Namibia

Paris appoints new ambassador in Windhoek

France's ambassador to Namibia, Sébastien Minot, will be leaving Windhoek by September. His successor is career diplomat Cécile Vigneau.

UN ambassador Imene-Chanduru faces forced labour charges in US

A close associate of the Namibian vice president is facing charges brought by her former domestic employee relating to the period when she was posted to the US.

The New Guard
Benin, Namibia, Uganda

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

Benin Olivier Pognon, state lawyer taking on multinationals

Namibia Emma Theofelus, new voice of transitional presidency

Uganda Resty Nabaggala, young founder of Here for Her

Chinese group CCECC wins $30m contract for water treatment plant

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation has just won a contract worth just over $30m for a 34-month period as part of the Namibia Water Sector Support Program.

Embassies in SADC member countries to favour Riyadh's economic growth

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is counting on new embassies in Africa to facilitate the diversification of Saudi Arabia's economy.

Saudi Arabia lays groundwork for embassy openings in SADC

The majority of UAE embassies to be opened in 2024 in Africa will be located in the Southern African Development Community.

Junior minister Zacharopoulou to visit Maputo, Lusaka and Lilongwe

France's Minister of State for Development, the Francophonie and International Partnerships Chrysoula Zacharopoulou will be touring Southern Africa in mid-December.

Windhoek set to apply to EITI mining transparency body

The international secretariat of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in Oslo is expecting to receive an application from Namibia soon.

Russian diamonds row paralyses Kimberley Process annual meeting

The annual meeting of the international certification body was split on whether or not Russian diamonds should be considered as conflict diamonds. The stalemate prevented the organisation from appointing a new secretary general and setting up its secretariat in Gaborone.

TotalEnergies plays down Orange Basin potential

French major TotalÉnergies, operator of Namibian block 2913B on which it discovered oil in February 2022, communicates very little about the potential of the Orange Basin permit. It would seem on purpose.

Former Namcor boss about to find out if he is to be reinstated or not

Immanuel Mulunga, the managing director of Namibian national oil company Namcor who was sanctioned suddenly last April, still does not know what his fate will be.

ENI to gain clarity on Central Blocks by end of 2023

Italian major ENI is itching to get into the fruitful Namibian oil and gas scene, but will have to wait a bit longer for authorities to decide on permits 2312 et 2412A – also known as the Central Blocks.

Green hydrogen: France's HDF Energy makes its mark in the shadow of Germany's Enertrag

Working in the shadow of prominent German players developing green hydrogen in Namibia, France's HDF Energy is also investing in the sector with a no-export strategy that should enable it to come on stream more quickly.

TotalEnergies Block 5/6/7: PetroSA to sell stakes to CNOOC to fund exploration

South Africa's state-owned PetroSA plans to sell half of its 20% stake in the offshore block in the Orange Basin to fund its share in a long-awaited exploration well.

Critical minerals: EU deepens ties with Windhoek and woos Kinshasa

The European Commission and Namibia have approved a raft of joint projects, 10 months after signing a framework cooperation agreement in mining and industry. In addition, the EU is also in talks with further countries.

Spotlight
Suspended Namcor MD Mulunga was victim of company infighting

Namibia's anti-corruption commission has detailed the circumstances which led to the suspension of the managing director of state-owned oil company Namcor in early April. It suggests that his suspension was precipitated by tensions between him and the company's board.