Maria David
A TOTAL of 432 Namibians have been trained in various degree programs as part of an ongoing effort to build the local workforce since the establishment of the Petroleum Training and Education Fund (PETROFUND).
PETROFUND spokesperson Shoki Kandjimi said of these, 70 individuals have earned accredited master’s specialisations in oil and gas, with 77% being female and 23% male.
He indicated that these graduates are now employed across various fields within the industry.
“An additional 93 students are slated to join the 2025 Scholarship Programme,” he said.
He added that this initiative is backed by a substantial financial commitment, with N$136,312,208 allocated for training and development.
Kandjimi said that strategic government subsidies have also provided oil and gas training for 46 individuals.
Furthermore, he said international companies have contributed 94 internships and on-the-job training opportunities.
“The high level of interest from these companies is evident, with ten Capacity Building Memoranda of Understanding signed with over ten oil and gas service companies, signalling a strong collaborative spirit,” he added.
He explained that Namibia’s oil and gas industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by major offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin and continuous technological advancements in exploration.
Kandjimi said this evolving landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for young professionals, shifting the focus to a need to address skills gaps and develop a strong leadership pipeline to shape the nation’s energy future.
Thus, he indicated that they have commenced with the 2026 Scholarship Application Process, which runs from 21 August to 07 October 2025.
“In anticipation of the next phases of the upstream petroleum sector, PETROFUND is intensifying efforts to build a highly skilled workforce,” he said.
He added that the scholarships will equip Namibians with critical expertise ahead of the final investment decisions by petroleum exploration licence holders who made discoveries in recent years.
Kandjimi explained that the programme is aligned with the National Development Plan Six, which prioritises human capital development, research and innovation as key drivers of economic transformation.
“By investing in specialised skills in petroleum-related fields, PETROFUND contributes to the creation of a knowledgeable and innovative workforce that will support research and ensure the sustainable utilisation of Namibia’s natural resources,” he added.
For the 2026 academic year, he said that PETROFUND will prioritise undergraduate studies in the Bachelor of Science in Geosciences and in engineering disciplines such as Civil, Marine, Chemical, Electrical, Power, Industrial and Mechanical Engineering at universities in the SADC region.
He said that provision has also been made for Namibians wishing to pursue a Diploma in Instrumentation Engineering Technology specialising in oil and gas at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Canada.
