Namibia at a crossroads: Local content must power the oil boom

Namibia is standing at the threshold of transformation. The world is watching. The recent discoveries of oil off our southern coast – Venus, Graff and Mopane – have positioned our nation as a rising star on the Atlantic energy map.

For a country long challenged by structural unemployment and inequality, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But it is also a test: will Namibia be just another frontier for extractive investment or will we become architects of our own energy future?

A booming industry - but for whom?

These discoveries are not speculative. They are real and, in some cases, already proven to be commercially viable. The fields show promise, mirroring prolific basins in South America and along the West African margin. Industry giants like Total Energies, Shell and Galp are investing billions. Rig mobilisations, seismic surveys and infrastructure planning are already underway.

But as activity surges offshore, one question must dominate every boardroom and government office: Where are the Namibians? Who is analysing the seismic data? Who is building the reservoir models? Who is laying the pipelines? Are we sufficiently skilled for involvement in the value chain?

We have a narrow window to take part in the full oil and gas value chain, from exploration to production, from logistics to lab analysis. If we miss it, we may have oil, but no oil industry of our own.

Local content is not charity - it’s strategy

Local content is not about handouts. It is smart economics. When Namibians are integrated into technical and managerial roles, we reduce reliance on foreign consultants, speed up project timelines and build a resilient, capable workforce.

For local content to work, it must be tied to true empowerment. This goes beyond local shareholding. It means Namibians playing meaningful roles on rigs, using analytical software, interpreting seismic cubes, conducting environmental assessments and leading procurement and logistics.

We need academic and vocational training aligned with industry needs. Government’s draft Local Content Policy is a step in the right direction. But quotas must be binding, monitored and backed by clear incentives for companies that go beyond minimum compliance.

The role of entrepreneurs and SMEs

Oil is not only about drilling. It involves logistics, catering, fabrication, environmental monitoring, telecommunications, and more. These are entry points for Namibian small and medium-sized businesses – if they’re enabled and financed to compete.

Support for SMEs through procurement access, financing and partnerships is essential. This isn’t just about big oil – it’s about building a local ecosystem that outlives the oil itself.

If we get this right, Namibia will not be known only for what lies beneath our seabed, but for how we used it. We can build a new kind of oil economy – transparent, inclusive and future-facing. One where energy fuels equity and where our people are the greatest resource.

Let’s seize this moment. Let’s build an industry owned by Namibians, powered by Namibians, and sustained for Namibia and the greater Southern African region.

*Fernando Sylvester is the founder and director of Nautilus Mining and Energy (Pty) Ltd. He is a highly experienced exploration geoscientist with over 15 years of international and regional expertise.