At the Ministry of Mines and Energy, we take pride in being the custodians of Namibia’s natural resources. To fulfil this important role, we recognize the need for skilled Namibians to work in the newly discovered oil and gas industries and green hydrogen sectors.
Namibia’s mining sector already boasts a wealth of talent, and we are seeing great potential in upskilling this existing workforce to meet the demands of current and emerging industries. Developing local technical expertise is not just a goal — it is essential for the sustainability and future of our resource sectors.
One of our key initiatives involves a Work-Integrated Learning program, hosting final-year Geoinformation Sciences and Technology and Geoscience students from the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the University of Namibia (UNAM).
These students who are pursuing Bachelor of Science degrees in Geographic Information Sciences (Honours), Bachelor of Science (Biology, Chemistry Physics, Mathematics), bachelor’s degree in Geoinformation Technology, and Bachelor of Science in Geology, successfully completed their three-month internships with the Ministry in September 2024. Twenty-one students have completed their internship program, three from NUST and 19 from UNAM.
As part of the Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) National Internship Project, this program aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing students with practical experience. This hands-on approach ensures that future graduates are equipped with the skills necessary to meet the demands of the industry.
In addition to these local efforts, we are also building strong partnerships with our sister countries. These partnerships have led to the sponsorship of various educational programs, and Namibians are already studying abroad to gain the critical skills needed in the oil and gas and green hydrogen sectors. The Ministry in collaboration with its key stakeholders have deployed Namibians in specialised training programs abroad as part of the Ministry’s ongoing effort to build technical and vocational oil and gas capacity in preparation for the country’s readiness for production.
Through these partnerships and ongoing training programs, we aim to deepen the skills and knowledge required in these newly discovered sectors. By investing in the education and development of our people, we are ensuring that Namibia is well-prepared for the opportunities ahead and manages its resources fully.
Currently, with the skills and knowledge we have within our staff, the industry and across the country, Namibia can provide up to 45% of the expertise needed in these new industries. We are actively working to increase this percentage, and we are confident we will achieve that in the near future.
There is an especially high demand for skilled staff in the upstream side of the oil and gas sectors. We are committed to developing the necessary skills to unlock Namibia’s energy future.
Harnessing Our Resources, Powering Our Future.
