InFocus Namibia - May 2026

InFocus NAMIBIA MAY, 2026

AN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY OVERVIEW

CRUDE DECISION The slippery slope

ISSN 2026-9080

CONTENTS From The Editor

04

Solar Energy Production

17

Quick Facts

05

Energy

18

Key Dates

07

Namibian Dam Levels Update

22

Lead Story

08

Tenders

26

Fuel Prices

14

Press Releases

27

OIl & Gas

15

Contributing Authors

39

Cover image: ChatGPT Editor: David Jarrett Deputy Editor: Nicole Felix Contributors: Silpa Kanghono, Lahja Amaambo, Chilombo Olga Priscila, Renee Jarrett, Grace Kangotue Chief Designer: Nicole Felix RDJ Publishing (Pty) Ltd is the publishing home of the InFocus Namibia, written and authored through the collaboration with RDJ Consulting Services CC (www.rdjconsulting.co.za).

This report is a FREE Publication. The content is collected from publicly available information, and so its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

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13

RDJ Consulting Services CC is an advisory consultancy to the Energy, Water and Transport Sectors with a focus on sustainable operations and renewable energy.

16 PO Box 23738 Windhoek, NAMIBIA Telephone +264 81 750 3010

27

Email info@rdjpublishing.africa WEBSITE www.rdjpublishing.africa

From The Editor Two Paths, One Future: The Slippery Slope?

Dear Reader, Welcome to another edition of InFocus Namibia, proudly researched and produced in Namibia.

Namibia stands at a pivotal moment in its energy transition journey, increasingly positioned at the intersection of large-scale offshore oil potential and an ambitious push toward green industrialisation. These two trajectories are often framed as opposing forces, yet in reality, they are unfolding in parallel. With each carrying profound implications on Namibia’s economic growth, energy security, and long-term sustainability.

The offshore Orange Basin has rapidly emerged as one of the world’s most closely watched exploration frontiers. Major international operators, such as such TotalEnergies and Shell, have reported significant light oil discoveries in deepwater wells such as Venus, Graff, and Jonker. These findings, made since 2022, have positioned Namibia as a serious new entrant in global offshore hydrocarbons, with early estimates suggesting billions of barrels of recoverable resources. While still in appraisal phases, the basin’s high success rate has already reshaped investor sentiment and accelerated regional exploration momentum.

Concurrently, Namibia is also looking at redefining its industrial future through green industrialisation. In this vein, the country established a new body, the Green Industries Council, which will replace the former Green Hydrogen Council. Mandated by Cabinet and chaired under the coordination of the National Planning Commission, the council represents a strategic shift from project-based green initiatives toward a structured national framework for green industrialisation. Its focus spans renewable energy, green manufacturing, and circular economy systems, aiming to align investment, policy, and skills development in a more coordinated way. This change signals a deliberate move to position Namibia as a regional leader in sustainable industrial growth.

Yet beneath these parallel ambitions lies a critical structural challenge: employment transformation. Increasing automation and digitalisation in oil exploration are reducing demand for traditional entry-level rig workers, reshaping the labour profile of the petroleum sector. In response, the National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy, championed by Her. Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah targets over 22,000 domestic jobs by 2030. However, achieving this outcome will require a shift toward high-skilled, technology-driven roles, including remote operations, data analytics, and AI-enabled monitoring systems. The International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) analysis cautioned that fossil fuel development may not deliver the broad-based employment benefits long assumed by many researchers. Citing that renewable energy systems tend to generate significantly more jobs per dollar invested, often two to three times more than fossil fuels.

Another challenge for Namibia is the continued dependence on exported refined fuels.

Despite all government efforts to ensure fuel affordability, Namibia’s structural dependence on imported refined fuel continues to expose the country to external shocks. As a price taker in global markets, domestic fuel prices remain highly sensitive to external shocks, including geopolitical instability, currency fluctuations, and supply chain disruptions. These factors result in a direct transmission of global volatility into household budgets and transport costs, with ripple effects across logistics, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors.

For ordinary Namibian commuters, the rising fuel costs translate into higher taxi and bus fares, while also eroding disposable income and access to opportunity, particularly for young people navigating early career pathways. Government interventions such as the National Energy Fund and temporary fuel levy reductions continue to provide short-term relief, but the underlying exposure remains unchanged.

Ultimately, Namibia’s challenge is not choosing between oil and green industry but managing both with strategic clarity. One pathway, the oil and gas industry, offers immediate fiscal potential, while the other, green industries, provides long-term structural resilience. The task ahead is to ensure they do not compete destructively but instead contribute carefully and deliberately to a more diversified and inclusive economic future. As you continue to turn the pages of this May 2026 edition and engage with its content, we invite you to reflect on the potential afforded by the oil and gas industry and green industrialisation as a collective.

As always, the conversation continues at infocus@rdjpublishing.africa.

Yours, editor@rdjpublishing.africa

(David A. Jarrett) Editor in Chief

(Nicole Felix) Editor

NOTE 1: We welcome letters and articles from readers globally and require that you provide your full details such as name, current address and contact phone/WhatsApp number as well as email. We however reserve the right to amend, modify or reject submissions. You may also request that your details be withheld from publication.

NOTE 2: InFocus Namibia is published monthly and is FREE to Readers. The magazine is paid for by advertising and the research support from RDJ Consulting Services CC, Windhoek, Namibia.

Quick Facts

N A M I B I A POPULATION

(2023 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS)

3,022,401 Male Population

POPULATION SIZE

1,474,224

N$269.8 billion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at market prices (2025)

GINI COEFFICIENT (2024)

LITERACY RATE (15+ YEARS) (2023 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS)

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (2023 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS)

1,548,177

0.56

87%

36.9%

Female Population

6.50 REPO RATE (Apr 2026)

3.10

10.00

INFLATION (CPI) (Apr 2026)

PRIME LENDING RATE (Apr 2026)

670 MW MAXIMUM DEMAND (2025)

4,375 GWh TOTAL ELECTRICITY UNITS SOLD (2025) Local Electricity Supply (2025)

52%

Imported Electricity (2025)

48% SOURCE: RDJ CONSULTING SERVICES CC

OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY MILESTONES AND TARGETS

2022 A total of 28 offshore oil and gas exploration wells and 15 appraisal wells had been drilled, alongside 10 exploratory wells onshore. Namibia boasts an estimated 11 billion barrels of oil and approximately 2.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, making Namibia a key emerging player in the global energy sector.

2024

Industry Target (2030)

Gas production rate (mmscf/d): 130

Oil Production rate (mmboe): 150

Industry Target (2030)

Industry Target (2030)

Number of jobs created: 22 800

First oil discoveries in the Orange Basin.

Several international oil and gas companies, in partnership with each other and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia Ltd (NAMCOR), have actively been involved in exploration efforts.

Percentage of local content and carried participation in oil and gas: 15

Industry Target (2030)

Source: NAMIBIAʼS SIXTH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (NDP6) https://www.npc.gov.na/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/NDP6-Policy-Document_compressed.pdf

Key Dates SOURCE: RDJ CONSULTING SERVICES CC

REPO RATE

6.50

Repo Rate (29 April 2026)

Monetary Policy Announcement Dates

Repo Rate 2025 6.75%

7

6.75%

6.50%

6.50%

6.50%

6.50%

6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Jun 2025

Aug 2025

Oct 2025

Dec 2025

Feb 2026

17

JUNE 2026

12

AUGUST 2026

21

OCTOBER 2026

02

DECEMBER 2026

Apr 2026

INFLATION RATE

3.10

Inflation (CPI) (April 2026) Monthly Inflation Rate 4

3.50%

3.70%

3.50%

3.50%

3.60%

3.20%

3

3.40% 3.20%

3.10%

2.90% 2.40% 2.10%

2

1

0

May 2025 Jun 2025 Jul 2025 Aug 2025 Sep 2025 Oct 2025 Nov 2025 Dec 2025 Jan 2026 Feb 2026 Mar 2026 Apr 2026

InFocus NAMIBIA AN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY OVERVIEW

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Lead Story Crude Decision: The Slippery Slope AUTHOR: David Jarrett and Team Editor @ RDJ Publishing and RDJ Group Chief Executive Officer

Courtesy: Canva

N

amibia stands at the ultimate economic crossroads.

Across the global energy sector, the nation is being heralded as a dual-front pioneer. In the deep

waters of the Orange Basin, multi-billion-barrel discoveries

by Shell, TotalEnergies, and Galp Energia promise to transform the country into a major oil exporter. On land, massive solar arrays and wind turbines carving through the coastal landscape layout the foundation for a world-class green hydrogen economy. It is an enviable position, yet it presents a profound structural paradox.

The nation must rapidly decide how to balance its immediate fossil-fuel windfall against its long-term commitment to sustainability and all this while grappling with an invisible technological revolution that threatens its most critical domestic priority: job creation.

The text boldly emblazoned across this month’s cover states the stakes plainly: “Crude Decision: The Slippery Slope.” This slippery slope in question is no longer just about the environmental risk of fossil fuels or the volatility of global commodity markets. Instead, it is the risk of falling into a "jobless boom."

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As Namibia transitions from exploration to development, international oil majors are arriving with highly automated, autonomous operational architectures refined in deepwater basins like that of Guyana. Powered by machine learning algorithms, modern drillships utilize autonomous geosteering, predictive maintenance internet of things (IoT) systems, and robotic pipe-handling systems. This advanced infrastructure eliminates the need for the traditional, entrylevel blue-collar rig workers who once formed the backbone of local economic inclusion.

Can Namibia tax automated offshore crude wealth to directly fund its green industrial future?

This technological paradigm shift lands directly in the path of the state’s newly considered National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy. Championed by Her Excellency, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the national framework targets the creation of over 22,000 domestic jobs by 2030, demanding that Namibia’s offshore wealth translate into tangible benefits for its citizens. But

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Courtesy: RDJ Consulting Services, AI Enhanced

Courtesy: Pexels

when an AI-driven drillship requires only a fraction of the physical crew used a decade ago, counting physical bodies on an offshore vessel becomes an obsolete metric for corporate compliance. If operators simply force low-tech headcount onto automated vessels, they compromise operational safety; if they fail to hire locally, they face intense regulatory friction from state entities.

To avoid a prolonged economic stalemate, Namibia must urgently redefine what "local content" actually means. The focus must aggressively shift from outdated rig-floor jobs to capturing the high-skill, future-proof onshore roles that drive digital operations. Because AI-driven platforms rely on continuous data streaming, they are increasingly managed via land-based remote operations centers.

By demanding that international operators establish these digital control hubs locally such as in Windhoek or Walvis Bay, Namibia can transition its workforce into specialized roles: Predictive Maintenance Engineers analyzing real-time rig telemetry.

Mechatronics Technicians programming automated fluid and hardware systems.

Cybersecurity Specialists protecting interconnected offshore assets from digital disruption.

Financing this aggressive technological leap requires a bold reallocation of resources. The state must leverage its current infrastructure, utilizing the 1% Vocational Training Levy collected by the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) to rapidly overhaul data science and robotics curricula at University of Namibia (UNAM) and Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST). Simultaneously, future royalties flowing into the Welwitschia Sovereign Wealth Fund must be treated as catalytic capital for building the physical digital infrastructure and simulation labs required to anchor remote energy operations on Namibian soil.

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The green horizon pictured on our cover, where wind, solar, and industrial processing coexist is entirely achievable.

However, ensuring that Namibians are active participants in this future, rather than mere spectators, requires capturing the technological high ground today. If the nation can successfully tax the automated efficiency of its offshore crude to bankroll the digital upskilling of its people, it will not just survive the slippery slope of the AI revolution, it will power a clean, sustainable, and fully employed domestic economy for generations to come.

Readings: Bannerman Energy Ltd, 2024. Etango Uranium Project. Available at: bannermanenergy.com [Accessed 12 May 2026].

New Era Live, 2024. Govt prioritises inclusive growth, jobs. Available at: neweralive.na [Accessed 12 May 2026].

Osino Resources Corp., 2024. Twin Hills Gold Project. Available at: osinoresources.com [Accessed 12 May 2026].

Office of the President of the Republic of Namibia, 2025. Statement by Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, on the Economic Recovery and Employment Framework. Windhoek: Directorate of Presidential Communications.

Available at: op.gov.na [Accessed 12 May 2026].

Republic of Namibia National Planning Commission, 2025. The Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) 2025/26 - 2029/30. Windhoek: National Planning Commission.

Social Security Commission of Namibia, 2025. Annual Registration and Workforce Statistics Update. Windhoek: Social Security Commission.

Disclaimer: The RDJ Group of Companies (RDJ Consulting Services CC and RDJ Publishing Pty. Ltd) provides this piece as a public service as “Thought Leadership”. Readers are therefore STRONGLY advised to do their own research before pursuing any legal or commercial action related to this or any matter related to things discussed in this article and this Magazine as a whole.

Please note that in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), it has been used to enhance and reinforce this article.

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Oil Never Delivered Development for Africa.

Only Renewables Can, Report Says contributed by:

Courtesy: Canva

A new report says oil and gas production has failed to deliver broad economic development across African producer countries, with benefits concentrated among elites and multinational firms The study found hydrocarbon industries create few jobs, weaken sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, and leave economies vulnerable to corruption, debt and oil price shocks The report argues Africa risks stranded fossil fuel assets as the world shifts to renewables, and says clean energy could create millions of jobs across the continent by 2030

A

cross Africa, more than anywhere else, oil and gas production has fallen far short of its promise as an engine of economic development. A report published Friday, May 8, by NGO Oil Change International and think tank Power Shift Africa argues that the industry was never designed to build resilient local economies, but rather to serve export markets and maximize returns for multinational corporations.

Titled Pipe Dreams: How Oil and Gas Fail to Deliver Economic Development in Africa, the report examines the experiences of 13 African oil and gas producers, including Nigeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Libya, drawing on peerreviewed publications, official data and independent research.

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Across all 13 countries, decades of hydrocarbon extraction have neither reduced poverty nor meaningfully stimulated economic growth. Instead, the report finds, the benefits have accrued largely to a small elite, deepening the vulnerability of the majority, entrenching inequality and perpetuating dependence.

African oil and gas producers are also not immune to energy crises or price volatility. These countries export crude oil while importing more expensive refined products such as diesel and gasoline. Hundreds of millions of people across the continent — including in resource-rich nations like Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Mozambique — still lack access to electricity or clean cooking solutions.

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The economics of oil and gas are structured to concentrate and export wealth while shifting costs onto governments and local communities. In major producers such as Nigeria and Angola, roughly 40 percent of the population continues to live in extreme poverty — on less than three dollars a day — despite decades of oil extraction. According to the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), most African oilexporting countries have recorded lower economic growth and higher inflation than their less resource-dependent peers in recent years.

This failure stems from an extractive model dominated by multinational oil companies, which often capture a disproportionate share of revenues through lopsided contractual terms or complex accounting arrangements.

Under the Coral South project in Mozambique, which began producing gas in 2023, the government will not receive significant revenues until the mid-to-late 2030s, as contract clauses allocate the bulk of early earnings to foreign companies.

An Industry That Drags Down Other Sectors The oil and gas sector also operates largely in isolation from the broader economy. Services and equipment are typically imported, while products and profits are exported. The industry generates remarkably few jobs, even when hydrocarbons account for a substantial share of GDP. The oil sector employs just 0.01 percent of the workforce in Nigeria, 0.3 percent in Angola and 0.1 percent in the Republic of Congo. This enclave effect is especially pronounced with floating offshore installations, which companies can tow into position and load onto tankers with minimal integration into local economic life.

Rather than supporting other sectors, hydrocarbon extraction often undermines them. At the local level, toxic spills and the destruction of arable land devastate agriculture and fishing. At the national level, oil and gas revenues drive up exchange rates, eroding the competitiveness of other export industries, particularly manufacturing and agricultural products.

This dynamic is a textbook illustration of the “Dutch disease” and the so-called “resource curse,” a concept popularized in the 1990s by British economist Richard Auty.

His thesis holds that economies heavily reliant on commodity exports tend to grow more slowly and are more prone to corruption, widespread poverty, weak institutions, environmental degradation and internal conflict. In Nigeria’s Niger Delta, persistent oil spills have devastated farmland and severely depleted fish stocks, while gas flaring has degraded soil quality and permanently undermined fertility. The result has been a poverty spiral, as the primary sources of livelihood have been destroyed.

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Weakened Economies and a Growing Debt Burden The report also highlights how the highly lucrative, extractive and elite-driven nature of the oil and gas industry makes it especially vulnerable to corruption. Nearly every African oil-producing country has been implicated in scandals involving hydrocarbon revenues. In one particularly striking case, senior executives at French company Elf diverted approximately $350 million in company funds between 1989 and 1993. Beyond purchasing villas, jewelry and artworks for personal use, they paid bribes to political officials in Gabon, Angola, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo. In 2003, 37 senior Elf executives were convicted on various corruption-related charges.

Unexpected drops in global oil prices, meanwhile, trigger cycles of collapsing public services, unemployment and macroeconomic contraction in oil-dependent economies.

Paradoxically, oil and gas producers accumulate debt both during price crashes — when governments borrow to plug budget shortfalls — and during booms, when cheap financing encourages borrowing. When oil prices collapsed in 2014, the Angolan government was forced to slash its budget by 25 percent, leaving civil servants unpaid for months. The healthcare system simultaneously broke down, sparking outbreaks of malaria, yellow fever, dengue and chikungunya. Inflation surged to 30 percent, and external debt jumped from 36 to 115 percent of GDP. Finally, as the world accelerates its shift toward renewable energy, Africa risks being left with stranded assets — investments that lose value before generating meaningful returns. Emerging producers such as Uganda, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Côte d’Ivoire could find themselves in precisely that position, taking on rising debt if they invest heavily in new fossil fuel projects as global demand declines.

The report concludes that the promise of fossil fuels as a pathway to development has not been fulfilled — and will not be. It argues that only a just transition to renewable energy can broaden energy access, create jobs and support more resilient economies across the continent. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that renewables generate two to three times more jobs per dollar invested than fossil fuels, with around 14 million jobs potentially created across Africa by 2030. Those jobs, the agency says, would also be more geographically dispersed and more accessible to women and young people.

Walid Kéfi

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Fuel Price Increases Are About More Than Just Petrol AUTHOR: Hazlejana Hudlett Boois Digital Marketing Intern @RDJ Consulting

W

hen fuel prices increase, most people immediately think about paying more at the pump. But for many young people, especially interns, students, and job seekers, the impact goes far beyond that.

For someone trying to establish themselves professionally, transport is not just a convenience. It is access to opportunity.

Every extra dollar spent on fuel or transport can affect whether someone gets to work consistently, attends an interview, arrives on time, or even manages to eat lunch that day. These are realities many young professionals quietly navigate while still trying to build their careers.

Working within the energy and sustainability space has changed how I view fuel increases. Before this experience, they were simply headlines and monthly announcements.

Now, I see how deeply connected energy is to everyday life and economic opportunity.

Fuel prices influence transport costs, food prices, small business operations, and household budgets. But they also influence ambition. When transportation becomes more expensive, opportunities become harder to access,

especially for young people still finding their footing in the professional world.

Many interns travel long distances every day with little or no income because they understand the value of exposure and work experience. Rising fuel costs only add more pressure to an already difficult situation.

At the same time, these challenges highlight why conversations around sustainability and long term energy solutions are becoming increasingly important across Africa. As the continent continues to grow and develop, there is a greater need for innovative, affordable, and sustainable approaches to energy and transport.

Working in this sector has made me realize that energy is not just about infrastructure or economics. It is about people, mobility, opportunity, and quality of life.

Fuel increases may seem like temporary adjustments, but for many young professionals, their effects are felt every single day.

How do you think rising fuel prices are affecting young professionals and interns in today’s economy?

Courtesy: Getty Images

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Fuel Prices May 2026 Fuel Prices Update Petrol

N$ 23.48/ US$ 1.41

NAMIBIA

SOUTH AFRICA

ANGOLA

NIGERIA

BOTSWANA

ZAMBIA

Diesel

N$ 28.36/ US$ 1.71

per litre Petrol Unleaded 95

per litre Diesel 50ppm

R 26.20/ US$ 1.58

R 33.89/ US$ 2.04

per litre Petrol Unleaded 95

per litre Diesel 50ppm

Kz 300.00/ US$ 0.33

Kz 400.00/ US$ 0.44

per litre Petrol Unleaded 95

per litre Diesel 50ppm

₦ 1281.75/ US$ 0.93

₦ 1892.50/ US$ 1.38

per litre Petrol Unleaded 95

per litre Diesel 50ppm

P 20.52/

P 25.05/ US$ 1.84

US$ 1.51

per litre Petrol Unleaded 95

per litre Diesel 50ppm

ZK 27.15/ US$ 1.44

ZK 33.99/ US$ 1.81

per litre Petrol Unleaded 95

per litre Diesel 50ppm

The US$ equivalent refers to current exchange rates (19 May 2026) Information available at the time of publication. Reliance on this information is not advised.

Data Source: Namibia: www.mme.gov.na, Botswana: www.bera.co.bw, Zambia: www.erb.org.zm, Others: theglobaleconomy.com

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Oil & Gas The Tug of War: Global Turbulence Dictates AUTHOR: David Jarrett and Team Editor @ RDJ Publishing and RDJ Group Chief Executive Officer

Courtesy: RDJ Consulting Services, AI Enhanced

T

he Port of Walvis Bay at times reveals vessels that represent the lifeblood of the domestic economy.

However, the fuel pumped carries a price tag written

thousands of kilometres away, dictated by complex global forces. Recent adjustments by the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy (MIME) serve as a reminder: when global oil markets twitch, Namibia feels the shockwave.

The Invisible Hands of the Global Market To understand local fuel hikes, one must look at international waters. Global oil prices are driven primarily by a volatile mixture of supply-demand dynamics, shipping logistics, and geopolitical instability.

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Geopolitical conflict remains a dominant catalyst. Supply disruptions and critical shipping constraints, such as vessel diversion around key transit bottlenecks, instantly amplify the global cost of crude. Because Namibia is a price taker that imports 100 percent of its refined petroleum, local fuel stations are directly bound to international benchmarks (Namibia Fact Check, 2022). When international crude costs surge, the benchmark landing cost rises with them.

Further complicating matters are the hidden costs of shipping. Heightened transit risks push maritime insurance premiums and freight rates to multi-year highs.

International suppliers pass these expenses down as procurement premiums, which add a direct premium of N$0.50 to N$2.00 per litre onto Namibia's baseline fuel imports.

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Finally, the currency factor plays a decisive role. Oil is traded globally in US Dollars. When the Namibia Dollar (NAD) depreciates against the greenback, the real cost of importing each barrel spikes, even if global crude prices remain static.

absorbing a staggering N$1.3 billion shock in underrecoveries to cap the price increases (Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, 2024). Additionally, a temporary 50 percent reduction in state fuel levies remains in effect to help smooth the volatility.

The Shockwave Hits Namibian Soil

Navigating an Uncertain Horizon

The tangible impact of these global micro-shifts arrived directly at domestic fuel pumps when the MIME announced a steep upward pricing adjustment (Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, 2024). In Walvis Bay, petrol prices climbed to N$23.48 per litre. Meanwhile, commercial transport diesel jumped sharply, with Diesel 50ppm hitting N$28.26 per litre.

While Namibia’s long-term energy outlook is promising, with major offshore oil discoveries tracking toward a target production date of 2030, the immediate future requires careful strategy. Businesses must optimise logistics, streamline distribution routes, and invest in energy efficiency to survive current market tightness.

For the average consumer, this means an immediate squeeze on household budgets. Commuters face higher taxi and bus fares as transport operators pass on their overheads. Because Namibia distributes its goods across vast distances using road networks, rising diesel costs act as a hidden tax on everyday items. Grocery stores, retail outlets, and utility providers must pay more to stock shelves, directly feeding local inflationary pressures.

The Corporate Dilemma: Absorb or Pass On? For the business community, the energy crunch presents a difficult balancing act. Logistics firms, agricultural enterprises, and manufacturing companies are watching their profit margins erode. Industry inputs have grown unpredictable, and companies cannot easily forecast operational costs when fuel prices shift monthly.

Recent panic-buying episodes at regional service stations underscore growing anxieties, forcing the government to implement temporary regulatory restrictions on filling bulk fuel containers. To shield the public, the state mobilized massive fiscal support via the National Energy Fund (NEF),

For now, the Namibian consumer and local enterprises remain tethered to the shifting dynamics of global supply lines. Understanding that the problem originates in international shipping lanes and geopolitical theatres allows local operations to better prepare for an erratic economic landscape.

Readings: Namibia Fact Check, 2022. Explainer: What determines the fuel price in Namibia? Available at: namibiafactcheck.org.na [Accessed 12 May 2026].

Ministry of Mines and Energy, 2024. Fuel Price Media Release, March 2024. Windhoek: Ministry of Mines and Energy. Available at: mme.gov.na [Accessed 12 May 2026].

Disclaimer: The RDJ Group of Companies (RDJ Consulting Services CC and RDJ Publishing Pty. Ltd) provides this piece as a public service as “Thought Leadership”. Readers are therefore STRONGLY advised to do their own research before pursuing any legal or commercial action related to this or any matter related to things discussed in this article and this Magazine as a whole.

Please note that in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), it has been used to enhance and reinforce this article.

Old Walvis Bay Price (April)

New Walvis Bay Price (May)

Direct Net Increase

Petrol 95 Octane

N$22.08 / liter

N$23.48 / liter

+N$1.40

Diesel 50 ppm

N$23.63 / liter

N$28.26 / liter

+N$4.63

Diesel 10 ppm

N$23.73 / liter

N$28.36 / liter

+N$4.63

Fuel Grade

Courtesy: Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, 2026

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Solar Energy Production

Energy Nuclear Energy: Concrete Substructure Safety AUTHOR: David Jarrett and Team Editor @ RDJ Publishing and RDJ Group Chief Executive Officer

Courtesy: Pexels

W

hen considering the future of zero-emission baseload power, public interest typically gravitates toward the spectacular science of nuclear energy: splitting atoms, glowing reactor cores, and advanced fuel rods. Yet, the true unsung hero of nuclear safety is entirely static, silent, and monumental. It is the highly specialised concrete that forms the containment structures, shielding the environment from extreme pressure and radiation.

These structures are not built with standard sidewalk or commercial office cement. They are highly engineered fortresses designed to withstand unprecedented thermal stress, seismic activity, and overpressure protection. To ensure absolute structural integrity, the nuclear sector relies on a rigorous web of regulatory frameworks, including the American Concrete Institute (ACI) 349 series and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Section III Division 2 standards. These codes outline the minimum criteria for safety-related concrete structures supporting nuclear systems.

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The Geometry of Containment Nuclear containment structures are massive. A typical posttensioned concrete containment dome stands 125 to 260 feet tall with a diameter of 105 to 140 feet. Its walls are an imposing 2.5 to 4.5 feet thick.

Engineers typically select from three primary structural configurations depending on the reactor design: Conventional Reinforced Concrete: Utilizing heavyduty internal steel reinforcing bars.

Post-Tensioned Concrete: Compressed using highstrength steel tendons threaded through internal ducts.

Partially Post-Tensioned Structures: Hybrid designs optimized for localized stress.

These structures are further fortified with pressure-resisting shells, metallic inner liners, and specialized penetration liners to seal every pipe and cable entry point.

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Courtesy: RDJ Consulting Services, AI Enhanced

At the heart of this structural defence is the concrete mix design. Standard concrete cures through hydration, a chemical reaction that releases heat. In walls several feet thick, excessive heat buildup causes thermal cracking, which compromises safety.

To mitigate this, nuclear concrete utilises specific Portland cement types governed by ASTM C150 and ASTM C595 standards: Type II & Type IV Cements: Engineered for low heat of hydration, slowing down the curing temperature rise.

Type V & Blended Cements (Type IP): Formulated for high sulfate resistance to protect against aggressive groundwater and environmental chemicals.

The ingredients mixed into these cements must meet strict purity and physical profiles. Water must be free of impurities, with strict limits placed on chloride content.

Aggregates are divided into normal-weight and heavyweight variants (such as magnetite or barite) to enhance radiation shielding. Admixtures, including air-entraining, chemical, and mineral agents, are tested according to ASTM standards to guarantee chemical compatibility and longterm durability.

Combatting Internal Decay Nuclear concrete must endure for decades without internal degradation. Corrosion of internal steel reinforcement is a primary concern. The introduction of chloride ions can rapidly accelerate steel rust, causing the concrete to spall and crack from within.

To prevent this, the industry enforces strict structural safety thresholds: Prestressed Concrete: Maximum allowable chloride content is capped at 0.06 percent.

Reinforced Concrete: Maximum allowable chloride content is capped at 0.15 percent.

Engineers complement these limits by increasing the concrete cover (the thickness of the concrete layer protecting the steel), lowering the water-to-cement ratio to reduce permeability, and deploying high-performance cement grouts and epoxy grouts for base plates and structural repairs.

The margin for error in nuclear construction is zero. Every batch of aggregate, bag of cement, and truck of mixed concrete is traced from the production plant to the job site.

Materials are tagged, and their lot numbers, origin, and material certifications are logged.

Reference Laboratory (CCRL) or the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) for example.

These testing sites undergo strict audits every 24 months to verify equipment calibration and personnel qualifications.

Inspection personnel are certified across three distinct qualification tiers, ensuring that those verifying structural integrity possess documented training.

Ultimately, nuclear power relies on chemistry and physics to generate clean energy, but it relies on material science and strict engineering codes to keep that energy safely contained.

Readings: Books and Handbooks Kok, K.D. ed., 2009. Nuclear Engineering Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group.

Lamarsh, J.R. and Baratta, A.J., 2001. Introduction to Nuclear Engineering. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.

Todreas, N.E. and Kazimi, M.S., 2011. Nuclear Systems Volume I: Thermal Hydraulic Fundamentals. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press. [1, 2] Journal Articles and Papers Kim, J., Kim, S. and Lee, H., 2023. 'Seismic performance evaluation of reactor containment buildings'. Nuclear Engineering and Technology, 55(5), pp. 1700–1712.

Nakamura, T., Sato, D. and Yamada, K., 2026. 'Cross-section design of nuclear power plant buildings to manage seismic response floors'.

Nuclear Engineering and Design, 446, p. 14543. [1, 2]. Institutional Reports and Standards International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 2001. Risk management: A tool for improving nuclear power plant performance. IAEA-TECDOC1209. Vienna: IAEA. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), 2019. Design of the Reactor Containment and Associated Systems for Nuclear Power Plants. IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSG-53. Vienna: IAEA. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), 2011. AP1000 Design Control Document: Chapter 5 Containment Structure. Washington, D.C.: U.S. NRC. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), 2013. Tier 2 Chapter 03: Design of Structures, Systems, Components, and Equipment.

Washington, D.C.: U.S. NRC. [1, 2, 3, 4]. In-Text Citation Examples For structural specifications: The massive outer containment dome relies on post-tensioned prestressing tendons to handle internal pressures during an event (IAEA 2019).

For seismic design requirements: Concrete material behavior must be heavily reinforced at the base mat junction to withstand maximum potential ground acceleration (Kim et al. 2023). [1, 2]

Disclaimer: The RDJ Group of Companies (RDJ Consulting Services CC and RDJ Publishing Pty. Ltd) provides this piece as a public service as “Thought Leadership”. Readers are therefore STRONGLY advised to do their own research before pursuing any legal or commercial action related to this or any matter related to things discussed in this article and this Magazine as a whole.

Please note that in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), it has been used to enhance and reinforce this article.

Testing laboratories must be accredited by independent evaluation programs, such as the Cement and Concrete

20

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NAMIBIA DAM LEVELS UPDATE (May 2026) Dam's Full Capacity (in Mm3)

Present Volume May 2026 (in Mm3)

100

1000

80 800

600

400

40

200

20

H ar da p

N ec ka rt al

0

0 N Sw au te ak op po or t Vo n Ba O ch lu sh an dj O a m O ar m ur at u ak D o el ta D am O an ob D re O ih tji uk ve ro M O ai tji n ve ro Si lt Fr i O ed m en at au je nn e D am G or ea ng Ti ab ld a Vi ljo en Bo nd D el aa s n Vi ljo en

Water Volume (in Mm3)

60

Name of Reservoir Author’s analysis and representation of NamWater’s weekly dam bulletin - dated 18/05/2026

DEFICIT 18.6%

CAPACITY

1556.71 Mm3

AVAILABILITY 81.4%

According to records by NamWater’s weekly Dam Bulletins, Namibia has a total Reservoir capacity of 1556.71 million cubic meters (Mm3), whose present volumes stand at 1267.35 Mm3 (or 81.4%). This means that the country’s water deficit is currently 289.36 Mm3 (or 18.6 %).

82.6% Present % of Full Capacity 20 April 2026

81.4% Present % of Full Capacity 18 May 2026

SOURCE: RDJ CONSULTING SERVICES CC

'Building Human Capital When It Matters: Homes, Neighborhoods, and Workplaces,' AUTHOR: David Jarrett and Team Editor @ RDJ Publishing and RDJ Group Chief Executive Officer

Courtesy: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/3c882ce6-2667-4c5c-9909-4da3f6ef27de/content

O

ver the past fifteen years, many countries have seen stagnation or even decline in their human capital accumulation. Despite its fundamental

importance to economic growth and poverty reduction, outcomes related to health, learning, and workforce skills have not kept pace, particularly in two-thirds of low- and middle-income nations. For example, average adult height, a marker of population health, has declined in several SubSaharan African countries, and student learning outcomes have either stagnated or worsened across many regions.

A child’s home environment is pivotal for lifelong human capital development. Early experiences, including nutrition, care, stimulation, and safety, profoundly influence skill 24

acquisition and future achievements. Research shows that children whose mothers have more education tend to perform better in vocabulary and mathematics; these gaps appear before age five and persist into adolescence. Policies that increase family resources, such as cash transfers or job programs, and those that encourage nurturing care, like parenting programs, have been shown to improve educational attainment, health, and future earnings.

Neighborhoods also play a significant role in shaping human capital outcomes. The quality of local schools, health services, infrastructure, safety, and prevailing social norms can dramatically affect individual opportunities. In Brazil,

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InFocus NAMIBIA AN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY OVERVIEW

for instance, children from low-income families who grow up in high-income neighbourhoods earn twice as much as those raised in low-income areas. Addressing these disparities requires coordinated policy action across sectors, such as education, health, infrastructure, and security, to overcome neighbourhood-level barriers.

Workplaces are equally critical for ongoing human capital development. Approximately half of all human capital is accumulated at work. However, in low- and middle-income countries, 70 percent of workers are employed in jobs, such as small-scale agriculture, microfirms, or low-quality selfemployment that offer limited learning opportunities.

Effective policies should encourage employer-provided training, apprenticeships, and support for firm growth, thereby creating more high human capital jobs. For example, on-the-job soft skills training in India boosted garment worker productivity by over 13 percent.

Ultimately, building human capital requires a settingsbased, integrated policy approach. Human capital is not developed solely through sectoral interventions like schools or clinics, nor at isolated life stages; it is shaped daily in homes, neighbourhoods, and workplaces. Constraints in one setting can undermine investments made in another. The report recommends integrated, people-centred strategies and a robust data agenda to track progress across these environments. Collaboration between public and private sectors, as well as across government departments, is essential for success.

These points collectively emphasize that accelerating human capital development requires a holistic, settingsbased approach that addresses the interconnected roles of homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces, supported by coordinated policy and robust data tracking.

Readings: Holla, Alaka, Norbert Schady, and Joana Silva, eds. 2026. Building Human Capital Where It Matters: Homes, Neighborhoods, and Workplaces. World Bank.doi: 10.1596/978-1-4648-2277-3. License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO This book, along with any associated content or subsequent updates, can be accessed at https://hdl.handle.net/10986/44282

Disclaimer: The RDJ Group of Companies (RDJ Consulting Services CC and RDJ Publishing Pty. Ltd) provides this piece as a public service as “Thought Leadership”. Readers are therefore STRONGLY advised to do their own research before pursuing any legal or commercial action related to this or any matter related to things discussed in this article and this Magazine as a whole.

This article is a book summary. Please note that in the age of artificial intelligence (AI), it has been used to enhance and reinforce this article.

Courtesy: Getty Images Signature

InFocus NAMIBIA AN ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY OVERVIEW

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25

Tenders

DEVELOPMENT BANK OF NAMIBIA Description: Procurement of Travel Management Services for the period of 36 months (needs-based) Bid Closing Date: 09 June 2026 at 10:00 AM https://www.dbn.com.na/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Bid-Advert-Travel-Management-Services.pdf Description: Expression of Interest (EOI): Call for Climate-Resilient & Low-Carbon Projects for Climate Finance Consideration Bid Closing Date: 30 July 2026 https://www.dbn.com.na/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Expression-Of-Interest_DBN-Climate-Finance-FacilityPipeline.pdf MEAT CORPORATION OF NAMIBIA Description: Provision of Transportation for Various Meatco Products.

Bid Closing Date: 10 June 2026 at 11h00 https://www.meatco.com.na/index/bid/106 NAMPORT Description: Supply & Delivery of an Articulated Manlift for The Port of Walvis Bay. Bid Closing Date: 12 June 2026 at 12h00 Reference: https://www.namport.com.na/procurement/884/ NAMPOWER Description: Manufacture and Delivery of Optical Fibre Ground Wire (OPGW) Bid Closing Date: 26 June 2026 at 10h00 https://www.nampower.com.na/procurement/bids/registration?BidsPageIndex=1&Category=3&Id=292467

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Press Releases

CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

NICOLE FELIX CHIEF DESIGNER (LAYOUT AND DESIGN) @RDJ PUBLISHING

DAVID JARRETT EDITOR IN CHIEF AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER @RDJ GROUP

SILPA KANGHONO COORDINATOR: DIGITAL MARKETING AND EVENTS @RDJ PUBLISHING

LAHJA AMAAMBO CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR @RDJ GROUP

PUBLISHED BY:

GRACE KANGOTUE CHIEF RESEARCHER/ECONOMIST EDITOR @ RDJ CONSULTING

CHILOMBO OLGA PRISCILA CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR @RDJ GROUP

RESEARCH BY:

RENEE JARRETT EXECUTIVE - ADMINISTRATION @RDJ GROUP

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ISSN 2026-9080

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