By Patricia Nekongo
Namibia’s growing oil and gas industry is placing the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) at the centre of efforts to develop the country’s petroleum resources, strengthen local participation and prepare for a broader future in energy.
With major offshore discoveries attracting international oil companies, NAMCOR says it intends to build on its knowledge of Namibia’s petroleum resources, develop local expertise and create lasting value for the country.
Its ambition is to become a world-class National Oil Company (NOC) capable of supporting the industry from exploration and production to downstream operations, while also looking beyond conventional oil and gas.
“From upstream to downstream and every oil and gas function in between, we provide local on-the-ground knowledge,” the company says, describing its role in supporting international partners operating in Namibia.
Exploration activity in the Orange Basin, off Namibia’s southern coast, has attracted significant interest from international energy companies, including TotalEnergies, Shell and Galp Energia.
The discoveries have raised expectations that petroleum could become an important contributor to the country’s economy.
NAMCOR says it is preparing to transform into an energy company that thinks beyond oil and gas while retaining its Namibian identity and responsibility to the country.
“Now, as we expand into a greener future, we will transform into an energy company which thinks beyond oil and gas to become a world-class NOC,” NAMCOR says.
“Throughout it all, we will remain Namibian to the core.”
The transformation comes as Namibia prepares for the next stages of offshore petroleum development while pursuing renewable energy and green hydrogen projects.
NAMCOR’s existing mandate provides a foundation for its ambitions.
The company participates in upstream petroleum activities, including exploration and production, independently or through partnerships, while also operating in the downstream market.
Its activities include supplying petroleum products to government institutions, businesses, mining operations, construction companies and the transport sector.
The company is also involved in fuel retail and has responsibilities associated with the National Oil Storage Facility and Jetty at Walvis Bay.
The facility is intended to strengthen Namibia’s security of petroleum supply.
These responsibilities give NAMCOR a role in several parts of the petroleum value chain, from supporting exploration to helping supply the domestic market.
The Orange Basin has emerged as a major area of international interest following significant offshore discoveries by companies including Shell, TotalEnergies and Galp Energia.
NAMCOR participates in selected exploration ventures alongside international partners, providing opportunities for the company to develop technical knowledge and experience.
However, exploration and commercial production are different stages of petroleum development.
Discoveries must undergo further assessment to establish the size and quality of resources, their commercial viability and the technical requirements for extraction.
Development decisions also depend on investment, infrastructure, regulatory approvals and market conditions.
As offshore projects advance, Namibia’s ports and logistics infrastructure will become increasingly important.
Petroleum operations require specialised vessels, equipment, supply bases, storage facilities, engineering services and reliable transport links.
Local companies will also need the technical capacity to compete for contracts and supply services to international operators.
This creates opportunities for cooperation between NAMCOR and the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport), which manages the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz.
The two ports connect Namibia to international shipping routes and regional markets.
Their infrastructure and logistics networks could support demand from energy companies as offshore exploration and potential production activities develop.
The Port of Lüderitz has attracted attention because of its location near offshore exploration areas and Namibia’s emerging green industrial projects.
Namport has pursued plans relating to an integrated oil and gas supply base in Lüderitz Bay, reflecting the need for specialised facilities to support offshore operations.
Such infrastructure could create business opportunities for Namibian companies involved in marine services, logistics, equipment supply, transport and engineering.
Walvis Bay also has an established role in cargo handling, maritime transport and regional logistics, giving Namibia two important ports that could support different industrial activities.
At the same time, Namibia is pursuing green hydrogen and related industrial projects, particularly in the south.
These developments are intended to use the country’s renewable energy potential to produce hydrogen and related products, including ammonia, for domestic and international markets.
The expansion of these industries could broaden Namibia’s energy sector beyond petroleum.
However, green hydrogen and oil and gas require different technologies, infrastructure and investment arrangements.
Their development will depend on financing, demand, export markets and the construction of facilities capable of supporting large-scale industrial operations.
For NAMCOR, becoming a world-class national oil company will require strong technical capabilities, effective corporate governance, financial discipline and transparent operations.
The company will also need to develop the skills required to participate in increasingly complex petroleum projects.
The industry requires specialists in geology, engineering, environmental management, health and safety, logistics, procurement and project management.
Building these skills locally would help Namibians access employment opportunities and enable domestic businesses to participate in more advanced parts of the energy value chain.
NAMCOR identifies human capital development as a priority, with its National Training and Technical Centre and other capacity-building initiatives intended to prepare Namibians for opportunities in the industry.
The development of local expertise is particularly important as Namibia seeks to ensure that its petroleum resources benefit the wider population.
Local participation can extend beyond employment to include procurement, technical services, business development and the transfer of knowledge from international partners to Namibian workers.
Petroleum operations require environmental monitoring, emergency preparedness and measures to prevent pollution.
These responsibilities will remain important as Namibia develops its offshore resources alongside its renewable energy ambitions.
NAMCOR’s transformation will ultimately depend on its ability to strengthen its technical and commercial operations while supporting Namibia’s wider energy objectives.
Its participation in petroleum projects, development of local expertise and involvement in the domestic energy market will be important parts of that process.
As international interest in Namibia’s offshore resources continues, the company faces an opportunity to establish itself as a stronger national participant in the industry.
NAMCOR says its commitment to remain Namibian to the core will guide its ambition to become a world-class national oil company while expanding its focus beyond oil and gas.
