Valentine Okafor
The Government of Namibia has urged on international oil operators and service companies to integrate local businesses into their supply chains, in a bid to boost domestic participation in its expanding oil sector.
The Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, made the appeal at the inaugural National Upstream Oil and Gas Local Suppliers’ Workshop in Windhoek on Tuesday.
He encouraged industry stakeholders to support Namibian firms by opening up procurement processes, providing mentorship, and exposing them to global industry standards.
Amutse noted that improved transparency and collaboration would help local companies especially micro, small, and medium enterprises better position themselves for opportunities in the upstream petroleum sector.
The workshop, organised by the Petroleum Training and Education Fund and its partners, aims to boost local capacity through training, improved access to finance, and better understanding of tendering and compliance requirements.
Modestus Amutse said Namibia is working to integrate local businesses into the oil and gas value chain early as offshore projects progress. He stressed that building capacity before first oil is key to driving inclusive growth, job creation, and long-term industrial development.
He also urged financial institutions to increase support for local firms, noting that limited access to capital remains a major barrier in the capital-intensive sector