• By Sostenus Wilherm
A European leading marine and offshore renewable support service provider, GEOxyz says Namibia’s oil and gas success will depend on building local capacity alongside offshore development.
The company further stressed that its presence in Namibia is about more than delivering technical services but about embedding skills, infrastructure and long-term capability within the country.
In an interview with Confidente recently, Jacques Vancayseele, the commercial manager for Southern Africa at GEOxyz, indicated that: “At GEOxyz, our mandate is to support Namibia by building the technical foundation required for offshore development, while simultaneously developing local capability.
We are not only delivering data, but we are also transferring knowledge, training local talent and contributing to a sustainable industry that remains in-country long after first oil.”
Vancayseele explained that the company’s approach is rooted in combining international expertise with local participation.
“Our role is to bring international expertise into Namibia, combined with local capacity and working with Namibian partners, developing local skills will help ensure that Namibia is not only attractive to investors, but also capable of executing projects locally,” he added.
Vancayseele noted the GEOxyz’s decision to physically invest in Namibia rather than operate from abroad. “Everybody says they can do it, but what they mean is they have got a vessel somewhere in the world that can possibly pass by, that is not who we are.”
Instead, the company is placing long-term assets in-country, including the arrival of its survey vessel.
“A large survey vessel will arrive in mid 2026 in-country. It is destined to be the Namibian vessel, we have strategically placed the foundations to have it here so we can be on-site supporting local projects.”
Beyond infrastructure, GEOxyz is investing in skills development through partnerships with institutions such as the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). Vancayseele revealed that the company has been working with the university for over a year, delivering lectures and introducing students to offshore disciplines.
“We are actively working towards building in-country capability rather than operating remotely and it all starts with informing people about these opportunities.”
Through its internal training arm, the GEOxyz Academy, the company is also supporting both employees and students with technical training in areas such as hydrography, geophysics and survey techniques.
“We go to the university (NUST) giving students an introduction to hydrography and geophysical techniques. This is an emerging opportunity and we need those people.”
Vancayseele emphasized that early investment in skills and infrastructure is critical to ensuring Namibia captures value from its resources “The biggest risk is a gap between project development and local capacity. If not managed properly, too much value can remain external.”
He added that the focus must be on integrating Namibian companies into the supply chain from the outset. “Beyond technical execution, the focus must be on building local capacity early, ensuring Namibian companies are integrated into the supply chain from the start.”
While Namibia’s recent offshore discoveries have generated excitement, Vancayseele cautioned against viewing the sector purely through the lens of extraction.
“One misconception is that development is only about resource extraction, but in reality, longterm success depends on building a local industry around it, what are we going to do until we get it out, and what are we going to do when we get it out?”
He noted that Namibia has the advantage of learning from other oil-producing countries. “We can learn the lessons and do it better, we have seen what has happened elsewhere and we must ensure we build it the right way.”
Looking ahead, Vancayseele expressed confidence that Namibia is on the right path, pointing to strong governance and a shared national vision.
“I think we have good leadership, good values and we are all looking in the same direction.
As long as we stay focused on the same goals, I can not see what would not make it a success.”
He added that Namibia’s stability has already attracted major global players, reinforcing confidence in the country’s energy future.
Ultimately, Vancayseele believes Namibia has the potential to develop a globally competitive, locally anchored energy sector but only if it prioritises long-term development over short-term gains.
“Namibia has the opportunity to build a world-class energy sector, but it will only succeed if we build local industry, local skills and local infrastructure alongside it.”
