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Namibia is stepping into the global energy spotlight, with a clear roadmap from exploration success to early production, according to Kornelia Shilunga, Special Advisor and Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit for the Office of the Presidency. Speaking at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies, Shilunga underscored Namibia’s emerging role as a hub for both offshore and onshore petroleum activity.

“In recent years, Namibia has witnessed a series of significant offshore discoveries, firmly establishing the Orange Basin as one of the world’s most promising petroleum regions,” Shilunga said. “These milestones, including discoveries such as Capricornus, Venus and Mopane, confirm Namibia’s growing role as both a destination for exploration and a potential hub for future production.”

Shilunga highlighted the rapid pace of ongoing exploration and appraisal campaigns, noting that international investors and operators are showing strong confidence in the country’s petroleum potential. She also pointed to Namibia’s onshore opportunities, with the Kavango Basin attracting global interest as companies seek to diversify exploration beyond the deepwater Orange Basin.

“Our open licensing regime provides access to deepwater, ultra-deepwater and shallow water acreage,” Shilunga explained. “The government has worked diligently to refine and improve fiscal and regulatory frameworks to ensure that investment terms remain competitive, while safeguarding national interests. We remain committed to partnerships that bring not only capital but also technology and expertise, ensuring that resource development is conducted responsibly and sustainably.”

Namibia’s Orange Basin has witnessed a series of landmark offshore discoveries, highlighting its growing petroleum potential. Following TotalEnergies’ Venus discovery in PEL 56, multiple finds at Galp’s Mopane Complex in PEL 83 – and more recently, the Capricornus, Sagittarius and Voltans discoveries in Rhino Resources’ PEL 85 – have confirmed additional light oil and condensate resources. Onshore, the Kavango Basin continues to draw attention, with ReconAfrica’s drilling at Kavango West-1X expected to provide further insights later this year.

Shilunga framed these developments as part of Namibia’s strategic vision to move beyond exploration: “Our vision is not just to become a producer, but to build a sustainable and responsible energy future that is anchored in partnership and shared prosperity.”

With appraisal activities underway and development planning beginning for key discoveries, Namibia is positioning itself as a rising force in Africa’s energy sector. Competitive fiscal frameworks, transparent licensing and sustainable development serve as key drivers that could accelerate its first commercial oil production around 2029–2030.