil, your gas, your future rise; prepare and take your place in this new frontier.”
The conference, endorsed by the ministry of industries, mines and energy, is hosted by the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN) in partnership with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), Hanns Seidel Foundation, Namcor, and SNC Incorporated.
The conference opened with Future Generations Masterclasses, a collaboration with the Namibia Energy Youth Forum. Over 60 young people took part, learning about career paths and industry opportunities and engaging with experienced professionals.
EAN chairperson Jason Kasuto said recent Orange Basin discoveries have made Namibia one of the most attractive global investment destinations in oil and gas.
He called for responsible, sustainable resource development and a fully integrated value chain covering upstream, midstream, and downstream activities.
The secretary general of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), Mohamed Hamel, said Namibia can inspire Africa’s energy future by harnessing its natural gas resources.
He said the country’s gas reserves can be developed to build a green energy hub by investing in infrastructure and integrating gas into local manufacturing, transport, and electrification.
“So, Namibia stands today not only as a new energy player but also as a symbol of what is possible when Asia leads leadership. With natural gas as a pillar, Namibia can accelerate its development, strengthen its programme, and inspire our continent,” Hamel said.
According to the latest Global Gas Outlook, global energy demand will grow by 18% by 2050, driven by economic growth and a population increase of 1.8 billion people, including 1 billion in Africa.
Natural gas demand is expected to grow by 34% over the same period.
