Investing in Namibia’s energy future: policy, people and local content
- 8 May 2025
- Posted by: Trudi Stevens
- Category: energy excellence
Future Energy Partners, Teyshas Energy and ADM — collectively known as the Deepwater Development Consortium — have identified a range of significant issues facing the Namibian Government in developing the energy sector and wider economy. Drawing on years of experience, the Consortium provides practical, evidence-based solutions to help address these challenges.
Lack of capacity and agency within the Ministries and civil service
We believe the new administration is cognisant of the size of the challenges facing them and is fully committed to meeting them.
Our recommendation is that the Government moves quickly to build a network of trusted advisors who are independent of the IOCs but have the depth and breadth of knowledge and experience of the oil and gas industry. These advisors will support the creation of important policies using their technical expertise and analytical skills. They will identify which policy areas are the priority and the sequence of policy development.
These independent experts will critically evaluate the plans and proposals of the IOCs and provide the best impartial advice and guidance to the Government departments to enable them to make informed decisions that are in the best interests of Namibia.
Namcor and the responsible Ministries must engage with the IOC operators now to understand the plans and technical and commercial issues. If TotalEnergies and partners intend to aim for Final Investment Decision (FID) for Venus in early 2026, then decisions will be made in 2025. The IOC’s might be aiming for better commercial terms. The Nambian government needs to form their own view of the alternatives. Monetising of natural gas resources should be considered now, not after the gas is ‘disposed’ of by reinjecting it back into the ground.
Funding for the Government is a challenge in the interim until cash flow starts from royalties and taxes. In the interim, various sources of funding should be secured from agencies such as the Africa Development Bank, Afreximbank, and maybe even from the operators themselves. It is in the long term interest of the operators, that they have a well funded Government making well informed decisions.
Local content design and implementation
Our recent blog, Roadmap for a Local Content Strategy, presents a structured approach to driving sustainable economic growth through the development of robust local content strategies. At the heart of this approach is collaboration—between international companies, local businesses, educational institutions, and governments—to build capacity, create employment, and enhance value creation within local economies.
The framework emphasises economic development by promoting partnerships that help local industries meet international standards, gain access to global supply chains, and benefit from knowledge exchange. It supports job creation through targeted incentives and vocational training aligned with industry needs. In parallel, it encourages capacity building by integrating international expertise into local education systems and providing practical learning experiences for both students and educators.
Economic diversification is also a key pillar, supported through curriculum reforms, nurturing of emerging industries, and the promotion of inclusive procurement policies. Additionally, investment in community development is essential—particularly in social infrastructure and programmes that deliver employment and training opportunities in underserved areas.
At Future Energy Partners, we strongly advocate for local empowerment—not only through the development of technical skills but also by fostering vital soft skills such as teamwork, career planning, and performance management. Our tailored training programmes are designed to support policymakers in developing and implementing effective Local Content Policies that deliver lasting impact.
A starting point: building capacity in local SMEs
A practical first step is the creation of a Business Incubation Hub—a facility that could be funded as part of an international investor’s local content contribution. This centre would support the growth and readiness of local SMEs through:
- Access to up-to-date information on current tenders issued by international companies
- Provide a comprehensive description of all standards and accreditations required of sub contractors by international companies
- Provide information on and guidance in how to achieve these standards and accreditations, signposting to providers of support in achieving them
- A database of SMEs who are ‘contract ready’
- Provide regular master classes in relevant supply chain areas
- Provide signposting towards training providers who deliver required and useful qualifications and training courses
- Access (possibly at competitive rates) to specialised equipment, technical software and laboratories that SMEs can use to provide evidence of technical expertise
Empowering local talent for sustainable growth
At Future Energy Partners we believe in the importance of developing local skills and capabilities. With decades of industrial experience combined with academic achievement, we assist policymakers in defining Local Content Policies and ensuring their successful implementation.
Our expertise enables us to deliver bespoke training solutions that empower individuals and organisations alike. We recognise the value of not only building technical knowledge but also fostering the softer skills essential for success—teamwork, career growth, performance management, and conflict resolution.
We are dedicated to unlocking local potential. To find out how we can support you, contact us today.