Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
July 2026
The Namibian
Petroleum Training and Education Fundhas supported securingemployment and internship opportunities for 60 young Namibians
Source
“Petroleum Training and Education Fund chief executive Nillian Mulemi at the event said the fund has supported 60 young Namibians to secure employment and internship opportunities with upstream operators and service companies.”
PETROFUNDhas signedmore than 10 strategic memoranda of understanding with upstream operators and service companies
Source
“PETROFUND said it has signed more than 10 strategic memoranda of understanding with upstream operators and service companies, creating opportunities for internships, workplace training and employment pathways for young Namibians.”
PetrofundsignedMemorandum of Understanding with Yinson Production in November 2025
Source
“The company has reinforced its long-term commitment by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Petroleum Training and Education Fund (Petrofund) in November 2025.”
Petrofundhas investedover N$115 million in training more than 400 Namibians since 1992
Source
“Since its inception in 1992, Petrofund has invested over N$115 million in training more than 400 Namibians, including over 70 who benefited from highly specialised programmes essential across the exploration, development and decommissioning stages of the upstream oil and gas value chain.”
Petrofundunveilednew brand identity and website with PetroConnect digital database
Source
“It is my distinct honour to officially unveil the revitalised Petrofund brand identity, together with the new Petrofund website and the PetroConnect digital database.”
The Presidency has designated the Upstream Petroleum Unit as the regulator of upstream petroleum local content, following Cabinet approval of a new local content policy on 4 August. This represents a shift from an earlier version that gave regulatory powers to the Ministry of Industrialisation, Mines and Energy, a change that has drawn parliamentary concerns about reduced oversight of the natural resource sector.
The Presidency has designated the Upstream Petroleum Unit as the regulator of upstream petroleum local content, following Cabinet approval of a new local content policy on 4 August. This represents a shift from an earlier version that gave regulatory powers to the Ministry of Industrialisation, Mines and Energy, a change that has drawn parliamentary concerns about reduced oversight of the natural resource sector.
A report by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and the International Labour Organization warns that Namibia currently has only about 45% of the skills required to support its emerging oil and gas sector, with major offshore discoveries by Shell, TotalEnergies, and Galp Energia expected to drive first oil production around 2029 or 2030. The report highlights a mismatch between skills produced by local education and training institutions and the specialized competencies demanded by the industry.
Upstream Petroleum Unit head Kornelia Shilunga told young people at a Walvis Bay summit that success in Namibia's oil and gas industry requires competence, professionalism, and international standards—not just the Bosiet safety certificate, which is a mandatory requirement for those already employed offshore, not a path to employment.
More than 60 young Namibians have secured internships and employment with international oil and gas companies as the country develops its petroleum sector. PETROFUND has signed over 10 memoranda of understanding with upstream operators and service companies to create training and employment pathways for Namibian youth.
As Namibia prepares for offshore oil production, the government must formalize and gazette the National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy (finalized in March 2025) to ensure Namibian businesses and workers benefit from the sector. The article uses a kitchen analogy to argue that formal rules—modeled on lessons from Brazil and Norway—are essential for Namibia to build generational wealth from its oil resources.
As TotalEnergies and other companies approach final investment decisions on Orange Basin projects before 2026, the oil and gas sector will begin broad procurement across raw materials, infrastructure, and services. However, most Namibian small and medium enterprises are not yet positioned to compete for these opportunities.
Petrofund, Namibia's Petroleum Training and Education Fund, has commenced a two-day workshop to help Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises understand opportunities and global standards required by International Oil Companies in the oil and gas sector. Minister Modestus Amutse emphasised that the initiative aligns with the government's strategy to increase MSME contribution to the national economy from 16% and noted that local capacity development is critical as Namibia approaches its first Final Investment Decision.
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.
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's local content policy in oil and gas should be measured by actual skilled employment, apprenticeships linked to real job demand, and technology transfer—not merely spending figures or scholarships—to prevent fronting and ensure young Namibians gain lasting capability and productive livelihoods.
Malaysia-based Yinson Production has identified Namibia as a key emerging market for offshore oil and gas development, anticipating strong global demand for floating production and storage units. The company has signed a memorandum with Petrofund to develop local content through training and scholarships, and plans to open a Namibia office in January 2026.