President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says Namibians have a collective aspiration and responsibility to add value to the country's natural resources, diversify the economy, create jobs, and uplift every Namibian.
The energy sector, she stated, is a critical part of that mission, not only as a catalyst for economic growth but also as a pillar of the broader vision of an energy hub.
She said this in a speech delivered on her behalf by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare at the 7th edition of the Namibia International Energy Conference 2025 in Windhoek.
Stakeholders and partners gathered to chart a course for the energy future, which the President said should be guided by the same principles of integrity, accountability, inclusivity, and national pride.
It's being held under the theme "Leading the Way: Becoming an Energy Hub with In-Country Value", reflecting the national resolve to shape the future with purpose and clarity.
Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah says the focus is on strengthening partnerships between government, academia and industries to ensure education and training systems respond to the needs of a modern energy economy.
"Our goal is to enable meaningful Namibian involvement by building skills, supporting local businesses, and fostering an environment where talent and enterprise can thrive. Just as important, local content also includes value addition such as developing downstream capacity and infrastructure like a refinery and promoting ownership and meaningful participation of local companies in the sector."
Stakeholders are called upon to be active in building local capacity and prioritising skill development, technology transfer and knowledge sharing across the energy value sector.
"Namibia's energy journey has been shaped by foresight and deliberate action. Long before the recent discoveries, the government actively promoted the country's potential in oil, gas, and renewable energy, laying a strong foundation for long-term growth. The establishment of Petrofund as a state-owned enterprise is one that exemplifies such a vision: of a strategic investment in human capital to ensure that Namibians would be equipped to lead when opportunity arrives. Today, those early efforts are bearing fruit, as the sector evolves and momentum builds toward a new chapter of energy-led transformation for Namibia and the continent."
It was re-emphasised that the 8th Administration is committed to transparency, accountability and ethical leadership, the values that are essential to building investor confidence and public trust.
Institutions will also continue to be strengthened to ensure that Namibia's natural wealth is managed fairly, responsibly, and in the best interest of its people, with a warning that corruption has no place in this journey.