Namibia is making significant strides in its collective journey towards sustainable development and inclusive growth in the energy sector, says Petroleum Commissioner of Namibia, Maggy Shino. The country is presently formulating the Namibian Local Content Policy aimed at harnessing the country's vast oil and gas reserves for its benefit.Shino says that at the core of this policy lies the recognition that responsible development of Namibia's petroleum resources must adhere to principles of inclusivity, sustainability, and shared prosperity. “Local content development is not just an ambition; it is an essential mandate for unlocking the full potential of our petroleum sector and ensuring that its rewards are accessible to all Namibians. It entails creating avenues for local businesses to engage meaningfully across the petroleum value chain, from exploration and production to downstream activities,” she points out.She further asserts the petroleum directorate's deep commitment to fostering local content participation. Shino notes that the directorate is diligently working to establish a conducive environment that empowers Namibian enterprises to compete fairly and contribute to the growth and diversification of the economy. “One of our primary objectives is to bolster local capacity and expertise in the petroleum sector. Through targeted capacity-building initiatives, training programmes, and skills development efforts, we are equipping Namibian entities and individuals with the requisite knowledge, skills, and resources to thrive in the petroleum industry.”Addressing the Namibia International Energy Conference 2024 held in Windhoek in April, OPEC secretary general Haitham Al Ghais expressed OPEC's commitment to fostering local deployment opportunities by supporting local supply chains and collaborating with the government on a local content strategy, which remains a pivotal focus in future operations.The objectives of Namibia's local content initiative are to identify opportunities within the oil and gas industry, educate Namibians on the oil and gas value chain, and mitigate information gaps that could impede the competitiveness of indigenous Namibian companies.Minister of Mines and Energy, Tom Alweendo, says that one of Namibia's key priorities is the promotion of local content. He explains that the concept entails implementing broad policy tools that bolster domestic businesses and employment.
