E C O N O M Y A T L A R G E

Namibia Leads the Way!

AUTHOR: David Jarrett ManagingConsultant@RDJConsulting

The Namibian ambition espoused through its national policies such as Vision 2030, National Development Plan 5 (NDP5), and the Harambee

Prosperity Plan II for example, was clearly on display during the just-ended Africa Energy Indaba (AEI) 2023, which was held at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC) from 7-9 March 2023

Namibia did not disappoint and had a pavilion that was well placed so that it provided direct interaction and interviews with all the sectors of the energy industry. This allowed investors and developers to have direct access to first-hand information and for Namibian individuals and entities to create new and potential partnerships The Namibia Investment Promotions and Development Board (NIPDB) brought Namibia to Cape Town for the world to see and interact with.The recent third oil find, added to the excitement and buzz around Namibia at the event.

Further enhancement was gained through the high-level representation panel that informed the audiences through direct and indirect interactions The main speaking panel was moderated by the NIPDB’s Executive Director: Investments and New Ventures, Mr. François van Schalkwyk with speakers from the Ministry of Mines and Energy (Mr. Carlo McLeod, Deputy Director: Compliance, Regulations and Economics), the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia (Mr Benedict Libanda, CEO), the Electricity Control Board (Mr Pinehas Mutota, Acting CEO), NAMCOR (Mr Frans Kalenga, Senior Manager: Sustainable Energies), NamPower (Ms Kandali Iiyambo, Executive: Modified Single Buyer) and Rand Merchant

The attendees were introduced to a conversation that covered Namibia’s ambitions and progress in the areas of Green Hydrogen, Its oil explorations, value additions through the use of world-class renewable energy resources based in part on solar and wind, as well as how intentions around Carbon Markets. Highlights surrounded how all these can be brought to bear to make Namibia an energy producer and exporter, stemming its current position as a major energy importer of 100% fossil fuels and up to 70% of its electricity needs

To provide a “rounded offering” to the Indaba, the NIPDB also spoke to investors about its Desert Visa programme. It is also relevant here to indicate that the NIPDB is in the process of crafting a concept for a Namibian RBI framework called the Desert Visa Programme, which covers various categories of investment, and proposes certain conditions for each category Amongst the various categories conceptualized under this framework, is one onRBIthroughrealestateinvestments

The NIPDB is currently working closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) to ensure that all aspects and potential gaps in the programme are well considered, and that the criteria for the approvals for real estate developments qualifying for RBI are well set out before submitting the same to Cabinet for approval. RDJ Publishing will update you as furtherinformationbecomesavailable.

As always, the conversation continues and we can be reachedat briefing@rdjpublishing.africa