By Veripuami Tjipueja
Following the panel discussions at the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2026, one theme stood out amid the general excitement: the growing gap between public expectations and the sector’s economic realities.
Much of the national conversation understandably centres on the immense opportunities ahead: economic growth, employment, infrastructure development, and the potential transformation of Namibia’s economy.
The excitement is justified. However, alongside this big vision, another critical conversation deserves equal attention: how well do ordinary Namibians actually understand the mechanics behind this development?
During one panel, moderator Shakwa Nyambe highlighted this exact reality, noting that while public expectations around offshore discoveries are high, there is a complex operational and financial process that citizens must also understand.
This knowledge gap was captured perfectly when a colleague recently asked me a simple question: “If these resources belong to Namibia, why do we allow foreign companies to take most of the benefits?”
It is precisely this kind of question that demonstrates why public education is a necessity of governance.
Deepwater oil and gas exploration is extraordinarily capital-intensive and inherently risky. Before a discovery ever translates into commercial production or tax revenues, energy companies invest billions of dollars in exploration, appraisal, and infrastructure, assuming total financial risk without any guarantee of commercial success.
Because international investors absorb these massive upfront risks, petroleum agreements and fiscal terms are legally designed to balance that financial exposure against future returns.
At the same time, Namibia secures its public share through established legal mechanisms, including royalties, petroleum income tax, additional profits tax, and state participation through NAMCOR.
Moving the public debate forward requires moving past simple questions of resource ownership to understand how legal frameworks convert underground wealth into sustainable public revenue.
A similar reality applies to local content. The sector’s success cannot be measured solely by government revenue; Namibian businesses, technicians, and service providers must participate in the supply chain.
Developing local skills and enterprise capacity ensures that value creation extends far beyond the extraction process.
However, these opportunities will not materialise overnight.
Petroleum developments take years, often close to a decade, to progress from initial discovery to commercial production. The public will routinely hear about multibillion-dollar investments long before the broader domestic economy feels direct daily benefits.
Transparently communicating these timelines is essential to managing national expectations without dampening optimism.
Regional experience shows why managing public expectations and local integration is so vital. Mozambique offers a clear warning: the landmark LNG project in Cabo Delgado faced severe delays following a complex security crisis and was formally suspended under force majeure in 2021 before steps were taken to resume operations in 2026. Beyond security, project reporting frequently highlighted frustration among local communities and businesses who felt alienated from the promised economic benefits.
The takeaway for Namibia is clear: major capital projects cannot rely on investment and production goals alone;they require proactive community engagement, transparent communication, and genuine local participation.
This is why accurate public communication matters. Namibians must hear about the transformative opportunities, but they must also understand the investment risks, commercial timelines, fiscal terms, and practical limitations. The national narrative should not focus exclusively on the “big dream”; it must explain the actual process of getting there.
An informed citizenry is far better equipped to ask meaningful questions, hold institutions accountable, participate in supply chains, and engage constructively with both government and industry.
As Namibia moves closer to production, our most critical investment will not just be in deepwater ports, rigs, or technical skills; it will be in public understanding. Our oil and gas story should not simply be about the wealth that lies beneath our waters, but about how effectively we govern, understand, and participate in developing it.
*Veripuami Tjipueja is a Namibian legal professional holding an LLB from the University of Naa and an LLM in Mineral, Petroleum and Extraction Law from the University of Cape Town. Her research focuses on energy and natural resource governance and regulatory compliance.
