TotalEnergies says it has spent more than US$141 million on local goods and services since 2022, as it steps up efforts to increase Namibian participation in the country’s emerging oil and gas sector.
Speaking at an upstream oil and gas local suppliers workshop, TotalEnergies Lead for Contracts, Procurement, Engineering and Local Content, Veronica Mungonena, said the number of direct suppliers has grown from eight to 62, with a strong focus on majority Namibian-owned businesses.
“To date, we have spent over US$141 million on local goods and services, and about 10% of our expenditure so far has been directed towards local suppliers. We are making a strong effort to ensure that Namibian suppliers are part of this journey,” she said.
Mungonena said supplier development remains central to the company’s operations, with ongoing efforts to expand the number of local businesses participating in its value chain.
However, she cautioned that participation in the oil and gas value chain requires strict compliance with international standards.
Suppliers must meet requirements related to safety, technical capability, regulatory compliance and operational standards, particularly for offshore activities conducted far from shore.
Mungonena also urged local businesses to focus on clearly defined areas of expertise rather than attempting to offer a broad range of services without the necessary capacity.
She said building strong capabilities in specific sectors will be critical to improving competitiveness.
“So far, we have engaged with various business communities, participated in industry conferences and hosted multiple supplier workshops. Additional targeted sessions are planned, including engagements focused on waste management and transportation,” she said.
