Namibia's oil and gas sector could boost the economy, but some residents in the Kavango West Region think the 10% benefit share is too small to grow the economy. 

At the Local Content Petroleum Upstream Development Regional Consultation at Nkurenkuru, residents emphasised that a favourable benefit-sharing arrangement would support local development and ensure tangible benefits for the region's people.

Namibia faces challenges due to limited expertise in managing complex projects, and a need for significant infrastructure development to support large-scale oil and gas operations is also a challenge.

Charles Mbeha, Deputy Director for Legal and Compliance at the Upstream Petroleum Unit, shared that Namibia partnered with international companies to tap into their expertise while maintaining control over its resources. 

"Nothing stops the government from being a 100% shareholder. But if the government is going to take that route, then it means the government must also take money from its own pockets and fund those activities, and then the government will become 100%. We need to draw a balance whereby you don't expect someone to fund the activities since independence; they are searching, and when they came here, we told them that it's 10%."

Mbeha further added that if oil is discovered under your property, you are only compensated for your property, as the oil belongs to no one but the government.

Petroleum Commissioner Maggy Shino highlighted that the Namibian government prioritises local participation.

Meanwhile, Kavango West Region Governor Verna Sinimbo has emphasised the need for a more equitable distribution of government resources and more specific criteria for beneficiation.