Statement by Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on the official opening of the Namibian international energy conference meeting

23 April 2025

STATEMENT BY HER EXCELLENCY DR. NETUMBO NANDI- NDAITWAH, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA, ON THE OCCASION OF OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NAMIBIAN INTERNATIONAL ENERGY CONFERENCE MEETING

THEME, “LEADING THE WAY: BECOMING AN ENERGY HUB WITH IN-COUNTRY VALUE.”

23 APRIL 2025

Windhoek KHOMAS REGION

Honourable Natangwe Ithete, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy;
Hon. Gaudentia Kronhe, Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy;

Ms. Ndapwilapo Selma Shimutwikeni, Founder and Convenor of the Namibia International Energy Conference;
Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Fellow African Government Leaders;

African Energy Chamber;
Captains of Industry;
Members of the Business Community; Distinguished Invited Guests and Participants; Members of the Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good Morning. I thank the organisers of this conference for inviting me to do the official opening. It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the 7th edition of the Namibia International Energy Conference.

This conference comes at an opportune time, just 12 days after I inaugurated the HyIron Oshivela Plant in Arandis, Erongo Region on the 11 April 2025. The HyIron’s Oshivela Plant is one of the world’s first industrial facilities dedicated to zero-emissions iron production, which is speaking to our national developmental agenda of value addition, natural resource beneficiation and industrialization, as articulated in the SWAPO Party Elections Manifesto 2025-2030.

It is a profound honour to lead our nation at this defining moment, one where our energy ambitions, our commitment to shared prosperity, and our determination to shape our future converge. In my inaugural address, I emphasized the need to preserve the gains of independence and complete the work of economic emancipation. That vision continues here today, at this important gathering.

Our collective aspiration is to add value to our natural resources, diversify our economy, create jobs, and uplift every Namibian. The energy sector is a critical part of that mission, not only as a catalyst for economic growth, but also as a pillar of our broader vision to position Namibia as a sustainable and forward-looking energy hub.

As we continue to reimagine a resource-rich Namibia, one that delivers lasting value and broad-based prosperity, our ambition is now matched by clear direction and practical action. This journey is rooted in our national development priorities and speaks directly to the transformation we seek: one defined by opportunity, equity, and long-term impact.

As we gather to chart a course for our energy future, let us be guided by the same principles of integrity, accountability, inclusivity, and national pride which I committed to upon assuming office as the Fifth President.

Director of Ceremonies, Distinguished Invited Guests, dear Esteemed Participants

It is a great honour to welcome you to a platform that is not only proudly Namibian but also firmly continental in its reach and impact. This year’s theme, “Leading the Way: Becoming an Energy Hub with In-Country Value,” reflects our national resolve to shape our future with purpose and clarity.

Namibia’s energy journey has been shaped by foresight and deliberate action. Long before the recent discoveries, the government actively promoted the country’s potential in oil, gas, and renewable energy, laying a strong foundation for long-term growth. The establishment of Petrofund as a state-owned enterprise is one that exemplifies such vision: of a strategic investment in human capital to ensure that Namibians would be equipped to lead when opportunity arrives.

Today, those early efforts are bearing fruit, as the sector evolves and momentum builds toward a new chapter of energy-led transformation for Namibia and the continent.

As most of us know, Africa is home to substantial oil, gas and renewable energy reserves. This potential is key in attaining the aspirations of our Agenda 2063 and achieving ‘the Africa We Want’ – A global powerhouse of the future.

This transformation of Africa’s economies will be done through tapping into and developing our natural resources, sustainably and responsibly.

Recent studies show that Africa is estimated to have contributed about 8% to the global oil supply (crude oil + condensate) in 2004 and 2005, as both the Global and African Supply are expected to grow gradually this year.

This outlook suggests Africa could increase its oil production from about 6.5 million barrels per day (bpd) currently to almost 7 million bpd by the end of 2025, and Namibia is committed to being at the heart of this development.

Namibia has recently experienced significant oil and gas discoveries, particularly in the Orange Basin offshore.

Without a doubt, the government’s wish is to move from discovery to actual production, without much delay, but with responsibility. Namibia’s oil and gas sector has developed gradually and steadily.

We call on all our partners to work with us in a manner that reflects our shared commitment to responsible and sustainable progress.

This next step will unlock the revenues needed to invest in infrastructure, diversify our economy, strengthen public services, and uplift our people. Through a well-paced approach, we will ensure our natural resources create long-term opportunity and national progress.

We know the road ahead requires collaboration, technical capability and strong governance, and Namibia is ready. As we grow our national capacity, we will do so in partnership with those who share our vision for sustainable growth and shared value.

Director of Ceremonies, Distinguished Invited Guests,

Our approach to managing natural resources is collaborative. Government, industry, investors, and communities must work together. The model we champion delivers both long-term value to the Namibian people and commercial returns. This is a journey we must walk together, built on trust, mutual benefit, and transparency.

We welcome investment, not just capital, but partnerships that align with our values and vision. We seek partners who invest in
skills, infrastructure, and knowledge transfer, and who remain committed to Namibia’s long-term development goals. The partnerships we form today must deliver a lasting legacy of opportunity for generations to come.

Local content and beneficiation remain central to our strategy for inclusive growth. Our approach is practical, phased, and focused on long-term impact. We recognise that each stage of the energy value chain, from exploration to production, presents different opportunities and requires different levels of participation.

Our goal is to enable meaningful Namibian involvement by building skills, supporting local businesses, and fostering an environment where talent and enterprise can thrive. Just as important, local content also includes value addition such as developing downstream capacity and infrastructure like a refinery, and promoting ownership and meaningful participation of local companies in the sector.

As our national capacity expands, so too will our ability to contribute meaningfully across the entire energy value chain, guided by partnership, readiness, and shared value.

Director of Ceremonies, dear Esteemed Participants,

At the centre of our energy vision is human capital development. Building Namibia’s future means investing in our people, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead in a dynamic global sector.

We are strengthening partnerships between government, academia, and industry to ensure that our education and training systems respond to the needs of a modern energy economy. But we in the government cannot do it alone.

We call on all stakeholders; investors, operators, and service providers to be active partners in building local capacity. Let us prioritise skills development, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing across the energy value chain.

Namibia’s energy future must be led by Namibians, capable, empowered, and globally competitive.

Director of Ceremonies; Distinguished Invited Guests,

Good governance is the foundation of our energy ambitions. The 8th Administration is committed to transparency, accountability and ethical leadership, the values that are essential to building investor confidence and public trust.

Our institutions will continue to be strengthened to ensure that Namibia’s natural wealth is managed fairly, responsibly, and in the best interest of its people. Corruption has no place in this journey, while integrity must guide all Namibians at every step.

Namibia is committed to creating an enabling environment where energy investment can prosper. We are streamlining regulatory processes, strengthening institutional coordination, and ensuring policy clarity to support timely and transparent decisions across the energy value chain.

With one of the most favorable petroleum fiscal regimes and incentives in Africa, Namibia’s fiscal framework encourages equitable sharing of economic benefits when a discovery is made.

We aim to position Namibia as one of Africa’s most attractive and reliable destinations for energy investment, where partnerships are built on trust, accountability, and shared long-term value.

Furthermore, Namibia’s energy ambitions will remain firmly aligned with our environmental values. We take pride in our global reputation for conservation and intend to uphold it. As we grow our energy sector, we will do so with a deep commitment to safeguarding biodiversity, respecting our natural heritage, and pursuing development that is both responsible and sustainable.

Namibia’s vision to become an energy hub is guided by strategy, informed by opportunity, and driven by national and continental priorities. Our geographic position on the Atlantic coast makes us a natural logistics and export gateway to a share of global markets. Combined with our democratic political stability, strong institutions that uphold the rule of law, and expanding infrastructure, gives us a distinct competitive advantage.

We are richly endowed with energy resources, from oil and gas to solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear energy potential. Namibia is also home to critical metals essential for global clean energy technologies. These assets position us as a future-ready energy player: powering our growth, contributing to regional markets, and advancing Africa’s collective energy security.

Our goal is to export power, strategic energy commodities, and knowledge partnerships, while promoting regional integration and helping reshape intra-African trade through energy-led industrialisation.

Director of Ceremonies,

Before I conclude, I wish to acknowledge the vision and effort behind this platform. I am informed that over the past 13 years, the Namibia International Energy Conference has grown into a respected, world-class platform for dialogue, collaboration, and
impact. As a homegrown, woman-led initiative, it has contributed meaningfully to investment attraction, knowledge sharing, and practical solutions for Namibia’s energy future.

In the same regard, I commend and appreciate Ms. Ndapwilapo Selma Shimutwikeni for establishing this platform, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Namibia; you have demonstrated continued leadership in advancing Namibia’s energy agenda globally.

I also applaud the Future Energy Leaders Initiative. The young professionals and students here today reflect the future we are shaping. Your presence affirms our commitment to equipping the next generation to lead Namibia’s energy transformation.

Let me end with a clear and confident message: Namibia is on the path to becoming a leading energy hub, not just in ambition, but in action. This transformation is deliberate, self-directed, and grounded in who we are.

We are shaping a future that reflects our values, is driven by our people, and is aligned with our national priorities. We continue to learn from global best practices and embrace innovation, but we will always adapt these lessons to suit Namibia’s unique context.

1Let us lead the way together with integrity, determination, and a shared commitment to deliver lasting value for our people and the investment community.

In addition to its energy potential, Namibia is one of Africa’s leading tourist destinations, known for its natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality. I invite all delegates, investors, and guests to experience Namibia beyond the conference.
I wish you fruitful deliberations over the days ahead.

It is now my honour to declare the 7th edition of the Namibia International Energy Conference officially open.
I thank you.