McDermott International and Namibia's Petroleum Training and Education Fund (PETROFUND) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop local talent in Namibia's emerging energy sector. The partnership, announced on October 8, 2025, aims to create comprehensive training and employment pathways in the upstream oil and gas industry.
Strategic Workforce Development Initiative
The collaboration comes at a crucial time as Namibia's energy landscape undergoes significant transformation, focusing on building local expertise in technical roles such as engineering, fabrication, and project management.
Mahesh Swaminathan, McDermott's Senior Vice President of Subsea and Floating Facilities, emphasized the initiative's importance: "This MOU furthers our commitment to developing local content and building a sustainable oil and gas workforce in Namibia."
Economic Impact and Local Empowerment
The partnership aligns with Namibia's broader economic development goals, ensuring citizens can actively participate in the country's growing energy sector. PETROFUND CEO Nillian Mulemi highlighted the program's potential to position local talent across the upstream industry's value chain.
Key Program Components:
- Academic and industrial training initiatives
- Mentorship programs
- Employment opportunity creation
- Technical skills development
This initiative builds upon existing efforts to balance resource development with local interests, ensuring sustainable economic growth while developing domestic expertise in the energy sector.
Looking Ahead
The partnership represents a significant step forward in Namibia's journey toward energy sector independence and expertise development. By combining international standards with local talent development, the program aims to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals ready to lead Namibia's energy future.