More than 60 Namibians have secured employment and internship opportunities in the oil and gas industry through PETROFUND partnerships, as the Fund seeks to translate its N$160 million training investment into actual participation in the emerging sector.
The Petroleum Training and Education Fund (PETROFUND) has signed more than 10 strategic memoranda of understanding with international oil and gas operators and service companies, providing Namibians with access to employment, internships, on-the-job training and specialised skills development.
PETROFUND Chief Executive Officer Nillian Mulemi said the partnerships form part of efforts to ensure investment in training produces tangible employment and economic opportunities as Namibia moves from exploration towards potential development and production.
Her remarks were delivered on her behalf by PETROFUND Head of Communications and Stakeholder Relations Shoki Kandjimi at the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference on 19 August 2026.
TechnipFMC Namibia has employed 23 Namibians through the initiative and provided training opportunities in Ghana, Nigeria and France.
A further 13 Namibians are undertaking their second year of on-the-job training with SBM Offshore in India after completing their first year in Malaysia.
The placements form part of a broader N$160 million investment by PETROFUND in education and training for more than 500 Namibians through undergraduate, postgraduate, technical and vocational programmes.
More than 83 beneficiaries have specialised in petroleum and energy-related disciplines, including training in Indonesia, Angola, the United Kingdom, the United States, France and Canada.
Training programmes have included RAST and roughneck training, welding, fitting and turning, as well as specialised oil and gas programmes.
“The true measure of the impact of the oil and gas industry on Namibia’s economy will be accounted for through growth in jobs and living standards and the stimulation of local support services,” Mulemi said.
The employment outcomes come as Namibia faces increasing pressure to ensure that investment in petroleum skills development translates into actual positions for Namibians as offshore projects advance.
With the country preparing for a potential shift from exploration to development and production, demand for specialised technical skills is expected to increase.
PETROFUND’s partnerships are aimed at giving Namibians practical experience in established international petroleum operations while positioning them to take up roles in Namibia’s industry as opportunities emerge.
The challenge will increasingly be to convert the country’s growing pool of trained petroleum professionals into sustained local employment as offshore developments progress.
