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 · Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano · Randy Berry Giordano · U.S. Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano
US Ambassador to Namibia promoting American investment in energy, mining, and critical minerals sectors.
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June 2026
Windhoek Observer
US Ambassador to Namibia John Giordanodelivereda keynote address highlighting Namibia's growing importance in the global race to secure critical minerals
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“At the Critical Minerals Forum's US-Africa Investment Summit, the United States Ambassador to Namibia, John Giordano, delivered a keynote address highlighting Namibia's growing importance in the global race to secure critical minerals, energy resources and integrated industrial systems.”
US Ambassador Giordanoemphasised thatthe US is a key partner supporting Namibia's development through cooperation with the US Export-Import Bank, the US International Development Finance Corporation and the US Trade and Development Agency
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“The United States was identified as a key partner in supporting Namibia's development strategy through commercial diplomacy and cooperation with institutions such as the US Export-Import Bank, the US International Development Finance Corporation and the US Trade and Development Agency.”
US Ambassador John Giordanoengagedenergy company Halliburton at its coastal operations in Namibia
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“US Ambassador John Giordano has engaged energy company Halliburton at its coastal operations in Namibia, highlighting the critical role of onshore infrastructure in supporting offshore oil and gas activities.”
Giordanoemphasisedthe importance of maintaining open and secure sea lanes to support economic activity and commerce
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“Wikoff highlighted opportunities for closer collaboration in promoting maritime security, while Giordano emphasised the importance of maintaining open and secure sea lanes to support economic activity and commerce.”
U.S. Ambassador John GiordanohighlightedNamibia's growing strategic role in Southern African Energy Corridor
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“U.S. Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano has highlighted Namibia's growing strategic role in a proposed Southern African Energy Corridor, as he hosted a high-level engagement with global energy leaders in Windhoek aimed at strengthening partnerships and advancing regional energy integration.”
US ambassador John GiordanosaidNamibia has potential to become promising oil and gas producer
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“Giordano said, "Namibia has the potential to become a promising oil and gas producer – with international energy leaders like Chevron and Shell actively appraising significant offshore discoveries, supported by US oilfield service companies such as Baker Hughes, Halliburton and SLB".”
US ambassador John Giordanobrought togethergovernment officials, international oil and gas executives and energy industry leaders
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“These are the remarks of US ambassador to Namibia John Giordano on the eve of the Namibia International Energy Conference, where he brought together government officials, international oil and gas executives and energy industry leaders at the US Embassy in Windhoek to advance the integration of Namibia's energy, minerals and logistics systems into a scalable Southern African corridor.”
US Ambassador John Giordanosaid his country wants to deepen partnership with Namibia by focusing oninvestment and energy
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“United States (US) Ambassador to Namibia John Giordano said his country wants to deepen its partnership with Namibia by focusing more on investment and energy.”
Namibia and the United States announced a planned, phased reduction of US financial assistance for Namibia's HIV-AIDS response, with US support to transition over the next year from financial assistance to a technical cooperation model. This follows Namibia's achievement of HIV-AIDS epidemic control and surpassing of global targets, including reaching 96-98-98 and exceeding the UNAIDS 95-95-95 fast-track targets.
Namibia and the United States announced a planned, phased reduction of US financial assistance for Namibia's HIV-AIDS response, with US support to transition over the next year from financial assistance to a technical cooperation model. This follows Namibia's achievement of HIV-AIDS epidemic control and surpassing of global targets, including reaching 96-98-98 and exceeding the UNAIDS 95-95-95 fast-track targets.
Activist Michael Amushelelo launched a petition to have US Ambassador John Giordano declared persona non grata, citing concerns about American interest in Namibia's oil, gas, and critical minerals amid worries about foreign interference in the country's sovereignty and resources. The petition, which received over 500 signatures, will be forwarded to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Namibian activist Michael Amushelelo has launched a petition calling on the government to declare United States Ambassador John Giordano persona non grata, citing concerns over Namibia's sovereignty and foreign influence over the country's natural resources, particularly following major oil discoveries.
US Ambassador John Giordano, following a three-day field mission in Namibia, urged stronger law-enforcement focus on transnational criminal networks behind rhino poaching, arguing efforts must extend beyond arresting poachers to identifying traffickers, following money flows, and disrupting overseas markets.
The U.S. Ambassador to Namibia reaffirmed U.S. support for Namibia's efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, highlighting the country's Environmental Crimes Court in Otjiwarongo as crucial in tackling transnational organised crime. Since its inauguration in August 2024, the court has heard 50 wildlife crime cases, resulting in 47 convictions.
The US Ambassador to Namibia says the country's offshore petroleum discoveries could deliver long-term economic benefits, jobs, and skills development, but cautioned that a Final Investment Decision would only mark the beginning of work needed to achieve lasting prosperity. US oilfield service companies are already operating in Namibia.
A US delegation led by Ambassador John Giordano, including officials from the State Department's energy and trade agencies, held high-level meetings with Namibian government officials and industry leaders to expand cooperation in energy security, critical minerals, infrastructure, and emerging technologies. The delegation also represented the US at the Namibian Mining Expo and met with the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy to discuss opportunities in these sectors.
The US ambassador says American companies and technology firms are providing expertise to help Namibia develop its oil resources, and the US is engaged in supporting infrastructure corridors including upgrades to Walvis Bay to connect Namibia's energy resources to global markets.
The US ambassador told an audience at the Namibia Mining Expo that American companies are committed to supporting Namibia's mining and energy development through investment in local jobs, skills development, and value addition across the entire production chain, rather than simply extracting raw materials.
The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Namibia's economic growth through investment and commercial partnerships, with senior US officials and business leaders meeting Namibian government representatives and industry stakeholders to discuss opportunities in mining, energy and investment.
A N$39 million contract awarded to US agricultural technology company 6th Grain to implement an artificial intelligence-driven crop monitoring system for Namibia has sparked public debate over the procurement process and how the agreement was communicated, with the announcement made first by the US Embassy rather than the Namibian government.
US Ambassador Randy Berry Giordano reaffirmed Washington's commitment to strengthening economic and strategic ties with Namibia at a US Independence Day celebration in Windhoek, noting that the partnership is built on shared values of prosperity, energy security, private investment and development. Giordano said Namibia's success depends not only on its mineral wealth but also on the industries, infrastructure and institutions it builds.
Affirmative Repositioning MP Tuhafeni Kalola is questioning remarks made by US ambassador John Giordano to chief justice Peter Shivute, in which Giordano allegedly told judges they could call him to contact people he knows to help with their cases. Kalola argues the remarks appear to breach Article 78(3) of the Namibian Constitution, which safeguards judicial independence, and has asked the justice minister whether the government has assessed the ambassador's statements and whether they constitute an attempt to interfere with the Judiciary.
A senior U.S. delegation led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Nick Checker concluded a four-day visit to Namibia from 11–14 June 2026 to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in trade, investment, energy, mining and logistics. Discussions with Namibian government officials and business leaders focused on deepening commercial ties and attracting investment in sectors including critical minerals and logistics.
The US Ambassador to Namibia said the country's approach to natural resources—including mineral extraction, processing, value addition, and infrastructure development—positions it to attract serious capital. He told attendees at a US-Africa investment summit that Namibia is one of the countries successfully connecting resources, infrastructure, energy, capital and technology into functioning systems.
At the Critical Minerals Forum's US-Africa Investment Summit, the US Ambassador to Namibia highlighted Namibia's growing importance in securing critical minerals and energy resources, noting that economic power increasingly depends on countries' ability to build integrated systems connecting resources, infrastructure, energy, capital and technology into functioning value chains.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.