- Namibia is positioning itself as the energy hub for sub-Saharan Africa, with over 11 billion barrels of oil reserves discovered in the Orange Basin and plans for first oil production by 2029.
- The country’s renewable energy potential, driven by abundant solar and wind resources, could significantly improve energy security and reduce electricity import dependence.
According to delegates at the African Energy Week 2024: Invest in Namibia Energy conference, Namibia is emerging as a global hotspot for oil and gas exploration and poised to become sub-Saharan Africa’s energy hub.
Opening the session, Tom Alweendo, Namibia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, emphasised the importance of safeguarding African nations’ socio-economic benefits from oil and gas activities. He highlighted that Namibia ensures its policies are aligned with attracting investment, maintaining a stable economy, and providing an efficient legal framework.
Alweendo also noted that the country is collaborating closely with energy companies to expedite development and urged all stakeholders to join efforts in creating an African energy sector that is both economically strong and environmentally responsible.
Since 2022, Namibia has discovered over 11 billion barrels of oil reserves in the Orange Basin, sparking a race toward the country’s first oil production. Companies like TotalEnergies, Shell, and Galp Energia are engaged in appraisal drilling. At the same time, the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor) plans to drill three oil and gas wells by the first quarter of 2025.
Victoria Sibeya, Executive director of exploration Upstream at Namcor, explained that the upcoming wells aim to assess the continuity of hydrocarbon flow from recent discoveries and uncover new reserves.
Maggie Shino, Petroleum Commissioner at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, projected that Namibia could produce its first oil by 2029, though she noted this timeline could be accelerated. Shino also highlighted increased gas discoveries and the country’s efforts to assess its gas potential and explore its commercialisation options.
Selma Shimutwikeni, CEO of RichAfrica Consultancy, stressed that local content across the energy value chain is central to Namibia’s energy strategy. She stated, “Local content will be key to unlocking the industry’s potential and ensuring shared growth and prosperity for Namibia’s three million people.
We are strategically positioned within SADC to meet both our energy needs and those of the region. Namibia is on track to become the next energy hub in Southern Africa, but this requires strong partnerships between local and international companies, ensuring active participation from Namibians.”
The 7th Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC), set to take place in Windhoek from April 23-25, 2025, will further explore Namibia’s role as an energy hub. Organised by RichAfrica Consultancy and endorsed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the event aims to create a platform for strategic partnerships to drive the country’s energy transformation.
Shimutwikeni noted that NIEC 2025 will focus on turning Namibia’s resource potential into tangible results, with over 900 delegates, including industry experts, investors, and decision-makers, expected to attend.
Namibia recently launched an energy report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) outlining the country’s renewable energy potential. With abundant solar and wind resources—thanks to year-round sunlight and intense wind speeds in critical regions—Namibia is well-positioned for large-scale renewable energy projects.
Accelerating the development of these resources could significantly enhance the country’s energy security, reduce reliance on electricity imports, and lower energy costs for consumers, offering transformative benefits for Namibia’s power sector.