Energy analyst warns Namibia is unprepared for tsunami of oil, gas and green opportunities

Energy analyst Gawie Kanjemba says Namibians are not ready for some of the opportunities the energy sector will provide.

He says the Namibia International Energy Conference, which is underway in Windhoek from 23 to 25 April, is where Namibia will identify where the country’s energy future is headed.

Kanjemba was speaking to Desert FM on Wednesday ahead of the opening of the conference.

Prime minister Elija Ngurare, on behalf of president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, during the opening of the conference reiterated the president’s promise of strict legal oversight and a focus on inclusive growth in the energy sector.

Kanjemba said the country’s energy ambitions are the calm before the storm, adding that there will be a rush of people looking for opportunities.

“It’s like a tsunami is coming. So we need to sort of prepare ourselves, make sure we are ready with processes,” he said.

“So if you need anything, energy and information to lobby to meet new people, to work together, this conference is really the place to do it,” Kanjemba said.

The conference marks a pivotal moment for Namibia’s ambition to become an African energy hub amid a booming oil and gas sector.

Kanjemba said if the country does not prepare itself effectively it may end up like some of the countries in South America and Africa that were not prepared.

He said the president’s move to put the emerging oil and gas sector under her office, she will be able to fast-track investments and directly plug them into the economy.

“And that is something very unique that a special body or someone with authority should be doing. And by that sense or by that logic, she’s right in doing that,” Kanjemba said.

He said this responsibility comes with risks around transparency.

The analyst believes the country is heading in the right direction, but the government must make sure to have checks and balances in place to make sure those in charge are accountable.

“Because we cannot wait for her [president [Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah] to finish her term. We have one chance at this. If we don’t do it right, we’re sort of screwed,” Kanjemba said.

He said current beneficiation policies are avoiding local ownership in the industry.