Building a balanced and inclusive energy future
Namibia is no longer just a promising frontier in Africa’s energy narrative — it is fast becoming one of its defining chapters. With recent world-class oil discoveries in the Orange Basin and sustained investor attention, the country is on the cusp of unlocking a new era of economic transformation. However, as global industry leaders made clear at the recent Africa Energies Summit in London, this moment will only translate into long-term national prosperity if approached with clarity, consistency, and strategic coordination.
“Namibia offers something rare: peace, predictability, and a long-term vision for progress in a world increasingly defined by volatility and fragmentation,” noted Philip Chapman, CEO of RMB Namibia, during his opening address at the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) in Windhoek. “True transformation depends not just on resources, but on the enabling environment we’ve worked hard to build.”
This sentiment echoed strongly in London, where global energy financiers, operators, and policymakers gathered to assess Africa’s place in the evolving energy landscape. One of Namibia’s strongest voices on that international stage was Angelique Peake, RMB Namibia’s head of Oil & Gas, who participated in a high-level panel titled “Shaping Africa’s Future: Finance and Investment for Upstream Growth.”
“Exploration is back in focus globally,” Peake noted. “There’s a growing consensus that without continued exploration, we risk a future supply crunch. Regions like Namibia, especially the Orange Basin, are at the centre of that conversation. But opportunity alone is not enough — policy clarity, predictability, and commercially viable frameworks are the real currency of investment.”
Her insights highlight a crucial inflexion point for Namibia: the country is in an investment race with geology and governance. In a capital-constrained world, Africa’s upstream prospects are judged by how quickly, transparently, and competitively they can get to first oil. Namibia’s regulatory and fiscal landscape must therefore continue to evolve — and do so with urgency and confidence.
Yet the challenge extends beyond attracting foreign capital. As Peake emphasised, Africa’s energy transition must be understood on its own terms. “Decarbonisation is a global priority, but many parts of Africa are still building their energy base. For Namibia, the goal is reliability, industrialisation, and inclusive growth. We have to build before we can transition.” This balanced perspective is critical. It challenges binary thinking and embraces sequenced, innovative development: responsibly exploiting hydrocarbons today to fuel inclusive progress and fund future diversification. But as enthusiasm around local content and development mandates grows, so too must strategic patience.
“This moment demands financial institutions that do more than fund, that help shape, navigate, and accelerate development outcomes.”
“Trying to lock in too many local requirements too early — before projects even get off the ground — can risk making Namibia less competitive,” Peake cautioned. “Local content is not a checkbox; it’s a journey. We need the technical and financial specialists to unlock the early-stage value, while setting up frameworks that gradually build local participation into the ecosystem.”
This pragmatic, forward-looking stance — shared by public and private sector leaders — will ultimately set Namibia apart. This approach is already deeply embedded in the bank’s philosophy at RMB Namibia.
“We don’t see ourselves as just a financier,” said Chapman. “We are a long-term partner to Namibia’s energy future — offering deep sector expertise, strong local understanding, and a full-service corporate and investment banking platform capable of supporting complex, large-scale projects from upstream to infrastructure.”
RMB Namibia’s positioning reflects what this moment demands: financial institutions that do more than fund — they help shape, navigate, and accelerate development outcomes.
Namibia now stands at the intersection of promise and delivery. The reserves are real, the global attention is high, and the foundational governance is sound. But to truly lead in Africa’s energy future, the country must continue to signal seriousness, through clear policies, reliable timelines, and bold yet balanced execution.
As Chapman concluded at NIEC, “Namibia is ready; now is the time for all relevant stakeholders to act. Policymakers, financiers, global operators, and local businesses must work hand in hand to achieve optimal and balanced outcomes for all stakeholders. We are patient — but also in a hurry.”
This is Namibia’s energy moment.. The world is watching — and investing. It’s time to lead with clarity, with confidence, and with collective purpose.
