PETROFUND Commits N$115 Million to Train Namibians for Careers in Upstream Oil and Gas Sector
The Petroleum Training and Education Fund (PETROFUND) has invested more than N$115 million to develop skilled Namibian professionals for the country’s growing upstream oil and gas industry.
Speaking at the 2nd Youth in Oil and Gas Summit, PETROFUND Chief Executive Officer Nillian Mulemi highlighted the impact of the fund’s flagship scholarship programme, which has already benefited 438 Namibians.
The scholarship covers a wide range of qualifications—undergraduate, postgraduate, technical, and vocational training—in key disciplines including petroleum engineering, geosciences, subsea engineering, oil and gas law, taxation, environmental management, and cybersecurity.
“To date, PETROFUND has invested over N$115 million to support 438 Namibians through our flagship PETROFUND Namibia scholarship programme,” said Mulemi.
In 2025, the fund plans to sponsor more than 90 additional students in specialized fields such as Deck Cadet training, Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) piloting in Malaysia, and various engineering and commercial disciplines.
PETROFUND is also intensifying its on-the-job training initiatives in alignment with the National Upstream Local Content Policy.
Over 82 young professionals have already been placed with industry leaders such as TechnipFMC, Halliburton, SBM, Shell, TotalEnergies, and Recon Namibia, through partnerships with key service providers and operators. To date, 10 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed to formalize and accelerate these efforts.
“Namibia already possesses many of the foundational skills required for on-the-job training, including geology, engineering, logistics, finance, law, hospitality, and environmental management,” Mulemi added.
As part of its broader strategy, PETROFUND is developing a national Oil and Gas CV Repository, set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2025.
In the interim, summit participants holding at least a TVET Level 3 qualification or an undergraduate degree were encouraged to submit their CVs for early inclusion.
Applications for the 2025 PETROFUND scholarship programme will open on 4 August and close on 10 October 2025.
The fund complements existing government support by covering additional educational costs and offering full funding for both local and international studies.
“At the postgraduate level, we will fund students pursuing disciplines across the full upstream value chain—from exploration and appraisal to field development, production, and decommissioning,” Mulemi said.
