PetroFund invests N$115 million in oil and gas skills
Empowering
The Petroleum Training and Education Fund (PetroFund) has invested more than N$115 million since 1992 to equip Namibians with the skills required for the country’s fast-growing oil and gas industry, chief executive officer Nillian Mulemi has revealed.“This investment has enabled more than 400 Namibians to acquire skills essential to the exploration, development and decommissioning phases of the upstream oil and gas value chain,” Mulemi said, underscoring the Fund’s pivotal role in preparing a local workforce.
The programmes include academic scholarships, internships and on-the-job training opportunities, both locally and internationally. Beneficiaries have received training in the United Kingdom, the United States, Malaysia, France and South Africa, with plans under way to expand placements to Canada next year.
Mulemi also announced the onboarding of 16 cadets who will undergo training in South Africa through a partnership with Vinson Production. “This initiative ensures that we have a skilled workforce ready to support oil and gas production as operators approach final investment decisions,” she said.
Beyond foundational training, PetroFund has expanded into advanced qualifications, celebrating its first PhD graduate in petroleum engineering earlier this year. “This milestone demonstrates Namibia’s growing capacity to produce highly specialised professionals for the oil and gas sector,” Mulemi added.
The Fund is also extending its secondary school scholarship programme to the //Karas region, targeting learners from disadvantaged backgrounds. Students will attend Lüderitz Blue School, with courses designed to spark interest in STEM subjects—science, technology, engineering and mathematics—as well as the arts, from Grade 8 through to Grade 12.
“This programme aims to encourage young Namibians to pursue careers in the oil and gas industry,” Mulemi said.
To strengthen collaboration with industry stakeholders, PetroFund has signed 13 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) focusing on scholarships, on-the-job training and skills development. Mulemi further highlighted the Fund’s new brand identity, which features an infinite loop symbolising continuous learning, alongside intertwined petroleum elements representing collaboration.
PetroFund has also launched PetroConnect, a digital CV repository designed to link operators with qualified Namibian professionals. “I encourage all aspiring professionals to register and take advantage of these opportunities,” Mulemi said, reaffirming the Fund’s commitment to preparing Namibia for a sustainable and inclusive oil and gas future.