Bank Windhoek’s Managing Director, Baronice Hans, said that the Bank remains firmly committed to promoting sustainable solutions in all its financing and investment decisions around the oil and gas value chain. She delivered the remarks when industry leaders gathered this week in Windhoek for the 7th Namibia International Energy Conference, where they reaffirmed the country’s ambition for first oil production by 2030. Prime Minister Dr Elijah Ngurare, on behalf of President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, officially opened the conference on Wednesday.
The President assured investors and industry players of the Namibian government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment where energy investment can prosper. Speaking during a breakaway session titled, ‘Investing in Public-Private Partnerships for Strategic Oil and Gas Infrastructure,’ Hans underscored the importance of investing in enabling infrastructure to realise the country’s energy potential.
“At Bank Windhoek, we view our role far more than that of a financier. As a proudly Namibian institution, we are deeply committed to ensuring that the benefits of this emerging sector are widely shared among our citizens. Our goal is to see Namibians not as passive observers but as central actors and beneficiaries of this national opportunity,” said Hans. “Through our support for local content development and by offering tailored financial solutions to businesses operating in and around the oil and gas value chain, we are actively contributing to the creation of a resilient and inclusive economic ecosystem. We remain steadfast in our commitment to work alongside public and private sector stakeholders to ensure that investments in oil and gas infrastructure catalyse long-term, sustainable national development.”
Hans added that Bank Windhoek recognises the strategic importance of capital-intensive infrastructure investments, particularly in sectors such as oil and gas, which have far-reaching economic implications. “Our approach to Public-Private Partnerships is guided by prudence, purpose, and the broader developmental aspirations of Namibia,” she said.
“We adopt a measured yet forward-looking risk appetite that is informed by robust due diligence, structured risk-sharing frameworks, and a commitment to transparency and governance. We prioritise projects that demonstrate long-term viability, alignment with national priorities, and inclusive economic potential.” According to Hans, local financial services institutions have an indispensable and pivotal role in advancing local content. “Financing is a cornerstone of participation, and without access to capital, local businesses and entrepreneurs cannot meaningfully engage in the oil and gas value chain. Extending local content requirements to include the financial sector is not only prudent, but essential.
It ensures that Namibian financial institutions are empowered to serve the sector and that capital flows remain within the domestic economy. This approach builds institutional resilience, fosters local financial expertise, and enhances national ownership of the sector’s development,” she said. Capricorn Group and Bank Windhoek are participating in the three-day conference along with their strategic partner, the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB). Executive Director responsible for investment at NIPDB Francois van Schalkwyk highlighted that public-private partnerships are more than financing instruments but also serve as vehicles for knowledge transfer, innovation and capacity-building. “But unlocking the potential of PPPs in the oil and gas sector requires more than intent – it demands action. We need institutions that are agile, capable, and transparent. And we need investors who are not only looking for returns, but who are also committed to sustainable development and local empowerment,” said Van Schalkwyk.