Namibia accelerates infrastructure build-out to support first oil targets

​Namibia is preparing for its annual Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC 2026) in Windhoek from April 14-16, as the country accelerates efforts to position itself for its first oil production.

The event, organised in partnership with the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy and the African Energy Chamber (AEC), will convene upstream operators, investors and policymakers under the theme “The Road to First Oil & Beyond.”

It comes as Namibia ramps up infrastructure development to support its emerging hydrocarbons sector. Logistics readiness—including ports, storage and regional connectivity—is becoming a decisive factor for investor confidence, the AEC noted on March 26.

“The country is embarking on a substantial infrastructure build-out to support high-level production, with a focus on upgraded midstream storage, port expansions, and strengthened regional energy ties,” the chamber said in a statement.

The Namibia Ports Authority (Namport) is strengthening its port and logistics infrastructure to support offshore oil and gas development. The deepening of the Walvis Bay entrance channel now allows larger vessels to dock, improving supply efficiency and reducing reliance on South African ports. New facilities, including a drilling fluid supply base and expanded vessel-servicing capacity, are supporting exploration activities.

Meanwhile, the Port of Lüderitz is being developed as the main offshore logistics hub owing to its proximity to key acreage in the Orange Basin.

According to the AEC, major investments are planned, including Namport’s NAD4bn (about $240mn) port expansion and a dedicated oil and gas supply base, with the first phase of construction scheduled for commissioning by mid-2027. Three bulk cement plants to support drilling operations are under construction in Lüderitz, while Walvis Bay continues to serve as a near-term supply base during exploration and appraisal campaigns.

At the same time, Namibia is considering how to retain more value from future production, as the country currently imports almost all of its refined petroleum products. This includes developing domestic refining facilities or offtake capacity and strengthening regional export links, which will be crucial for maximising long-term benefits from its oil and gas resources.

According to the AEC, Namport has allocated land for energy and industrial clusters at the North Port of Walvis Bay to serve the wider Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, including landlocked neighbouring countries such as Zambia and Botswana.

Offshore oil and gas developments in the Orange Basin remain central to the country’s near-term economic plans. Discoveries made by international energy majors TotalEnergies (EPA/NYSE/LSE: TTE), Shell (LSE/NYSE: SHEL) and Galp Energia (ELI: GALP) have confirmed the basin as one of the world’s most promising oil and gas frontiers.

TotalEnergies aims to take a final investment decision (FID) on the Venus field by the end of 2026, with first oil planned through a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel and a 40-well subsea system.

In December 2025, the company also took over operatorship of the Mopane discovery from Galp, securing a 40% operated stake in PEL 83. TotalEnergies now leads the development of Namibia’s two largest discoveries, with Mopane estimated to hold between 800 million and 1.1 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe).