Angola reiterated its commitment to aiding Namibia in the advancement of its oil and gas sector during the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) held in Windhoek.
Osvaldo Inácio, Executive Director of Angola’s national oil company Sonangol and Chairman of Sonangol Integrated Logistics Group (SONILS), emphasized the potential for collaboration between the two countries in bolstering Namibia’s oil and gas industry.
Inácio underscored opportunities for cooperation in logistics and skills development, leveraging Angola’s extensive experience in the oil and gas value chain.
With Angola being one of Africa’s largest oil producers, generating approximately 1.1 million barrels per day and exporting LNG globally, Inácio highlighted the wealth of experience Angola has accumulated over its 60-year history in the oil and gas sector.
He emphasized that Namibia can benefit from Angola’s successes and learn from its mistakes to nurture its own industry.
Inácio noted Sonangol’s pivotal role in the development of Angola’s oil and gas sector, particularly in infrastructure and training initiatives aimed at building a skilled workforce.
He stressed the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing between the two nations to propel Namibia’s industry forward.
As Namibia prepares to commence production from its inaugural Orange Basin oil projects in 2030, Inácio emphasized the significance of establishing robust infrastructure while maintaining momentum. He highlighted the need for collaborative efforts to ensure Namibia’s industry growth.
In terms of logistics support, SONILS, under Inácio’s leadership, operates a state-of-the-art onshore supply base in Angola catering to the oil and gas sector’s specialized needs.
Inácio expressed SONILS’ readiness to extend logistical assistance to Namibia, citing the success of their logistics hub in Angola as a model for potential collaboration.
In line with this commitment, a tripartite agreement has been inked between Sonangol, Namibia’s NOC NAMCOR, and the Namibian Ports Authority for the establishment of a logistics base in Namibia.
This strategic initiative aims to bolster support for upcoming oil and gas operations in Namibia, marking a significant step in the strengthening of bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
