Washington aims to see United States firms compete aggressively and successfully in Namibia’s offshore and critical minerals value chains.
To support this strategy, United States Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano recently completed a 10-day, three-country mission to mobilise American capital and technology into the country’s oil, gas and mining industries.
This is because the US is increasing its commercial diplomacy in Namibia’s fast-emerging energy and critical minerals sectors. Giordano’s recent mission included Washington, DC, Cape Town, Walvis Bay and Windhoek.
From 3 to 13 February, the US Ambassador and his delegation undertook a high-level mission as part of a US push to secure supply chains for critical minerals and deepen energy ties with Namibia.
This strategy is necessitated by an acceleration of global demand in what Giordano describes as the “AI era”. Giordano’s recent mission signals that Washington views Namibia not merely as a resource frontier but, at least for now, as a long-term strategic partner in shaping future energy systems.
“In the AI era, the future of US and Namibian economic growth and energy security depend on a reliable supply of critical minerals,” Giordano said at the outset of the tour, underscoring Washington’s strategic interest in Namibia’s resource base.
“Let’s strengthen US-Namibian energy security to power the AI era,” he added. The diplomatic offensive commenced in the US capital, where Giordano engaged the US Chamber of Commerce and officials from the US Department of State’s Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment.
The aim of that meeting was to elevate Namibia’s profile among American investors and policymakers as well as position the country as a credible destination for long-term energy and infrastructure capital.
“Productive meetings with US business leaders in Washington to discuss mobilising US investment and expertise to be part of Namibia’s energy growth story and to create jobs in both countries,” Giordano said, pointing to what he called “positive investment climate” in Namibia. For potential investors, the message was that Namibia is not just a frontier oil story but a strategic node in global critical-mineral and energy supply chains.
From Washington, the Ambassador travelled to the annual Africa Mining Indaba in Cape Town, where he moderated a high-level panel featuring mining ministers from Namibia, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, including Deputy Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy Gaudentia Kröhne.
On the sidelines of the Indaba, Giordano met senior executives from US firms, including KoBold Metals and Chevron, as well as Namibian mining leadership, among them Veston Malango, CEO of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia.
“The robust US presence at Mining Indaba demonstrates that the United States is making a clear shift in its approach to Africa,” Giordano said. “We’re focused on investment and engaging African nations as capable commercial partners in mutually beneficial partnerships,” he said. Meanwhile, the tour’s most tangible signal of intent came in the Erongo region, where Giordano led a senior US Department of Energy delegation to Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
This delegation included Special Envoy for Global Energy Integration, Joshua Volz and senior advisor on critical minerals Mike Kopp. The US delegation met with the Namibian Ports Authority (Namport), reinforcing Walvis Bay’s strategic role as a logistics and trade gateway for southern Africa and a critical support base for offshore oil and gas developments.At Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, the US delegation observed how American expertise is being deployed in Namibia’s emerging offshore energy sector.
Giordano framed the company as emblematic of what he termed the “American model” that incorporates high standards, advanced engineering and measurable local impact.
“In technically challenging deepwater environments, experience and engineering excellence are decisive, and American firms set the global standard,” he said. “American companies deliver real technology transfer, serious skills development and meaningful local participation while investing in infrastructure and workforce capacity,” he stated.
Giordano’s mission concluded in Windhoek with meetings involving members of the Namibian Petroleum Operators Association, consolidating dialogue between US officials and operators active in Namibia’s petroleum space.
Reflecting on the tour, Giordano said the message across all three countries was consistent: “US businesses are ready to bring their investments, expertise and innovation to Namibia to contribute to US and Namibian energy security. My job is to make sure that American companies are aware of the opportunities to be part of Namibia’s energy future and ensure that US companies have a fair chance to compete”.
The US expedition came at a pivotal moment for Namibia, as offshore oil discoveries, expanding uranium production and growing interest in green hydrogen position the country at the centre of global energy transition and supply-chain realignment. For the United States, securing diversified sources of critical minerals and energy outside traditional sources has become a national priority.
For Namibia, attracting credible, technology-driven investment while maximising local value addition and skills development will be key to translating resource wealth into sustainable economic growth.
-ebrandt@nepc.com.na