A New Era for Namibia’s Energy Sector: Insights from Tom Alweendo
Tom Alweendo Joins African Energy Week
Tom Alweendo, Namibia’s former Minister of Mines and Energy, is set to join industry leaders as a speaker at the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025. This much-anticipated event will take place in Cape Town from September 29 to October 3. Alweendo, who served in his ministerial role from 2018 until March 2025, has recently established Alvenco Advisory, a consultancy dedicated to assisting investors in navigating the intricate political, fiscal, legal, and environmental frameworks of Namibia.
Comprehensive Advisory Services
Alvenco Advisory offers a range of tailored services designed to meet the diverse needs of investors. The firm focuses on policy and regulatory compliance, ensuring alignment with national development priorities, and facilitating effective stakeholder engagement at both community and government levels. By capitalizing on Alweendo’s extensive experience in public service and his robust network, the consultancy aims to support responsible investment practices that unlock value, foster industrial participation, and contribute to Namibia’s long-term socio-economic goals.
A Hub for Energy Projects
The African Energy Week has quickly established itself as the premier platform for various stakeholders in the energy sector, including project operators, financiers, technology providers, and government officials. It serves as an essential gathering where significant agreements within African energy are made. For more details about this engaging event, visit AECWeek.com.
Booming Offshore Oil and Gas Sector
Namibia’s offshore oil and gas industry is on an impressive growth trajectory, characterized by a series of major discoveries and increased exploration activities. This upward trend reached a new benchmark in April 2023 when the Capricornus 1-X exploration well, located in offshore Block 2914A, resulted in a successful light oil discovery. Operated by Rhino Resources, in partnership with Azule Energy, Namcor, and Korres Investments, the well recorded a remarkable 11,000 barrels of oil per day during testing, showcasing a commercially viable light oil system.
This discovery aligns with the characteristics seen at the nearby Venus and Graff finds, further bolstering the Orange Basin’s status as a key petroleum region globally. The African Energy Chamber (AEC) has commended the PEL85 joint venture partners for achieving one of Namibia’s most significant oil discoveries, highlighting its potential to attract additional investment, expedite appraisal drilling, and accelerate development initiatives.
Future Drilling Plans
Looking ahead to 2025, drilling momentum in Namibia is expected to stay strong, with seven wells planned for this year. Notable projects include the Marula-1X by TotalEnergies and a follow-up well from Rhino Resources on Block PEL85. Additionally, the Kharas prospect within BW Energy’s Kudu license signifies ongoing confidence from major international operators. Further exploration opportunities are emerging with the identification of additional prospects at Olympe and Saturn.
New Licensing Opportunities
Namibia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy has announced new licensing opportunities for 2025 under an open licensing framework, which covers deepwater, ultra-deepwater, and shallow-water environments. The government, through the Petroleum Commission, is emphasizing its commitment to drawing in new investments, while also ensuring that discoveries progress swiftly to first oil and yield significant benefits for the national economy.
Advancements in Development Planning
In addition to exploration activities, development planning is moving forward for two of Namibia’s largest oil finds. TotalEnergies is focusing on its Venus project in Block 2913B, with plans for a final investment decision by 2026 and a 150,000-barrels-per-day floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility. Similarly, Galp is advancing the appraisal of its Mopane discovery, leveraging 3,500 square kilometers of newly acquired high-density seismic data.
A Pivotal Time for Namibia
Tom Alweendo’s leadership and deep understanding of Namibia’s energy landscape arrive at a crucial juncture for the country’s resource development. As noted by NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, Alweendo’s insights will play a vital role in guiding the discussions aimed at leveraging world-class discoveries for sustainable economic growth that benefits all Namibians.
Against a backdrop of a stable regulatory environment and competitive licensing terms, Namibia is emerging as a front-runner in global upstream investment, positioning itself as a noteworthy destination for energy investment on the world stage.
