Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity continues to emerge as a critical engine for growth in Namibia’s upstream oil and gas sector, as highlighted during a high-level panel discussion at the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC). The industry leaders emphasized how strategic M&A deals are reshaping the country’s energy landscape, unlocking capital, and accelerating exploration.
CEO of Eco Atlantic Oil&Gas, Gil Holzman, shared insights on how acquisitions have driven his company’s expansion in Namibia. He mentioned that most of their best blocks were acquired through M&As, with the recent acquisition of Azinam in 2021 providing promising blocks in the Orange Basin.
Holzman also highlighted the role of M&A transactions involving major players like ExxonMobil, QatarEnergy, Chevron, and TotalEnergies in bringing in capital and technical capabilities to advance exploration in Namibia’s offshore and onshore basins.
Adam Rubin, General Counsel at ReconAfrica, emphasized the strategic importance of M&As in catalyzing value creation, innovation, and meeting capital demands for upstream development. He reaffirmed ReconAfrica’s commitment to moving from exploration to full-scale production in the Kavango Basin.
CEO of Sintana Energy, Robert Bose, noted how M&A activity has enabled Sintana to broaden its asset base and establish relationships with complementary partners. He emphasized the importance of cost-effective investments and disciplined growth.
Liz Williamson, Head of Energy at Rand Merchant Bank, discussed the opportunities that arise when IOCs divest from mature assets, creating openings for mid-cap firms with fresh capital. She emphasized the need for clear deal frameworks and local content policies to build investor confidence.
As Namibia becomes a key exploration hotspot, discussions around capital flows and deal-making will continue at African Energy Week 2025. This event will bring together industry leaders, investors, and government representatives to advance dialogue, showcase project opportunities, and drive strategic partnerships across Africa’s energy landscape.
African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies is the premier platform for project operators, financiers, technology providers, and government officials to sign deals in African energy. For more information about this event, visit www.AECWeek.com
Press release distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
