Windhoek: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah emphasized Namibia's dedication to enhancing economic cooperation with Qatar, with a focus on energy and environmental collaboration as key components of the growing partnership. The remarks were made during a courtesy visit by Qatar's Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, at State House.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Nandi-Ndaitwah commended the enduring relationship between the two nations and identified opportunities for advancing mutual economic interests. She highlighted the concept of an association of desert countries to improve food security as an initiative that Namibia's environmental agencies could revive.

Namibia's recent offshore oil and gas discoveries have positioned the nation to seek guidance from Qatar's expertise in the energy sector. The President expressed a keen interest in leveraging Qatar's experience to ensure the new resources benefit the Namibian populace. She conveyed confidence that Al-Kaabi's visit would aid in this endeavor.

Al-Kaabi, during the meeting, confirmed Qatar's growing investment in Namibia's hydrocarbons sector, with Qatar Energy playing a significant role in exploration activities. He detailed Qatar Energy's extensive involvement, which includes partnerships on five blocks in the country, some with major international companies like Total, Shell, and Chevron.

As President and CEO of Qatar Energy, Al-Kaabi stated that the company is the largest contributor to oil and gas exploration in Namibia, having invested over N.dollars 51 billion or US$3 billion with international partners. He underscored the importance of the TotalEnergies' Venus discovery, describing it as highly promising and asserting Qatar's commitment to making a swift final investment decision to advance its development phase.

The Venus oil field, located offshore Namibia in the Orange Basin, is projected to be one of the largest oil discoveries in sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated 1.5 to 3 billion barrels of recoverable oil.