South African companies assess opportunities in Namibian oil and gas sector

SAOGA hosts trade mission to Namibia

SOUTH AFRICA: More than 20 South African companies joined the South African Oil and Gas Alliance’s (SAOGA) outward trade mission to Namibia last month to assess potential opportunities in their neighbour’s burgeoning offshore oil and gas sector.

Noting the varied scope to participate in the sector, Adrian Strydom, CEO of SAOGA commented that local companies can access opportunities across the value chain of products and services. “We see South African companies collaborating with or establishing joint ventures with Namibian companies in the future,” he said on their return.

Alain Kerr, Business Development and Marketing Manager for SAOGA, highlighted that B2B matchmaking sessions and presentations given by some of the participating companies during the excursion will serve to assist in developing these opportunities to collaborate.

“Both South African and Namibian stakeholders have an appetite for doing business together,” he said.

Participants visited the Port of Walvis Bay to view oil and gas infrastructure in the port including the Fuel Export Terminal and the NAMCOR National Oil Storage Facility, tank farm and jetty.

They were also provided with an overview of NAMCOR’s role in facilitating investment and the development of oil and gas projects in Namibia.

Namibian representation from a number of government departments and ministries highlighted the local content requirements for establishing a presence in the country. The Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board also highlighted several investment opportunities as well as how to take advantages of investment incentives in Namibia.