Namibia can accelerate the development of its oil and gas industry by learning from Angola’s decades of experience and prioritising early investment in local capacity and infrastructure, RMB Namibia has said.
According to Olavi Hangula, Coverage Manager for Oil and Gas, Energy and Resources at RMB Namibia, the country must act swiftly to establish the logistical infrastructure needed to support exploration and production.
“Angola took close to 25 years to integrate local talent into its oil and gas sector. With investor-friendly interventions and deliberate planning, Namibia can shorten this timeline significantly,” said Hangula.
He noted that Namibia has the opportunity to introduce a local content policy much earlier than Angola did, giving Namibian professionals a head start in participating across the oil and gas value chain.
RMB is also using its position within the wider FirstRand Group to support cross-border project development in the region.
“We don’t view our clients in isolation. Instead, we actively seek synergies among them, fostering partnerships that ultimately benefit the Namibian economy,” Hangula said.
His remarks follow RMB’s participation in the recent U.S.–Africa Business Summit, which he described as a key platform for expanding regional cooperation, particularly in infrastructure development. Projects such as the Lobito Corridor and the Baynes Hydropower Project were among those discussed.
“The summit expanded our already extensive network and introduced us to regional players whose strategic focus aligns with our ambitions,” he said, adding that RMB is now exploring matchmaking opportunities to connect Namibian ventures with broader regional capital flows.
Domestically, RMB is also focusing on skills development. Hangula confirmed that the bank is working on youth-targeted initiatives to help build a pipeline of local expertise for the energy sector, with further announcements expected soon in collaboration with key stakeholders.
“We aim to inspire other sectors to take leadership in early capacitation efforts. This is the only way to ensure Namibia derives maximum benefit from the oil and gas sector,” he said.
Hangula also called for stronger policy engagement between government and the private sector to address infrastructure gaps. He highlighted the importance of aligning national goals with investor expectations, referencing recent remarks by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
“Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized this very point. A deeper appreciation of each party’s interests is essential to accelerate infrastructure development,” he said.
Looking ahead, Hangula said RMB will align its investment strategy with the key lessons from the summit, including the growing U.S. interest in African minerals and the need for strong policy frameworks and regional partnerships.
“As a financial institution, we play a pivotal role in unlocking capital that enables cross-border partnerships to thrive. Our strategy remains focused on supporting sustainable regional growth,” he added.
