Namibian businesses have been encouraged to form partnerships to increase their chances of benefiting from the country's growing oil and gas sector. According to Isabel von Oelhafen, the country's oil and gas business development manager, local companies must work together to build collective capacity and avoid losing opportunities to external suppliers. This call to action aims to ensure that Namibian businesses can provide the necessary services to international operators and engineering, procurement, and construction contractors.
The oil and gas industry is expected to create significant demand for various services, including logistics, fabrication, maintenance, technical support, consulting, and catering. Von Oelhafen emphasized that the scale of the industry is such that no single Namibian company can provide all the required services. To overcome this challenge, local businesses are urged to collaborate and combine their expertise, resources, and capabilities. This approach will enable them to meet the requirements of international operators and contractors.
Von Oelhafen stressed the importance of local businesses adopting a collaborative mindset, rather than viewing each other solely as competitors. She encouraged companies to embrace the spirit of Harambee, a concept that promotes unity and collective effort. By working together, Namibian businesses can strengthen their position in the market and increase their chances of benefiting from the oil and gas industry.
To facilitate collaboration and visibility, the Namibia Oil and Gas Supplier Database was established about four years ago. The platform currently connects over 500 local enterprises and professionals with potential opportunities in the sector. Von Oelhafen urged businesses already registered on the platform to encourage other Namibian companies to list their services and capabilities.
The Namibia Oil and Gas Supplier Database aims to address the visibility gap that previously made it difficult for international companies to identify capable and compliant local suppliers. By increasing participation on the platform, international operators and contractors will have a clearer picture of the capacity available locally, strengthening Namibia's domestic supply chain.
The platform also offers opportunities for small and medium enterprises to establish commercial relationships before formal tender processes begin. This approach enables them to position themselves for potential opportunities and avoid waiting for procurement opportunities to be advertised. With Namibia's oil and gas industry still developing, the country has an opportunity to build local capacity alongside the sector's growth.
Von Oelhafen emphasized that collaboration among local companies will be critical to ensuring that the economic opportunities created by Namibia's natural resources translate into broader participation and growth for Namibian businesses. By working together, local businesses can ensure that they are well-positioned to participate in the supply chains of the oil and gas industry and benefit from the sector's growth.
Key points
- Local businesses must work together to build collective capacity and avoid losing opportunities to external suppliers.
- The Namibia Oil and Gas Supplier Database connects over 500 local enterprises and professionals with potential opportunities in the sector.
- Collaboration among local companies is critical to ensuring that the economic opportunities created by Namibia's natural resources translate into broader participation and growth for Namibian businesses.
