… President says Nigerian billionaire’s investment is what she promised Namibians in 2024
By Kaundjire Humbu
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has described the launch of the Dangote Namibia Tank Farm and Regional Pipeline Project as the most memorable day of her presidency, saying the N$42.6 billion investment represents a major step towards Namibia’s economic transformation and regional energy security.
Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that the investment by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote was a fulfilment of the development commitments she made to Namibians, while positioning the country as a regional petroleum distribution hub.
“Today is the most memorable day of my presidency, as I welcome a son of African soil and witness him investing in Namibia on such a large scale,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She said the project was born out of her first engagement with Dangote on 19 June 2025, when the businessman decided to invest in Namibia following discussions on securing petroleum supplies for the country and its landlocked neighbours.
However, Nandi-Ndaitwah revealed that the project nearly stalled because of bureaucratic delays, forcing her to personally intervene to prevent the investment from being lost.
She said she placed the project directly under the Office of the President after recalling how Namibia had previously lost significant investments because of cumbersome administrative systems.
“I had to take personal responsibility for overseeing this project,” she added.
She cited a proposed shipyard investment that was abandoned after four years of delays, saying she was determined not to allow the Dangote project to suffer a similar fate.
Nandi-Ndaitwah disclosed that she had personally contacted Dangote when his team became frustrated with the delays, pleading with him to remain committed to the investment.
“I apologise for the delays and frustrations you have experienced. We could have lost this project had there not been direct communication between you and me.”
The project is being overseen by National Planning Commission director-general Kaire Mbuende, who was tasked with driving implementation and keeping Nandi-Ndaitwah informed of its progress.
Nandi-Ndaitwah warned that Namibia’s bureaucratic culture must change if the country is to accelerate development and reduce poverty.
“I believe the Namibian bureaucracy will now realise that, if we move slowly, our people will continue to languish in poverty. But if we move with speed, with a population of 3.01 million, I cannot see why Namibians should be poor. I repeat, we are too few to be poor in this country.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah said she was increasingly moving away from attending groundbreaking ceremonies for projects that fail to materialise, preferring to return when infrastructure is completed and ready for operation.
She said the Dangote investment was an exception because of the confidence she had in the group.
“I have given myself two responsibilities. I will inspect the site and, when the project is completed, return to hand over the key or switch it on so that it can begin operating,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She said the investment is strategic not only for Namibia but also for the Southern African subregion, particularly at a time when geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts and disruptions to international shipping routes are threatening global petroleum supply chains.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the tank farm would significantly strengthen Namibia’s petroleum storage capacity and supply security, while helping the country reduce its vulnerability to external disruptions.
The project is expected to support the development of an integrated petroleum infrastructure system, with Walvis Bay serving as a strategic gateway for regional energy and trade.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the investment is aligned with the country’s Sixth National Development Plan and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks to advance continental integration and economic development.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said Dangote had agreed that Namibians would acquire essential skills throughout the project’s lifespan, enabling them to become internationally competitive even after certain construction-related activities had ended.
“Priority should be given to Namibians, followed by other Africans, so that together we can support one another.”
She also called on local businesses to prepare themselves to participate in emerging industries, saying Namibia was close to finalising its local content framework, which would be expanded beyond the oil and gas sector to cover investments across the economy.
Dangote said the investment would involve approximately N$42.6 billion and include a petroleum storage facility with a planned capacity of 600 million litres, equivalent to about four million barrels.
The facility, to be developed on approximately 70 hectares at Farm 58, about 10 kilometres east of Walvis Bay, is expected to comprise 360 million litres of diesel storage and 240 million litres of petrol storage, alongside truck-loading, dispensing and associated infrastructure.
The investment further envisages a regional pipeline network of approximately 1,700 kilometres, connecting Walvis Bay to markets across Southern Africa.
According to Dangote, the proposed pipeline will extend from Walvis Bay towards Otjiwarongo, with branches northwards towards Rundu and eastwards towards Ghanzi and Francistown in Botswana.
The wider network is intended to serve Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and the southern Democratic Republic of Congo. However, the final pipeline alignment and length will depend on engineering studies, route surveys and regulatory approvals.
Dangote said the infrastructure would provide landlocked countries with alternative petroleum supply routes, improve distribution efficiency and reduce logistical costs.
He said the investment would strengthen Namibia’s position as an Atlantic energy gateway while creating opportunities in transportation, warehousing, construction and related industries.
Dangote echoed the call for local participation, saying the group intended to support skills development, local procurement and meaningful participation by host communities.
He said the investment was not simply about establishing petroleum storage infrastructure but about creating a platform for energy security, regional commerce and shared prosperity.
“Africa must industrialise Africa,” Dangote said, arguing that the continent had the resources, markets, talent and entrepreneurial capacity to build the infrastructure needed for its own economic transformation.
He said the group viewed infrastructure gaps across Africa as investment opportunities rather than obstacles, adding that improved infrastructure could support industrial growth, create employment and attract further investment.
Dangote also assured Nandi-Ndaitwah that the group would not abandon the project after its launch, saying the investment marked the beginning of its broader ambitions in Namibia.
“In more than 50 years of doing business, I have learnt that trust is the one element that is non-negotiable,” he said.
“You have placed your trust in us, and we do not take that honour for granted. We will not disappoint you. We will deliver as promised.”
He described the tank farm as the group’s first major investment course in Namibia, signalling its intention to pursue additional opportunities in partnership with the Government.
“When you visit a restaurant, you are served the first course. Your Excellency, consider this investment our first course in Namibia. We do not intend to launch this project and walk away,.
He disclosed that the group’s investment ambition across Africa had increased from N$822.9 billion to N$987.48 billion by 2030, adding that Namibia could attract more investment if further opportunities were made available.
“Give us more opportunities. We want to invest more. We want to do more with your government,” he said.
Dangote also pointed to the group’s investments in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya as part of its broader strategy to develop interconnected production, storage and distribution infrastructure across the continent.
He said the proposed Walvis Bay development was part of a wider effort to connect coastal energy infrastructure with landlocked African markets.
