By Michelle Ngaujake
Once again, the conference underscored the steady progress and ongoing momentum behind Namibia’s growing oil and gas industry.
Delegates from around the world shared insights on timelines, partnerships, and opportunities, demonstrating strong interest in what’s happening here. Yet amid the excitement, one issue kept coming up: the pace of Namibia’s local content policy.
Although a draft local content policy exists, it has yet to be ratified. Until then, the absence of a binding framework creates uncertainty. This makes it even more urgent for businesses to act proactively, ensuring readiness while policymakers finalize the framework.
International oil companies and service providers are not waiting for the policy to be finalized. For many of them, local content is already embedded in how they do business.
They bring frameworks emphasizing skills transfer, supplier development, and community engagement, lessons learned from mature oil provinces worldwide. For these companies, local content is not merely compliance; it is integral to operating efficiently and sustainably.
“Readiness comes before regulation.”
So the question is not whether local content will happen. It will. The question is: will it happen in a way that truly benefits Namibia?
International companies are already delivering local content, drawing on their global frameworks and best practices. However, without a national framework in place, these efforts may not always align seamlessly with Namibia’s specific long-term goals.
Without clear direction, local businesses risk being sidelined, missing opportunities to develop fabrication capabilities, high-value services, and the skilled workforce the sector requires. Even though international companies are creating opportunities, they often prioritize certified suppliers and specialized contractors who meet international quality, safety, and environmental standards.
Waiting for policy alone could leave Namibian businesses confined to lower-value roles, despite their potential to achieve much more.
As was observed, Namibia has a foundation to build on. Established sectors like fishing and mining already provide transferable skills that can be leveraged for oil and gas.
Offshore vessel management, heavy equipment handling, and logistics are already part of the economy and can adapt to support the new industry. Leveraging existing capabilities gives local businesses a head start and positions them for more strategic roles as the sector grows.
A strategic path for Namibian companies involves collaborating closely with international players locally while exploring opportunities abroad. This dual approach exposes them to global standards, technology, and best practices, while broadening capabilities in competitive markets. Acting this way accelerates readiness and ensures local companies are partners, not just participants, in shaping the sector’s future.
“Collaborating with international players and exploring opportunities abroad accelerates readiness and builds capacity.”
The opportunity is clear. By preparing now, local enterprises can get ahead. Investing in training, certifications, and partnerships with international players positions Namibian companies for high-value roles once development begins.
Areas like logistics, maintenance, environmental services, digital solutions, and technical training offer early entry points. Engaging in these sectors now allows Namibians to gain experience, build reputations, and demonstrate capability before large-scale projects start.
“Local content success begins with preparation, not just when first oil is produced.”
Government frameworks remain important, providing oversight, accountability, and a fair playing field. But readiness cannot wait for legislation. Local businesses must not only meet international standards but also position themselves to capture emerging opportunities, while policymakers focus on securing long-term national benefits. Acting on both fronts ensures Namibia is ready to seize opportunities as they arise.
There were encouraging signs at the conference. Several international delegates expressed willingness to work with local companies that demonstrate readiness and capability. The message was clear: those who act decisively will be first in line.
“Those who act decisively will be first in line.”
Policy will come. But no policy, however well-crafted, can compensate for lost opportunities. Namibia’s success will be measured by how effectively its people and businesses participate, build capacity, and shape a sustainable energy future.
The message is simple. Readiness comes before regulation. Namibia must ensure that when first oil flows, its people and businesses are not just participants, but partners in an industry capable of transforming the nation. Being proactive, strategic, and committed to standards will determine who leads and who follows in this exciting new chapter.
*The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of her current employer. They aim to foster constructive dialogue within the industry.
The Author: Michelle Ngaujake is an oil and gas professional based in Namibia. She holds an LLM in Oil and Gas Law from the University of Aberdeen (Scotland), among other qualifications. With over two decades of experience spanning government relations, business strategy, regulatory affairs, and investment policy, she brings a unique, cross-sector perspective to the energy space. Her writing explores the intersection of natural resource governance, investor confidence, and inclusive economic development
