28-04-2025
Fact Check: Namibia has not ‘cut off' the US from mining oil and gas
Namibia has not banned the U.S. from mining oil and gas in its jurisdiction, contrary to claims circulating on social media.
Facebook posts, opens new tab on April 17 falsely said Windhoek terminated an oil and gas contract with the U.S., meaning 'no one will touch' the country's energy commodities. 'The oil companies in Namibia will be controlled by Namibians for the benefit of Namibians,' the posts said.
International oil companies, including American firms Chevron and ExxonMobil, have flocked to the southern African country since last year after fresh offshore finds ranked among the largest this century.
Now a global exploration hotspot, Namibia aims to produce its first oil by 2030.
In March, Namibia's newly elected president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said her nation's emerging oil and gas sector would now be managed by the presidential office. There is no evidence, however, that she said this would mean banishing American companies from exploration or drilling.
'The information is indeed false,' Namibian presidential press secretary Alfredo Hengari said in an emailed response to Reuters.
Chevron did not respond to a request for comment, though said on April 24 that it was considering drilling an exploration well in the Walvis Basin, off the Namibian cost, in 2026 or 2027.
ExxonMobil is also undertaking detailed studies to identify potential drilling targets, according to Namibia's petroleum commissioner speaking at an energy conference on April 23.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State also told Reuters by email that the social media claim is false.
National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) did not respond to a request for comment. However, Reuters reported in November that Namibia's government had begun talks with international energy companies on a gas development plan that it wants NAMCOR to lead.
ExxonMobil did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment.
False. Spokespeople for both the Namibian presidency and the U.S. State Department told Reuters the claim is false. Since the claim appeared online, U.S. oil major Chevron has said it's considering drilling an exploration well off the Namibian coast in 2026 or 2027. Another, ExxonMobil, is carrying out studies to locate potential drilling spots, also off the Namibian coast.
This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our fact-checking work.
