Cutting-Edge Information Technology Will Power Namibia’s Energy Sector

Namibia has become a hotspot for oil and gas activities.

A boom seems just a matter of time.

With major companies like Chevron and Halliburton recently opening offices in the country, it is clear that the oil and gas sector is putting down roots.

This is excellent news for Namibian companies and Namibians.

It will create employment and business opportunities, notably from an information and communication technology (ICT) perspective, leveraging technology to support and help develop the projects.

As managing director of Green Enterprise Solutions, a full-service Namibian ICT organisation, I’ve been following these developments keenly. We assist, support and supply major financial institutions, ministries, mines and other Namibian and international companies with their ICT needs in Namibia.

As more companies come to Namibia from across the world, they will need people on the ground to work for them.

There will be a need to set up fully functioning offices that can scale up as the activities and number of employees increase.

There may be a need for satellite offices near the action, with high-speed connectivity back to their headquarters, whether they are in the United States, Qatar, or The Netherlands.

Flying in ICT consultants is costly and unnecessary; Namibian ICT experts are certainly a match for them.

We have the same international certifications, know the country and speak the language.

The local Information Technology (IT) experts can work closely with the in-house ICT teams of oil and gas companies to get everything and everyone online.

We aim to deliver world-class ICT solutions for the oil and gas sector and to help create a thriving knowledge-driven future for Namibia.

Some time ago, information and communication technology minister Emma Theofelus said Namibia needs to become a world-leading ICT hub for business.

Namibia is uniquely placed and can set up state-of-the-art facilities as we are not burdened with old technology.

This means we can install, implement and deliver safe and secure networks, ensuring cybersecurity measures are in place and that employees can work locally and still be connected to their international networks remotely.

By having Namibian companies participate in the new energy sector boom, Namibia will benefit in many ways. It will create jobs and be a catalyst for local skills development and sourcing equipment where possible will propel the Namibian economy.

We know offshore oil and gas activities are no longer a pipe dream for Namibia. Serious activities are underway to get projects off the ground so that the oil can start flowing.

The Namibian government has made it clear to international companies looking to do business in Namibia that Namibians and Namibian companies must be part of the oil and gas boom.

Namibian resources should stimulate socio-economic growth for everyone. Local content creation is at the very foundation of development in the oil and gas sector.

The Namibian government has staked its reputation on developing Namibia into a knowledge-based society.

Its national development plans speak to the investment and development of its natural resources, and the energy projects and peripheral activities manifest this vision.

With IT being part of every project and business, having a local, tried and trusted partner is indispensable to enable the projects to get off the ground in Namibia.

If Namibia truly wants to be a world-class player in the oil and gas sector, its infrastructure must be on point.

This includes providing state-of-the-art ICT services for organisations that expect and demand the best.

Namibia has an opportunity to showcase to the world that we can deliver, on time and to the required specifications.

• Kehad Snydewel is the managing director of Green Enterprise Solutions.