Locally owned fuel company NASAN Energies is planning to expand outside retail fuel sales into mining and transport industries.
The company, which operates service stations countrywide, announced the expansion plans following a courtesy call on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House.
NASAN Energies is exploring strategic diversification into Namibia’s downstream petroleum sector, with marine bunkering and bulk fuel distribution emerging as potential areas for expansion.
Managing Director Jean-Blaise Ollomo explained that the company currently operates more than 42 service stations but says it faces logistical and fuel supply challenges to growth targets.
NASAN management's immediate priority is upgrading existing outlets that are not performing optimally to improve their commercial capacity.
Ollomo says NASAN's plans to upgrade and enter new markets are geared for employment opportunities.
He assured President Nandi-Ndaitwah that all the undertakings align with priorities under NDP 6.
“NASAN Energies is prioritising the refurbishment and modernisation of its existing assets as part of its growth strategy in Namibia’s downstream petroleum sector. The company has acquired several service stations that are not yet performing to expectations and is engaging with a potential partner to explore ways to upgrade and introduce additional services. The planned upgrades are expected not only to improve operational efficiency and enhance customer experience but also to deliver socioeconomic benefits through job creation and increased employment opportunities for communities surrounding the service stations."
President Nandi-Ndaitwah applauded the company's ambitions, in agreement that Namibian-owned businesses must take the lead in driving the country's economic development.
She said establishing and maintaining capable domestic enterprises also contribute to Africa's collective economic influence in global trade.
“I strongly believe in Africa growing together. When Africa grows together, we become stronger than individual African countries growing independently. A single country may not have much influence or even a meaningful voice in global trade activities. It may simply have to adapt to the decisions and thinking of others. However, if we strengthen ourselves locally, we are contributing to building a stronger Africa with a voice that no one can ignore. I am therefore very pleased to see you, as Namibians, taking the initiative and committing yourselves to playing your part.”
NASAN Energies started operating the fuel stations in May this year, as calls to increase local participation in the energy value chain grow in the oil and gas sector.