Contrary to recent social media posts, Namibia has not prohibited the United States from mining oil and gas within its borders. False claims circulating on Facebook on 17 April suggested that Windhoek had terminated an oil and gas contract with the U.S., asserting that “no one will touch” the country’s energy resources and that oil companies in Namibia would be controlled solely by Namibians for their benefit.
International oil companies, including American firms Chevron and ExxonMobil, have been active in Namibia since last year following significant offshore discoveries, among the largest in recent decades. Namibia is now a global hotspot for exploration and aims to produce its first oil by 2030.
In March, Namibia’s newly elected president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, announced that the country’s emerging oil and gas sector would be overseen by the presidential office. However, there is no evidence that she indicated a ban on American firms from exploration or drilling.
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Namibian presidential press secretary Alfredo Hengari confirmed to Reuters via email that the social media claims were false.
Chevron has not responded directly to requests for comment but stated on 24 April it is considering drilling an exploration well in the Walvis Basin, off Namibia’s coast, in 2026 or 2027. Meanwhile, ExxonMobil is conducting detailed studies to identify potential drilling sites, according to Namibia’s petroleum commissioner at an energy conference on 23 April.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State also confirmed to Reuters that the social media reports were inaccurate.
The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) did not respond to requests for comment. However, Reuters reported in November that the Namibian government had begun discussions with international energy firms on a gas development plan intended to be led by NAMCOR.
Verdict: False. Both the Namibian presidency and the U.S. State Department have denied the social media claim. U.S. oil major Chevron plans potential drilling off Namibia’s coast, and ExxonMobil continues its exploration studies in the region.
