McDermott has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Petroleum Training and Education Fund (PETROFUND) to advance technical training and workforce development in Namibia’s growing oil and gas sector.
The partnership will align academic and industrial training with international standards, offering Namibian students, job seekers, and service providers access to education, mentorship, and employment opportunities. The initiative aims to strengthen local capacity across technical disciplines including engineering, fabrication, operations, and project management, supporting the development of Namibia’s offshore energy resources.
“This MOU furthers our commitment to developing local content and building a sustainable oil and gas workforce in Namibia,” said Mahesh Swaminathan, McDermott’s Senior Vice President of Subsea and Floating Facilities. “By investing in the next generation of Namibian talent, we help prepare them to lead future projects as the country emerges as a key player in Africa’s energy landscape.”
Nillian Mulemi, Chief Executive Officer of PETROFUND, said the collaboration aligns with the fund’s mandate to build the capacity of Namibia’s workforce and service providers. “Partnerships with international service companies promote the exchange of global best practices and technical expertise with local talent,” she said. “This ensures Namibians are equipped to participate actively across the upstream value chain.”
The MoU supports Namibia’s broader local content and economic development goals, ensuring that national talent plays a central role in the country’s emerging offshore oil and gas industry.
Namibia has rapidly become one of Africa’s most promising new exploration frontiers, following a series of high-profile offshore discoveries in recent years.
