SMEs gain ground in Namibia’s upstream Oil and Gas Sector
In a concerted effort to support the growth of Namibia’s oil and gas sector while advancing local participation and capability building, FNB Namibia, RMB Namibia, the Petroleum Training and Education Fund (PETROFUND), and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) recently hosted the Upstream Oil and Gas Suppliers’ Workshop in Windhoek. The two-day event convened more than 200 delegates from across the financial sector, public institutions, local enterprises, and leading oil and gas
operators and service providers. Hosted free of charge for local businesses and streamed across local platforms to ensure broader access and inclusion, the two-day workshop created a meaningful platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to better understand Namibia’s evolving upstream oil and gas landscape, strengthen networks, and explore participation opportunities across the value chain. The workshop builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2025 between PETROFUND and FirstRand Namibia (comprising of FNB Namibia, RMB Namibia, FNB Commercial, and FNB Retail) which formalised a shared commitment to targeted skills development, capacity building, and the empowerment of local suppliers. The partnership aims to ensure Namibians are equipped with the training, resources, and opportunities needed to participate meaningfully in the sector while strengthening in-country value retention.
Delivering the welcoming remarks on the opening day, Conrad Dempsey, Chief Executive Officer of FirstRand Namibia, highlighted the importance of collaboration in building a sustainable and inclusive energy ecosystem that supports local supplier development and long-term economic growth. “Namibia’s oil and gas opportunity is significant, but its true value will only be realised if we build it together. This requires deliberate collaboration between industry, government, and financial partners to ensure that local businesses are not only included but are equipped to compete and thrive across the value chain. At FirstRand Namibia, we remain committed to enabling that ecosystem through access, skills development, and meaningful partnerships that drive sustainable economic participation,” said Dempsey.
The programme featured presentations and engagements by key industry stakeholders and operators. Otiniel Ndivayele, FNB Namibia SME Business Development Manager, delivered a presentation and participated in a panel discussion focused on financing opportunities available to SMEs entering the oil and gas value chain. The session explored funding considerations, partnership models, and the importance of business readiness for local enterprises seeking to scale into the sector. A panel discussion, moderated by Olavi Hangula, RMB Namibia’s Oil, Gas and Energy Sector Coverage Manager, brought together operators including TotalEnergies, Shell, Rhino Resources, and Reconnaissance Energy Africa. The dialogue unpacked emerging opportunities in the upstream sector, as well as practical considerations for SMEs engaging with operators and service providers. On the final day, Naftal Akweenda, FNB Namibia Oil, Gas and Energy Sector Manager, moderated a question-and-answer session with Tier 1 upstream oil and gas service companies. The discussion focused on how local companies can participate meaningfully in the value chain, invoicing requirements, and what SMEs and local businesses need to successfully onboard and transact with operators and service providers.
Through initiatives such as the Upstream Oil and Gas Suppliers’ Workshop, FNB Namibia and the wider FirstRand Namibia Group, together with their partners, continue to support skills development, supplier readiness, and inclusive participation, ensuring Namibian businesses are well positioned to benefit from
opportunities emerging across the country’s energy sector. As part of the next phase of this initiative, a guideline booklet capturing key insights, learnings, and practical guidance from the workshop will be released soon. Businesses are encouraged to look out for this resource as a valuable tool to support
their journey into Namibia’s oil and gas sector.
