Growing up in Namibia and playing rugby in high school taught me many things, discipline, teamwork, and the importance of preparation. But one memory stands out. Before some of our training sessions, we’d have to remove the football posts that were still set up on the same field. The space wasn’t exclusively ours, we had to share it. It might have been inconvenient at times, but looking back, it was a valuable lesson: infrastructure, when shared wisely, can serve more than one purpose and more than one team.

That principle lies at the heart of a conversation Namibia must have, about the strategic synergies between our well-established mining sector and the rapidly emerging oil and gas industry.

Mining has long been the backbone of Namibia’s economy. Now, with world-class oil and gas discoveries off our coast, we’re entering a new era. But rather than building parallel systems, we have a rare opportunity to think collectively. Just like that high school sports field, logistics, infrastructure, and talent pools developed for one sector can, and should, support the other.

A port upgraded for offshore drilling can just as effectively support bulk mineral exports. Roads, power, water, and telecommunications networks required for mine operations are just as essential to oil and gas field logistics. Training centers that develop welders, engineers, and technicians for mines could upskill Namibians for energy installations with only minor adjustments. We don’t need two of everything, we need smart, coordinated investments that serve both.

This isn’t just about cost savings. It’s about unlocking accelerated growth, using shared infrastructure to reduce duplication, fast-track project timelines, and extend the impact of every dollar spent.

The true measure of success for both sectors will not be found in balance sheets alone. It will be seen in the quality of life for ordinary Namibians. When mining and oil & gas thrive, government revenues rise. That fiscal space must then translate to improved infrastructure, better schools, modern hospitals, and opportunities for all.

We have one shot at getting this right. The world has shown us both sides of the extractive coin, economies lifted by resource wealth, and others burdened by inequality and missed opportunities. Namibia must chart a different course, where value is created and shared.

At RMB, we see our role as far more than that of a financier. We are partners in building ecosystems. With deep expertise across mining, oil, gas, and energy, we help structure innovative funding solutions, support local supply chain development, and engage policymakers to create bankable, sustainable outcomes.

Mining and oil & gas are not rivals, they are teammates playing different positions on the same field. Namibia’s moment is now. If we can remove the proverbial goalposts, see the bigger field, and play together, we can achieve something far greater than the sum of our parts.

RMB is proud to walk alongside our clients, government, and communities on this journey, enabling not just deals, but a better future for all Namibians.

Pull quote: At RMB, we see our role as far more than that of a financier. We are partners in building ecosystems. With deep expertise across mining, oil, gas, and energy, we help structure innovative funding solutions, support local supply chain development, and engage policymakers to create bankable, sustainable outcomes.

Olavi Hangula
Oil, Gas and Energy, Mining Sector Relationship Manager