As Namibia emerges as Africa’s “New Energy Frontier” with major oil and gas discoveries in the Orange Basin, a tremendous amount of exploration, geographic and economic data is being generated. A new website has been created in order to safeguard this date and to ensure that Namibian information belongs to and is managed by Namibians. The website, NamibiaOilAndGas.com was created as a homegrown platform to centralise industry data, promotes transparency, and ensure data sovereignty. Initially a news site, the domain has since evolved into a strategic resource hub. 

“As Namibia stands on the precipice of a generational economic transformation, the global spotlight has intensified on the Orange Basin. 

With world-class discoveries like Venus, Graff, and Mopane, the nation is no longer just a frontier; it is the ‘New Energy Frontier’ of Africa. However, as international supermajors and global investors descend on Windhoek and Lüderitz, a critical question has emerged: Who owns the narrative and the data of this burgeoning industry,” asked Cobus Theyse, co-founder of Namibia Oil and Gas.com.

The website champions the philosophy that Namibians should manage Namibian data. 

“By building a local repository of industry insights, regulatory updates, and corporate partnerships, NamibiaOilAndGas.com prevents the ‘data drain’ where vital industry intelligence is often inaccessible behind paywalls or in expensive reports from outside organisations. The startup ensures that the nation retains the intellectual leverage needed to negotiate and collaborate with international partners from a position of strength,” he stated. 

He added that NamibiaOilAndGas.com is a homegrown startup that is rapidly becoming the digital backbone of the domestic oil and gas sector. 

“By centralising data and creating a robust local database, this startup is ensuring that the ‘information goldmine’ of Namibia’s resources stays in Namibian hands, rather than being owned and mined by international organisations. This is something that Namibians and Namibia should be very proud of,” Theyse stated. 

He elaborated that African energy data has for years been the domain of high-priced international consultancies. 

“For a local entrepreneur or a global investor looking for a reliable partner, the barriers to entry were often opaque. NamibiaOilAndGas.com is disrupting the status quo and is launching a comprehensive supplier and human capital database. 

This directory is a two-way street welcoming all levels of stakeholders involved in or wanting to contribute meaningfully to the energy sector. For international stakeholders, it provides a transparent, vetted gateway to local capabilities, from logistics and engineering to specialised oil-field services”, he added.  

He continued that for Namibian professionals and SMEs, the website provides visibility and a platform in a fast-moving market. By digitising the regional supply chain and human capital available, the platform ensures that “local content” is not just a regulatory checkbox but a functional reality.

Meanwhile, as the burgeoning sector moves from exploration to appraisal, Theyse expects the data requirements to shift. 

“This synchronised growth ensures that as the Namibian economy scales, its primary information hub is already embedded in the fabric of the industry,” Theyse added. 

He concluded that the success of Namibia’s oil and gas sector will not be measured by barrels per day, but by the strength of the institutions and platforms that support it. 

“By reclaiming the industry’s digital narrative and securing Namibian IP, NamibiaOilAndGas.com is doing more than just providing information; it is building a foundation of trust and resilience… For those looking to be part of Namibia’s success story, the journey begins at the intersection of energy and information. 

For the Namibian people, it starts with owning the data that will power their future”, Theyse added.