NAMIBIA’S ENERGY MOMENT

Mining and Oil & Gas can win together

Growing up in Namibia and playing rugby in high school taught me many things: discipline, teamwork and the importance of preparation. But one memory stands out. Before some of our training sessions, we would have to remove the football posts that were still set up on the same field. The space was not exclusively ours – we had to share it. It might have been inconvenient at times, but looking back, it was a valuable lesson: infrastructure, when shared wisely, can serve more than one purpose and more than one team.

That principle lies at the heart of a conversation Namibia must have about the strategic synergies between our well-established mining sector and the rapidly emerging oil and gas industry.

Mining has long been the backbone of Namibia’s economy. Now, with world-class oil and gas discoveries off our coast, we are entering a new era. But rather than building parallel systems, we have a rare opportunity to think collectively. Just like that high school sports field, logistics, infrastructure and talent pools developed for one sector can –and should – support the other.

A port upgraded for offshore drilling can support bulk mineral exports just as effectively. Roads, power, water and telecommunication networks required for mine operations are just as essential to oil and gas field logistics. Training centres that develop welders, engineers and technicians for mines could upskill Namibians for energy installations with only minor adjustments. We do not need two of everything – we need smart, coordinated investments that serve both.

This is not just about cost savings; it is about unlocking accelerated growth and using shared infrastructure to reduce duplication, fast-track project timelines and extend the impact of every dollar spent.

The true measure of success for both sectors will not be found in balance sheets alone. It will be seen in the quality of life for ordinary Namibians. When the mining and oil & gas sectors thrive, government revenues rise. That fiscal space must then translate to improved infrastructure, better schools, modern hospitals and opportunities for all.

At RMB, we see our role as far more than that of a financier. We are partners in building ecosystems. With deep expertise across mining, oil, gas and energy, we help structure innovative funding solutions, support local supply chain development and engage policymakers to create bankable, sustainable outcomes.

We have one shot at getting this right. The world has shown us both sides of the extractive coin – economies lifted by resource wealth, and others burdened by inequality and missed opportunities. Namibia must chart a different course, where value is created and shared.

At RMB, we see our role as far more than that of a financier. We are partners in building ecosystems. With deep expertise across mining, oil, gas and energy, we help structure innovative funding solutions, support local supply chain development and engage policymakers to create bankable, sustainable outcomes.

Mining and oil & gas are not rivals; they are teammates playing different positions on the same field. Namibia’s moment is now. If we can remove the proverbial goalposts, see the bigger field and play together, we can achieve something far greater than the sum of our parts.

RMB is proud to walk alongside our clients, government and communities on this journey – enabling not just deals, but a better future for all Namibians.

Olavi Hangula

Oil & Gas, Energy and Mining Sector Relationship Manager