Namibia’s oil and gas future must be built on local participation, youth inclusion and decisive investment, NJ Ayuk said in a wide-ranging and deeply personal address at the Namibia International Energy Conference in Windhoek.
In a speech that blended personal reflection, direct appeals to investors and strong geopolitical messaging, Ayuk highlighted the role of Namibians in driving the sector and the urgency of turning discoveries into development.
He praised Namibians who have contributed to building the industry and called for continued investment in local talent.
“We can’t talk about it without talking about Namibians who have championed this industry. I remember many years ago, when I came here, and honestly, the first time was very disgraceful. I was 19 years old. I was a student in college. I had a stipend to go abroad. I picked Namibia because some German guy told me you speak German, you’re feeding. I was supposed to be there for three months, and after six weeks, I left because my money ran out.
“I enjoyed the country so well. It was so nice, and Namibia made us feel at home. But Namibians really drove this industry and we cannot discuss that without thanking the contribution of knowledge cutting into this industry. We must recognise those Namibians,” he said.
Ayuk used the platform to directly call on international oil companies to commit capital to Namibia.
“TotalEnergies, bring up some billions. Put it right here. We would love you. But also, it’s really important that even BP, and I say even BP, they are back. Aren’t you guys seeing this deal this week?” he said.
He warned that Namibia’s reliance on imported fuel exposes it to global geopolitical risks.
“We’re at a crossroad. 70% of the petroleum products Namibia receives every day comes from the Strait of Hormuz. 70%. That means that those geopolitical trends that move affect us. That’s a reminder that our energy security in this country is important. That’s a reminder that we can produce energy in Namibia and for Namibians to benefit Namibians and build this country to be what we saw this morning,” he said.
Ayuk placed Namibia’s opportunity within the broader African energy crisis, highlighting the scale of energy poverty and economic loss.
“Energy poverty is real. Most of you know we’ve been talking about energy poverty across this continent. Six hundred million plus Africans still don’t have access to electricity. 1 billion people don’t have access to clean technologies. One million die every year due to indoor pollution. Most of them women. 2.3 trillion dollars effect on women’s health. Sorry on climate that’s been lost every year in Africa. Eight hundred billion on women’s health. One for 4 trillion on our capacity to grow our continent. We need to fix that,” he said.
He pushed back strongly against global pressure on African countries to limit fossil fuel development.
“We have seen an area where we’ve been told to do less, build less, produce less and pay more. Message we get around this country is that they want to see energy freedom, but we have a choice. A choice that says embrace innovation, embrace growth and embrace prosperity. That is what matters to this beautiful energy industry,” he said.
“It is time for us to not just talk about energy transition, but move into energy addition because we need to industrialise. It’s called global warming, not Namibia warming. It’s not Namibia’s fault. I think Namibia deserves the right to produce every drop of hydrocarbons to better the life of its people,” he said.
Ayuk said the industry must urgently address youth inclusion to remain relevant.
“Our industry goes nowhere without young people. We can’t tell our young brothers and sisters to stay back and they’ll be accepted tomorrow. More young people are getting into technology. They want to work for Google or Amazon, not for oil and gas. Our industry has to confront that. It starts with a stem. It starts with us hiring them. It starts promoting them. It starts with us being deliberate to give them those opportunities. Not tomorrow, not next year, but today,” he said.
He urged that local content must translate into real outcomes.
“Local content cannot just be smokes and screens. It has to be action,” he said.
Ayuk said Namibia has an opportunity to play a leading role in regional energy systems.
“Namibia can play a pivotal role as a leader in those systems,” he said.
He concluded with a direct call for bold action to unlock the sector.
“Drill, baby, drill,” he said.
