The Chief Executive Officer of Rhino Resources, Travis Smithard, said that Namibia's decision to elevate the petroleum sector within government structures has strengthened investor confidence.

Speaking at the Namibia International Energy Conference, Smithard said Namibia is at a critical inflection point that could make it a new strategic player in the global energy system.

Smithard has described Namibia's oil and gas sector as a historic turning point, saying the country is transitioning from exploration success to a globally significant energy province.

The next phase of development, he said, must move beyond exploration achievements toward delivery, including converting discovered resources into reserves and supporting long-term economic transformation.

Smithard noted that clear leadership, policy direction, and institutional coordination are key factors in attracting continued investment in the country.

He added that Namibia's stable political environment and improving governance framework are central to its growing reputation as an attractive destination for energy investment.

"The scale of the opportunity is extraordinary. We're already looking at potential investments between Pell 85, our joint venture, Pell 39 and the total investments that are soon to come, I hope, at investment quantums that are of the order of the magnitude of Namibia's GDP. That's an incredible position for Namibia to be taking. It shows that there's latent demand, which means that there's latent synergy in the region, which means that there's inherent opportunity."

In her address, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia has attracted significant global investment through the strategic promotion of its geological potential, positioning the country as an emerging energy player. 

"This progress is underpinned by major offshore discoveries, particularly in the Orange Basin. TotalEnergies and its partners made the Venus discovery, one of the largest deepwater oil finds globally in recent years," she said. "Shell has confirmed multiple discoveries, including Graff, Jonker, La Rona, and Lesedi. Galp Energia has reported significant findings in the Mopane complex. Additional discoveries by Rhino Resources and Azule Energy Namibia, including the Capricornus and Volans prospects, further reinforce this potential."

Smithard highlighted ongoing offshore drilling and appraisal activities, including upcoming work on the Capricornus 1A well, as evidence of continued momentum in Namibia's upstream sector.