Namcor says Namibia could produce more than 2,5 million tons of natural gas annually.
According to Namcor’s executive of upstream development and production, Mtundeni Ndafyaalako, this is based on the recent discoveries of early-stage assessments from 2022 until now.
Ndafyaalako spoke at the Namibia International Energy Conference in Windhoek on Thursday, April 24, 2025, during a Monetising Natural Gas: Lessons, Solutions and Infrastructure session.
Azule Energy’s legal & corporate affairs director, Francisco Simao, moderated the session with BW Kudu/BW Energy Deputy General Manager Manfriedt Muundjua, Standard Bank Head of Oil & Gas Coverage Southern Africa, Paul Eardley-Taylor, Technip Energies Vice President, Early Engagement, Gas & Low Carbon Energies, Dominique Gadelle and Wood Mackenzie Research Director, Upstream Research Ian Thom as panellists.
Ndafyaalako said Namcor has a dual-pronged approach to leveraging legislative frameworks to enable coordinated infrastructure development and foster operator collaboration.
He said Namcor also seeks to expand exploration activities to unlock further resources.
“We have launched a gas monetization strategy project to support both government and industry on how best to commercialize gas,” Ndafyaalako said.
He pointed out that from their appraisals, they now have a clearer picture of production potential and various applications.
Ndafyaalako said the strategy clarifies monetisation pathways to attract new players and investments.
Muundjua said it is important to integrate training, skills transfer, local procurement and local ownership into the broader gas development framework.
He said there is an urgent need to develop downstream investment and infrastructure.
According to Muundjua, BW Kudu has placed Namibian interns to shadow international technical staff to support long-term local capacity building.
He said BW Energy has a downstream investment partner on standby once Kudu, where drilling of four wells is scheduled for October 2025, begins production.
Eardley-Taylor spoke about the need for a “shadow infrastructure” led by public-private partnerships to address energy shortages through gas utilization.
According to Eardley-Taylor, oil revenues should finance gas infrastructure and foster local energy markets.
He said Namibia could assume a role once held by South Africa as the region’s primary energy supplier, particularly as critical mineral projects are willing to pay a premium for a stable power supply.
Thom said he is confident that Namibia could implement a comprehensive Gas Master Plan within the next nine months.
He said gas could increase energy access across Namibia’s residential, commercial and industrial sectors, where only 59% of the population is currently connected to the electricity grid.
Thom said Namibia could generate more value by exporting electricity than raw gas, given the limited infrastructure for gas exports and the high costs associated with building it.
