Nokubiko Investment is targeting the first quarter of 2027 to open the redeveloped Kapps a Kubata Loft Hotel in Lüderitz as the company steps up engagements with government ahead of the launch.
The Namibian-registered real estate and hospitality investor is redeveloping the former Kapps Hotel, which was built in 1907 and is regarded as Lüderitz’s oldest hotel.
The revamped property will have 33 rooms, conference and office facilities, with interiors commissioned from Namibian artists. Its reopening in 2027 will coincide with 120 years since the original hotel opened.
Nokubiko said it has held meetings with Environment, Tourism and Forestry Minister Indileni Daniel and //Kharas Governor Dawid Gertze, with further engagements planned with the ministries responsible for industrialisation, mines and energy, finance, international relations and trade, as well as the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President.
Daniel said the investment would contribute to Namibia’s tourism offering while preserving the heritage of the property.
“This is a truly welcome investment. It responds directly to our tourism master plan by strengthening Namibia’s luxury offering, preserving heritage, and expanding conference capacity in a region that urgently needs it,” she said.
The redevelopment retains the protected building’s historic façade, front wall, main archways, cone and original name, while two new executive levels have been added above the existing structure.
Nokubiko said the project is aimed at positioning Lüderitz to capture increased demand from business travellers, tourists and diplomatic visitors, while generating employment and procurement opportunities for local businesses.
The investment comes as Lüderitz attracts increased economic activity linked to oil and gas exploration, logistics, tourism and other emerging industries.
Investor Jorge de Morais said Namibia’s emerging oil and gas industry initially attracted the shareholders to the country, but the investment decision was also influenced by opportunities in tourism and the country’s financial sector.
“We first came to Namibia because of the growing global attention on its oil exploration. When we looked more closely, we realised there was significant room accompanied by real opportunity to grow,” he said.
De Morais said the company plans to use local businesses and workers in its operations as part of efforts to increase domestic economic participation.
“We want this project to be part of the community. Wherever we invest, we build with local people, local companies, and local knowledge, because that is how you create real in-country value,” he said.
The hotel also plans to establish off-taker agreements with farmers in southern Namibia to supply produce to the property.
“We are establishing off-taker agreements with farmers in the south to ensure farm-to-fork quality produce. This supports the farming community, empowers young people, and aligns with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s focus on agriculture and youth employment under the Eighth Administration,” De Morais said.
Nokubiko currently owns five income-producing investment properties in Windhoek, in addition to the Lüderitz hotel development.
Its shareholders are also behind KAESO Energy Services, a separate oilfield services and industrial solutions company that has operated in Namibia since 2021.
KAESO operates an approximately 35,000-square-metre integrated oil and gas base in Lüderitz and a second base in Walvis Bay, and holds 30,000 square metres of industrial land in Okahandja for fabrication, assembly and inland logistics.
The company provides services spanning industrial and energy assets, drilling and subsurface operations, modular systems, procurement, digital services and project advisory.
KAESO said its clients include TotalEnergies, Galp, Rhino Resources and SLB, while its Namibian operations manage more than 750 cargo-carrying units.
The company is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. It also operates in Angola and plans to enter Mozambique before the end of 2026.
