Namibia Minute.
Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
Namibian press · Person

John Giordano

Also known as: Ambassador Giordano · U.S. Ambassador John Giordano · US ambassador Giordano · Ambassador John Giordano · United States Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano · US ambassador John Giordano

US Ambassador to Namibia promoting American investment in energy, mining, and critical infrastructure development.

2026-01-252026-06-08

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. April 2026
  2. The Namibian

    John Giordano highlighted growing cooperation in civil nuclear energy with Namibia

    Source

    Giordano also highlighted growing cooperation in civil nuclear energy, noting that Namibia's position as a leading uranium producer is a key asset in supporting a secure and diversified global energy mix.

    US to boost investment and energy cooperation with Namibia
  3. March 2026
  4. The Namibian

    John Giordano urged Namibians to follow US immigration rules

    Source

    In a statement issued by US ambassador to Namibia John Giordano on Monday, the embassy urged travellers to comply with American immigration rules.

    US embassy warns Namibians of travel bans for visa overstays
  5. Informanté

    U.S. Ambassador John Giordano emphasized the role of the Port of Walvis Bay as a key hub in a developing Southern African energy corridor

    Source

    Speaking during the 22nd Annual Conference and General Assembly of AFUR, held from 22 to 27 March, Giordano joined public and private sector leaders in discussions on the systems required to drive economic growth and strengthen regional energy security.

    Namibia’s Walvis Bay anchors regional energy network
  6. Informanté

    Giordano said global competitiveness depends on countries and regions developing integrated systems at scale

    Source

    Giordano said global competitiveness increasingly depends on the ability of countries and regions to develop integrated systems at scale, rather than on the availability of resources alone.

    Namibia’s Walvis Bay anchors regional energy network
  7. The Namibian

    US ambassador to Namibia John Giordano said Namibia is a prime example of a country central to global energy security

    Source

    "Countries capable of producing strategic minerals and energy resources at scale are becoming central to the security of global supply chains and the reliability of future power systems. Namibia is a prime example of this," Giordano said.

    US wants in on Namibian energy resources
  8. The Namibian

    Giordano said US would aim to position itself as partner to develop Namibia's energy industry

    Source

    As Namibia's role in the global energy supply grows, Giordano said the US would aim to position itself as a partner to help develop the industry.

    US wants in on Namibian energy resources
  9. Informanté

    U.S. ambassador John Giordano handed over equipment to Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu and Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo

    Source

    The equipment for the Wood Identification and Screening Centre was handed over at the Namibian Police Forensic Science Institute in Windhoek by U.S. ambassador John Giordano to Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu and Namibian Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo.

    U.S. hands Namibia forensic timber detection technology
  10. The Namibian

    US ambassador John Giordano says Namibia's conservation space is strategic asset for tourism and growth

    Source

    US ambassador to Namibia John Giordano says Namibia's conservation and research space is a strategic asset, protecting tourism, investment and long-term growth.

    Timber trade is not a regular activity, it’s a crime – minister Iipumbu
  11. Informanté

    Ambassador John Giordano convened a high-level Counter Wildlife Trafficking Roundtable at the U.S. Embassy

    Source

    On February 24, U.S. Ambassador John Giordano convened a high-level Counter Wildlife Trafficking Roundtable at the U.S. Embassy, bringing together Namibian conservation leaders and U.S. government officials to strengthen cooperation against transnational environmental crime.

    U.S. Ambassador Giordano hosts roundtable on combating wildlife trafficking in Namibia
  12. February 2026
  13. Informanté

    John Giordano attended the memorial service as United States Ambassador to Namibia

    Source

    The memorial service, organised by the Ministry of International Relations and Trade, brought together President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, United States Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano, members of the Diplomatic Corps, government officials and political leaders honour the life and legacy of one of the world's most influential voices for human rights.

    Namibia honours Reverend Jesse Jackson’s legacy of solidarity and justice
Mining & Energy

US ambassador visits Halliburton operations supporting Namibian offshore oil

The News

US Ambassador John Giordano visited Halliburton's coastal operations in Namibia to highlight the role of onshore infrastructure in supporting offshore oil and gas exploration and production. The ambassador emphasized the importance of local workforce development and skills training alongside advanced technical capability for sustaining long-term energy production.

Why it matters

US ambassador's visit to Halliburton operations highlights strategic offshore oil sector infrastructure development and the importance of local workforce skills in energy production.

28 April 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 28 April

  1. US ambassador visits Halliburton operations supporting Namibian offshore oil

    US Ambassador John Giordano visited Halliburton's coastal operations in Namibia to highlight the role of onshore infrastructure in supporting offshore oil and gas exploration and production. The ambassador emphasized the importance of local workforce development and skills training alongside advanced technical capability for sustaining long-term energy production.

    28 April 2026 · Informanté

  2. US naval commander visits Namibia for maritime security talks

    The Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Africa visited Namibia to strengthen maritime cooperation with Namibian officials and the U.S. Ambassador, focusing on enhancing shared maritime security interests and safeguarding trade routes across the South Atlantic.

    28 April 2026 · Informanté

Friday 24 April

  1. US naval delegation visits Namibia for maritime talks

    A delegation from US Naval Forces Africa visited Windhoek and Walvis Bay to meet with Namibian government and defence officials, focusing on shared maritime security interests in the South Atlantic.

    24 April 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 18 April

  1. US envoy promotes Namibia as regional energy and minerals hub

    U.S. Ambassador John Giordano highlighted Namibia's strategic role in a proposed Southern African Energy Corridor, emphasizing its potential as an oil and gas producer and leading uranium exporter, while noting that success requires clear regulatory frameworks and strong government-industry alignment. The remarks were made during a high-level engagement at the U.S. Embassy with global energy leaders ahead of the Namibia International Energy Conference.

    18 April 2026 · Informanté

Thursday 16 April

  1. US Ambassador highlights Namibia as southern African energy corridor node

    US Ambassador John Giordano convened government officials and international energy executives at the US Embassy to advance integration of Namibia's energy, minerals and logistics systems into a scalable Southern African corridor. Giordano emphasized Namibia's potential as an oil and gas producer anchored by uranium production and robust infrastructure, while stressing the importance of regulatory clarity and alignment among governments, industry and capital for execution.

    16 April 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 7 April

  1. US to boost investment in energy, critical minerals

    The US Ambassador to Namibia said his country wants to deepen partnership with Namibia by expanding investment in offshore oil and gas, critical mineral exploration, and infrastructure projects, while also strengthening cooperation in civil nuclear energy. Namibian officials attended an international nuclear energy conference in Nairobi with US support, positioning Namibia's uranium sector to expand into the broader nuclear value chain.

    7 April 2026 · New Era

Monday 6 April

  1. US aims to expand investment in Namibia's energy and mining sectors

    US Ambassador John Giordano said the US wants to grow partnership with Namibia by focusing on investment and energy, particularly in offshore oil and gas, critical mineral exploration, and nuclear energy development. US financing institutions are expected to support projects for the southern African energy corridor, with Namibia's position as the world's third-largest uranium producer seen as a key asset for global energy security.

    6 April 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 1 April

  1. U.S. Embassy warns Namibians of severe consequences for visa overstays

    The U.S. Embassy in Windhoek has cautioned Namibian travelers that overstaying a U.S. visa can result in travel bans, visa ineligibility, and criminal charges, stressing that the authorized period of stay is determined by the "Admit Until Date" on the I-94 form, not the visa expiration date. U.S. Ambassador John Giordano emphasized that travelers must comply with immigration rules and that intent does not excuse overstays.

    1 April 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 31 March

  1. US Embassy warns Namibians of visa overstay penalties

    The US Embassy in Namibia has cautioned Namibian travellers that overstaying their US visas can result in travel bans, visa ineligibility, criminal charges, and permanent damage to future travel prospects. The embassy stressed that compliance with the "admit until date" on the I-94 form is mandatory, and that intent does not excuse violations.

    31 March 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 29 March

  1. Walvis Bay port anchors regional energy and logistics network

    The African Forum for Utility Regulators conference in Swakopmund highlighted Namibia's strategic importance in regional energy and logistics, with the U.S. Ambassador emphasizing Walvis Bay's role as a key hub in a developing Southern African energy corridor that connects the region's resources to global markets.

    29 March 2026 · Informanté

Wednesday 25 March

  1. US aims to partner with Namibia on energy and minerals

    US Ambassador John Giordano said at the Powering Africa Summit that Namibia's uranium, oil, and gas resources make it central to global energy security, and the US seeks to position itself as a development partner to help strengthen supply chain resilience while positioning American companies early in Namibian projects.

    25 March 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 10 March

  1. U.S. gives Namibia timber forensic detection technology

    The United States has handed over advanced forensic equipment to Namibia's police forensic institute to identify timber species and combat illegal timber trafficking, making Namibia the only African country with this technology. The equipment, part of a broader US$8.7 million U.S. programme launched in 2020, enables law enforcement to verify shipments, detect protected wood, and provide evidence for criminal prosecutions.

    10 March 2026 · Informanté

Saturday 7 March

  1. Minister calls timber trade a crime; forensic centre opens

    Home Affairs Minister Lucia Iipumbu says timber trade is a serious crime undermining lawful commerce and threatening biodiversity, not a regular trading practice. The government has launched a Wood Identification and Screening Centre in Windhoek with US support to detect illegal timber species and prosecute forest crimes using scientific methods.

    7 March 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 6 March

  1. U.S. Ambassador convenes wildlife trafficking task force in Windhoek

    U.S. Ambassador John Giordano brought together Namibian conservation leaders and U.S. officials at a roundtable to strengthen cooperation against wildlife trafficking, focusing on enforcement, prosecution, and regional coordination. The United States has provided more than $8.7 million since 2016 to support Namibia's counter-trafficking efforts, which have yielded increased convictions and reduced poaching rates.

    6 March 2026 · Informanté

Saturday 28 February

  1. Namibia honours Reverend Jesse Jackson's apartheid era support

    Namibia held a memorial service honouring Reverend Jesse Jackson for his support of the country's independence struggle and opposition to apartheid, raising his voice at the United Nations and providing platforms for Namibian leaders to mobilise global support.

    28 February 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 24 February

  1. U.S. Ambassador urges stronger cross-border law enforcement cooperation

    U.S. Ambassador John Giordano stressed the importance of international law enforcement cooperation in combating transnational crime and money laundering at a UNODC workshop in Windhoek. The three-day workshop brings together Namibian and international stakeholders to develop practical guidelines on mutual legal assistance and improve cross-border law enforcement coordination.

    24 February 2026 · Informanté

Thursday 19 February

  1. US Ambassador leads diplomatic push for Namibia's energy and critical minerals

    United States Ambassador John Giordano completed a 10-day mission across Namibia, Washington and Cape Town to mobilise American capital and technology into Namibia's oil, gas and mining industries, framing critical minerals as essential to US energy security in the "AI era". The diplomatic push aims to position US firms to compete in Namibia's offshore energy, uranium and critical minerals sectors while deepening strategic energy partnerships.

    19 February 2026 · New Era

  2. U.S. energy officials discuss oil, gas cooperation with Namibia

    Senior U.S. energy officials, including a Department of Energy envoy and a critical minerals advisor, met with Namibian petroleum industry leaders and U.S. energy services companies in Windhoek and Walvis Bay to discuss investment, infrastructure, and strengthened bilateral cooperation in Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector and energy security.

    19 February 2026 · Informanté

Wednesday 18 February

  1. US ambassador highlights American companies' job creation in Namibia

    US Ambassador John Giordano says American companies create jobs and contribute to economic growth in Namibia. During a visit to Baker Hughes at Walvis Bay, he spoke with leaders from US energy and oil-gas firms about opportunities in Namibia's emerging sector and strengthening bilateral partnership.

    18 February 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 17 February

  1. US energy officials tour Baker Hughes facility at Walvis Bay

    A US government delegation led by Ambassador John Giordano visited Baker Hughes' integrated facility at Walvis Bay Port to observe Namibia's energy sector development. The company operates major infrastructure including liquid mud and cement facilities that support offshore operations and local employment and training initiatives.

    17 February 2026 · New Era

  2. Namibia seeks value-added trade with US, rejects raw mineral exports

    With heightened US interest in Namibia's uranium, lithium, and oil resources, Namibian trade officials say they will promote mineral beneficiation, downstream processing, and manufacturing partnerships rather than exporting raw materials alone. The government aims to position Namibia as a stable investment partner and regional logistics hub, with US ambassador visiting the Erongo region to assess energy opportunities including the Orange Basin and Port of Walvis Bay.

    17 February 2026 · New Era

Sunday 15 February

  1. U.S. Ambassador explores energy investment opportunities in Walvis Bay

    U.S. Ambassador John Giordano and officials from the Department of Energy toured Walvis Bay to assess Namibia's energy sector and explore opportunities for American investment, expertise, and technology, with a focus on job creation and economic growth in both countries.

    15 February 2026 · Informanté

Saturday 14 February

  1. US ambassador sees Walvis Bay as regional energy trade hub

    The US ambassador to Namibia said Walvis Bay port could become a major gateway for energy and trade in southern Africa, strengthening secure supply chains and reducing dependence on fragile routes. American companies and organizations are ready to support the port's expansion with expertise in port safety and engineering.

    14 February 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 12 February

  1. US Ambassador promotes American investment in Namibian mining

    US Ambassador John Giordano held talks with Namibian officials on expanding the US–Namibia partnership in critical minerals, citing Namibia as a regional leader in sound mining policy and responsible governance. The discussions focused on bringing American technical expertise, innovation and investment to support job creation, industrial development and energy security in the mining sector.

    12 February 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 10 February

  1. Namibia urged to negotiate stronger US resource deals

    Lawmakers have urged the government to negotiate stronger, value-driven deals as the US seeks to position Namibia as a strategic partner for uranium and offshore oil and gas resources. Parliamentarians stress that Namibia must prioritize national interests and negotiate from strength, with some citing Venezuela's institutional collapse as a cautionary lesson.

    10 February 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 8 February

  1. U.S. appoints Giordano ambassador to boost energy and minerals ties

    The United States has appointed Ambassador John Giordano to Namibia to deepen cooperation on energy security, critical minerals, infrastructure investment and supply chains. U.S. officials say Namibia's role as the world's third-largest uranium producer, an emerging offshore oil and gas frontier, and stable investment destination positions it as a key strategic partner in Southern Africa.

    8 February 2026 · Informanté

Tuesday 27 January

  1. US, Namibia launch joint counterproliferation finance training

    The United States and Namibia held a three-day National Counterproliferation Finance Legal Frameworks Training in Windhoek to strengthen Namibia's laws and systems against illegal financial activities linked to weapons proliferation. US Ambassador John Giordano said the training helps detect suspicious financial flows used to fund nuclear and missile programmes, and builds on workshops held in 2022 and 2024.

    27 January 2026 · New Era

Sunday 25 January

  1. U.S. Ambassador opens counterproliferation finance training in Windhoek

    U.S. Ambassador John Giordano opened a three-day National Counterproliferation Finance Legal Frameworks Training workshop in Windhoek, organized by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Arms Control and Non-proliferation in collaboration with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The initiative aims to strengthen Namibia's legal frameworks and operational capacity to address proliferation finance risks and improve coordination among stakeholders.

    25 January 2026 · Informanté

John Giordano — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute