The Petroleum Training and Education Fund (PETROFUND) has officially launched its 2026 scholarship application window, which will remain open until 7 October 2025 at 13:00. The initiative is a direct response to recent oil and gas discoveries in the Orange Basin and aims to build a highly skilled Namibian workforce in anticipation of the country’s growing upstream petroleum sector.
The scholarship programme is designed to equip Namibians with specialised expertise ahead of final investment decisions by petroleum exploration licence holders. It aligns with Namibia’s National Development Plan Six, which emphasises human capital development, research, and innovation as pillars of economic transformation.
For the 2026 academic year, PETROFUND will prioritise undergraduate studies in Geosciences and various engineering disciplines, including Civil, Marine, Chemical, Electrical, Power, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering at universities within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Additionally, a limited number of scholarships will be available for a Diploma in Instrumentation Engineering Technology specialising in oil and gas at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Canada.
The fund will also support a range of postgraduate programmes, both locally and internationally. These include Master’s degrees in Petroleum Geosciences, Exploration Geophysics, Reservoir Evaluation and Management, Aerospace Engineering, Drilling Engineering, and Oil and Gas Law, among others. A full list of eligible programmes is available on the PETROFUND website.
Prospective undergraduate applicants must be Namibian citizens with excellent Grade 12 or Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level results, including strong passes in Mathematics, Sciences, and English, and a minimum of 30 points in five subjects. Postgraduate applicants are required to hold a relevant honours degree with an average of at least 60%. All scholarship recipients will be required to work in Namibia upon completion of their studies.
Recognising the digital divide, PETROFUND has made special arrangements for applicants in rural areas with limited internet access. They may collect and submit application forms at their nearest constituency or Regional Council offices during the application period.
Shoki Kandjimi, PETROFUND Spokesperson, encouraged all eligible Namibians with an interest in the oil and gas industry to apply before the deadline. He emphasised that the scholarship programme plays a vital role in preparing local talent to drive economic growth, enhance energy security, and promote environmental stewardship.