TotalEnergies Spends US$141 Million on Namibian Suppliers, Expands Local Content Drive
TotalEnergies has spent more than US$141 million on locally sourced goods and services since 2022 as it intensifies efforts to increase Namibian participation in the country’s emerging oil and gas industry.
Speaking at an Upstream Oil and Gas Local Suppliers Workshop, TotalEnergies Lead for Contracts, Procurement, Engineering and Local Content, Veronica Mungonena, said the company’s local supplier network has expanded significantly over the past three years, growing from just eight direct suppliers to 62, with a strong emphasis on majority Namibian-owned businesses.
“To date, we have spent more than US$141 million on local goods and services, and approximately 10% of our total expenditure has been directed towards local suppliers. We are making a deliberate effort to ensure that Namibian businesses are part of this journey,” she said.
Mungonena said developing local suppliers remains a key pillar of TotalEnergies’ strategy in Namibia, with the company continuing to create opportunities for local businesses to participate across its value chain.
However, she stressed that gaining access to opportunities in the oil and gas sector requires suppliers to meet stringent international standards.
According to Mungonena, companies must demonstrate compliance with health, safety, environmental and regulatory requirements, while also proving their technical capabilities and operational readiness, particularly for offshore activities where industry standards are exceptionally high.
She encouraged local businesses to focus on building expertise in clearly defined areas rather than attempting to offer a wide range of services without the necessary capacity and experience.
“Companies should concentrate on developing strong capabilities within specific sectors. Specialisation will improve competitiveness and increase the likelihood of securing opportunities within the industry,” she said.
Mungonena added that TotalEnergies continues to engage extensively with the local business community through supplier workshops, industry conferences and targeted outreach programmes designed to improve supplier readiness.
“So far, we have engaged with various business communities, participated in industry conferences and hosted multiple supplier workshops. Additional targeted sessions are planned, including engagements focused on waste management and transportation,” she said.
As Namibia’s oil and gas industry moves closer to development and production, TotalEnergies said strengthening local supplier participation remains a priority, provided businesses can meet the standards required to operate in a highly regulated and technically demanding sector.
