Editorial: Resource ownership needs one government voice

Namibia’s natural resources belong to its people, and citizens and political leaders are entitled to debate how much of that wealth should remain in Namibian hands.

But when leaders speak about ownership structures, particularly in the emerging oil and gas sector, their words carry consequences.

This means distinguishing personal or political proposals from adopted government policy. Statements about 30%, 51% or any other ownership threshold should not leave investors wondering whether Namibia’s investment framework is about to change.

Namibia already has a National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy intended to increase Namibian participation in the petroleum industry. Leaders discussing ownership and local participation should therefore anchor their interventions in that framework or clearly state when they are proposing changes to government policy.

Oil and gas discoveries have raised expectations of jobs, investment, local businesses and greater national prosperity. Namibia must negotiate firmly for maximum national benefit, but reckless public pronouncements can create unnecessary market uncertainty.

The country needs investment as much as it needs meaningful local participation. Achieving both requires consistency. Government should therefore decide who speaks authoritatively on resource ownership and ensure its message is clear, coordinated, and predictable.