President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah yesterday told global energy giant Shell that Namibia’s emerging oil industry must deliver direct benefits to its people.

The company confirmed rapid exploration progress and pledged long-term partnership in the country.

Receiving Shell’s top exploration executive, Eugene Okpere, at State House, Nandi-Ndaitwah made it clear that Namibia’s oil wealth will only be developed through partnerships, where both investors and citizens win.

“We are really looking forward to working with you. But we are not sure because each one has to be a winner, each one winning. And then, through that, you have a long-term collaboration,” she said.

The president described Namibia’s oil and gas sector as a reawakening industry. She noted that, while hydrocarbons are not new to the country, meaningful development is only now gaining momentum. “It’s a completely new business to the nation and the world. So, it’s an old industry in Namibia, but it was not activated. We are happy that Shell is one of those who have shown interest… to come in and work with us to activate this,” she said.

However, the head of state cautioned that natural resources require careful and responsible partnerships.

“I know the estimates – how many barrels there are – but nature knows itself. That partnership needs really to be nurtured,” she said. In response, Okpere praised Namibia’s leadership and policy environment, describing the country as one of the most promising new oil frontiers globally. “I just want to compliment your leadership, your government, for progress made in the last year. Yes, the industry is nascent, but in the last four years, 25 exploration wells have been drilled in such a short time,” he said.

He added that Namibia’s efficiency in handling oil exploration activities stands out internationally.

“Twenty-five wells in four years is pretty much a record for this type of frontier emerging basin. Not one operator can complain that the system slowed them down and they couldn’t get the activity done,” Okpere said.

Okpere stated that this performance has given Shell confidence to deepen its presence in Namibia, pointing to the potential for a long-term partnership.

“It gives us a lot of hope and optimism that this is a long-term partnership we’re going to build,” he said. But beyond exploration and production, the strongest message from the Shell executive focused on local empowerment, drawing from his own personal story in Nigeria.

“For me, it’s deeply personal. My dad was an orphan in a very non-descript village in Nigeria. 

Shell came in, sponsored him, and he went on to have 35 years in the industry,” Okpere said.

He said this kind of transformation is what Namibia can achieve if the sector is developed inclusively.

“I’ve seen Nigeria go from not having anything to today, where a significant portion of oil production is run by local companies. Shell was very much part of building that capacity,” he said.

Okpere added that Namibia has the opportunity to replicate such success if it prioritises skills transfer and local participation from the start.

“I totally buy into that dream and its possibilities,” he said, referring to the president’s vision for the country.

-ljason@nepc.com.na