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Namibia’s Onshore Drive: Emerging Opportunities Beyond the Deepwater Frontier

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African Energy Chamber

With onshore drilling results in hand and key production tests planned for 2026, Namibia’s frontier basins are moving into sharper focus – creating new openings for investors at this year’s Namibia International Energy Conference

WINDHOEK, Namibia, February 12, 2026/APO Group/ –Namibia’s upstream narrative has, until recently, been defined by deepwater success in the Orange Basin, where major offshore discoveries have transformed perceptions of the country’s hydrocarbon potential. Galp’s Mopane discovery, estimated to hold up to 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent, alongside TotalEnergies’ Venus find, has firmly positioned Namibia on the global exploration map and underpinned expectations of first offshore oil before the end of the decade. Alongside this offshore momentum, however, a parallel story is unfolding onshore, where frontier basins, lower entry costs and improving geological understanding are drawing increased attention from explorers and investors alike.

 

What Makes Onshore Namibia Attractive?

Onshore Namibia presents a compelling proposition, particularly in the current global investment climate. Compared with deepwater developments, onshore exploration offers significantly lower drilling and operating costs, shorter project timelines and greater flexibility during appraisal. These advantages help reduce risk while allowing companies to test frontier plays more efficiently – a key factor given that Namibia’s onshore basins remain underexplored by international standards.

The most advanced onshore exploration activity is currently taking place in the Kavango Basin, led by ReconAfrica. In December 2025, the company completed drilling at its Kavango West 1X well to a depth of approximately 4,200 meters. Data collected during drilling confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons across a substantial section of the well, including several zones that could potentially support future production. Additional hydrocarbon indications were identified at deeper levels, pointing to the possibility of multiple viable targets within the basin. While the well was not immediately placed into production, the results marked one of the most significant onshore milestones achieved in Namibia to date and confirmed the existence of a working petroleum system.

Building on these findings, ReconAfrica plans to return to Kavango West 1X in early 2026 to conduct a production test. The results of this program will be critical in determining whether the hydrocarbons identified can be produced at commercial rates and whether the Kavango Basin can progress from exploration concept to viable development. Beyond this initial well, the company controls a substantial onshore acreage position across Namibia and neighboring Angola, providing considerable scope for follow-up drilling and potential farm-in opportunities should results prove encouraging.

Further west, the Owambo Basin represents another onshore frontier attracting growing interest. Exploration efforts led by joint ventures involving Monitor Exploration, 88 Energy and Legend Oil Namibia have focused on gravity, magnetic and environmental surveys under Petroleum Exploration Licence 93. These studies have identified several structural leads, including large closures capable of supporting hydrocarbon trapping within a rift-related petroleum system. While seismic acquisition and interpretation are expected to continue through 2026, the basin is increasingly viewed as a medium-term opportunity that could complement progress in the Kavango Basin.

Exploration and Activity Outlook

Looking ahead, 2026 is shaping up to be a defining year for Namibia’s onshore ambitions. In addition to the planned Kavango West production test, operators are expected to expand geochemical sampling and subsurface studies across multiple lisence areas, both within Namibia and along its onshore extension into Angola. These programs are aimed at reducing exploration risk and supporting investment decisions at a time when African onshore oil and gas spending is forecast to rise, driven by demand for lower-cost, shorter-cycle developments.

As this onshore momentum builds, the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) is emerging as a key forum for engagement between government, operators and investors shaping the country’s upstream future. Scheduled to take place in Windhoek from 14–16 April 2026 under the theme “The Road to First Oil and Beyond,” NIEC brings together policymakers, regulators, explorers, financiers and service providers at a critical point in Namibia’s development trajectory. While offshore projects continue to dominate global headlines, the conference provides onshore explorers with a platform to showcase progress, advance partnerships and engage investors seeking diversification beyond deepwater plays.

For onshore licence holders, NIEC creates tangible opportunities to progress farm-in discussions, secure technical and financial partners and align exploration timelines with national development priorities. As Namibia advances both offshore and onshore, NIEC ensures that policy, investment and technical planning move forward in step.

The African Energy Chamber serves as the strategic partner of NIEC 2026, working alongside government and industry to advance investment, local content and responsible energy development in Namibia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Business

Century Group Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Partner, Showcasing Regional Offshore Expansion

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African Energy Chamber

The Nigerian FPSO operator will highlight its fleet capabilities, regional expansion plans and investment partnerships at African Energy Week 2026

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 10, 2026/APO Group/ –Century Group has been confirmed as an Energy Infrastructure and FPSO Partner at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 in Cape Town, reflecting its growing footprint as one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous offshore operators. The company’s participation underscores its expanding operational capacity, fleet strength and role in driving local content and infrastructure solutions across Africa.
 




 

Century Group’s operational strategy is evolving beyond traditional service provision toward asset ownership, infrastructure management and regional expansion. In October 2025, the company confirmed it is in ongoing discussions with South African partners about potential oil and gas infrastructure projects, highlighting its interest in deploying FPSO and midstream solutions into new regional markets.

This partnership highlights how African-led solutions are increasingly shaping the continent’s energy landscape

At AEW 2026, Century Group will showcase how indigenous operators can support offshore production stability, build local capacity and forge strategic investment partnerships. Its asset portfolio and regional collaborations reflect Nigeria’s evolving offshore landscape, where local operators are increasingly ensuring production continuity, reducing bottlenecks and connecting domestic output to export markets – capabilities central to discussions at AEW’s upstream and infrastructure sessions.

“At AEW 2026, Century Group will showcase not only its fleet capabilities but also its strategic vision for offshore infrastructure development,” said NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “This partnership highlights how African-led solutions are increasingly shaping the continent’s energy landscape and how indigenous operators can bridge technical execution with regional growth opportunities.”

The company’s broader engagement in continental energy dialogues further underscores its strategic outlook. Century Group executives have advocated for deeper Africa‑Gulf partnerships, identifying Africa’s youthful demographics and growing energy demand as opportunities for joint investment and capability development in global energy markets.

These developments align with a wider shift in Nigeria’s energy ecosystem, where local capacity and policy reforms are boosting indigenous participation, enhancing competitiveness and unlocking private capital. Century Group’s trajectory – from managing FPSO/FSO infrastructure to cross-border expansion and strategic partnerships – reinforces its value as an FPSO partner for AEW and as a leader in Africa’s offshore energy sector.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

 




 

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ES-KO Secures Five-Year Catering & Facilities Management Contract Renewal with TotalEnergies EP Congo

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The contract renewal has generated strong momentum, reinforcing alignment, confidence, and renewed energy as ES-KO moves forward into this next chapter alongside TotalEnergies EP Congo

POINTE-NOIRE, Congo (Republic of the), April 10, 2026/APO Group/ –In mid-March, ES-KO (www.ES-KO.com) marked an important milestone in Congo with the renewal of its catering and housekeeping contract with TotalEnergies EP Congo for an additional five years. Awarded following a full tendering process, the renewal affirms ES-KO’s competitiveness, reliability, and operational excellence.
 




 
Download Brochure: https://apo-opa.co/4spz8K0

During the on-site visit, Beatrice Falsetti, ES-KO Operations Manager, and Olivier Guigon, ES-KO Congo General Manager, met with TotalEnergies EP Congo representatives to officially launch this new phase of collaboration. Discussions focused on future priorities, including continuous operational improvement, service quality, and initiatives to further strengthen coordination across sites.

The visit also included a trip offshore to Likouf, one of TotalEnergies EP Congo’s key production sites. Located 75 km off the coast of the Republic of Congo, Likouf is a massive floating production unit (FPU), roughly the size of two football fields and weighing around 80,000 tonnes. Operating 24/7, it is a fully self-contained industrial and living environment.

Likouf is also notable for being the first fully electric FPU, designed to significantly reduce its environmental footprint. Its “all-electric” system provides the power required for operations while minimizing gas combustion, supporting more sustainable offshore production.

Operating in such a remote and high-tech environment presents unique logistical and operational challenges—from complex supply chain coordination to maintaining consistent service standards at sea. Personnel typically live on the platform for rotations of up to one month, making daily life onboard highly structured and repetitive. In this context, ES-KO’s catering and facilities management services play a key role in supporting well-being and morale, bringing comfort, variety, and moments of relief that help break the routine.

Back onshore, ES-KO management gathered at the office to share the news with in-house teams and personally congratulate them on their efforts and contribution to this achievement. The contract renewal has generated strong momentum, reinforcing alignment, confidence, and renewed energy as ES-KO moves forward into this next chapter alongside TotalEnergies EP Congo.

Earlier in February, ES-KO was awarded an HSSE Trophy by TotalEnergies EP Congo in recognition of its strong 2025 performance in health, safety, security, and environmental practices.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of ES-KO.

 




 

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Ascott expands in Nairobi with new Citadines signing, reinforcing the city’s position as a regional hub

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Ascott

The signing reinforces Ascott’s commitment to expanding in high-potential urban markets and builds on its existing footprint in Kenya, where it currently operates Somerset Westview Nairobi, with additional properties in the pipeline

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 11, 2026/APO Group/ –The Ascott Limited (www.DiscoverASR.com), the wholly owned lodging business unit of Capital and Investment (CLI), has announced the signing of Citadines Westview Nairobi, a 160-key hotel located in the capital’s established Kilimani district. The new property will complement the existing 162-key Somerset Westview Nairobi serviced apartments, forming a strategic dual-brand offering that enhances Ascott’s ability to serve both short- and extended-stay demand across a broader range of traveller segments. Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2028, Citadines Westview Nairobi is designed to cater to a growing mix of both corporate and leisure travellers as well as the meeting and conferences demand.

 




  

 

Reinforcing Nairobi’s Role as a Regional Business Hub
Nairobi continues to strengthen its position as a key regional business and investment hub, supported by growing corporate activity, infrastructure development and increasing international connectivity. This is driving sustained demand for high-quality, flexible accommodation that caters to both short-term and extended stays. The signing reinforces Ascott’s commitment to expanding in high-potential urban markets and builds on its existing footprint in Kenya, where it currently operates Somerset Westview Nairobi, with additional properties in the pipeline.

Nairobi is one of Africa’s most important commercial and lifestyle hubs, with strong fundamentals supporting continued growth in hospitality demand

Part of Ascott’s Broader Africa Growth Strategy
The Nairobi signing forms part of Ascott’s broader expansion across Africa, where the company has secured 10 signings over the past year. Once fully operational, these will expand its portfolio from two properties today to 23 properties with over 2,800 units across 10 cities in eight countries by 2028. In addition to Kenya, Ascott is growing its presence in key markets including Morocco, Nigeria and Ethiopia, where two properties are slated to open in Addis Ababa’s Bole district, further strengthening its footprint in East Africa.

Vincent Miccolis, Managing Director for Middle East, Africa and Türkiye, The Ascott Limited, said:
“Nairobi is one of Africa’s most important commercial and lifestyle hubs, with strong fundamentals supporting continued growth in hospitality demand. This signing reinforces our commitment to the Kenyan market and reflects our focus on expanding in cities where we see sustained demand from both business and leisure travellers. We are honoured to further strengthen our partnership with Britam on this development, bringing together strong institutional investment and Ascott’s global operating expertise. By introducing Citadines alongside Somerset, we are able to offer a broader range of accommodation options that cater to different guest segments, while maintaining the quality and flexibility that define our brands.”

Ambrose Dabani – CEO & Principal Officer Britam Holdings PLC, said: “This investment reflects our long-term confidence in Nairobi as a key economic and commercial hub in the region. We are focused on high-quality, resilient assets that deliver sustainable value over time. Partnering with Ascott allows us to combine strong real estate fundamentals with an experienced global operator, ensuring the development is well positioned to meet evolving demand for professionally managed accommodation in the market.”

Designed for Modern Urban Living
Citadines Westview Nairobi will offer a mix of well-balanced hotel rooms, studios and one-bedroom apartments, supported by a comprehensive range of amenities including food and beverage outlets, meeting and conferencing facilities, a swimming pool, and a fully equipped gymnasium. The F&B offering will complement the Somerset Westview Nairobi’s Jabu rooftop bar and La Mascotte restaurant, contributing to a more vibrant and integrated lifestyle destination within the development. Strategically located  adjacent to Somerset Westview Nairobi in the prime Kilimani district, the property offers seamless access to Nairobi’s key business hubs and lifestyle destinations, providing guests with the flexibility and convenience for a comfortable stay, whether travelling for business or leisure, on short or extended stays.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Ascott Limited.

 

 




 

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