A strong legal framework for midstream infrastructure is essential to ensure that Namibia maximizes economic benefits, attracts investment, and builds a sustainable energy industry
SANDTON, South Africa, June 20, 2025/APO Group/ --
By Rachel Mushabati, Senior Associate Attorney & Country Head – CLG Namibia (www.CLGGlobal.com)

From Discovery to Delivery: Building a Legal Framework for Namibia’s Midstream Infrastructure (by Rachel Mushabati)
Namibia’s recent offshore oil discoveries mark a pivotal moment in the country’s energy sector. With major players such as Shell, TotalEnergies, QatarEnergy, and Galp uncovering significant reserves, Namibia is poised to become a key oil producer. However, while exploration and production activities have gained momentum, the midstream sector; involving transportation, storage, and refining of petroleum, remains underdeveloped.
A strong legal framework for midstream infrastructure is essential to ensure that Namibia maximizes economic benefits, attracts investment, and builds a sustainable energy industry. CLG Legal and Business Advisory, with its extensive advisory experience across Africa, is uniquely positioned to support this transition. CLG has advised on midstream regulatory frameworks, infrastructure structuring, and investment promotion strategies in various jurisdictions, and brings this expertise to the Namibian context.
Understanding Midstream Infrastructure and Its Importance
Midstream infrastructure serves as the critical link between oil extraction and the end consumer. This includes pipelines, refineries, storage facilities, and specialized port infrastructure that facilitate the transportation of crude oil and natural gas. Without adequate midstream infrastructure, Namibia risks becoming an exporter of raw crude without capturing additional value through processing and distribution. A robust midstream sector can boost job creation, industrial development, and energy security, making it a strategic national priority.
Market studies from other African producers have shown that well-developed midstream infrastructure can contribute up to 30% more in local value addition compared to direct crude exports.[1] In Ghana, for instance, domestic refining and pipeline infrastructure contributed significantly to its GDP growth in the petroleum sector between 2016–2022. Namibia has the opportunity to tap into similar economic potential.[2]
Existing Legal Framework and Gaps
Namibia’s petroleum sector is primarily governed by the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act 2 of 1991 and the Petroleum Products and Energy Act 13 of 1990. These laws focus largely on upstream activities and the regulation of downstream petroleum products. However, there is no dedicated midstream regulatory framework. The absence of clear midstream regulations means there is little guidance on ownership structures, investment incentives, and operational guidelines for pipelines, storage, and refining facilities.
For example, Nigeria’s midstream sector prior to the Petroleum Industry Act (2021) faced significant bottlenecks due to the absence of a clear regulatory framework, particularly regarding third-party access and tariff setting for pipeline infrastructure. These issues led to investor reluctance and underinvestment, which were only addressed after the establishment of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Nigeria Petroleum Industry Act, 2021).
Lessons from Other Oil-Producing Countries
Namibia can draw inspiration from countries that have successfully developed midstream infrastructure through effective regulation. Norway, for example, has established a robust midstream legal framework that ensures state participation in pipelines and refineries while promoting private investment.[3] Ghana has a dedicated Petroleum Midstream Regulatory Authority that oversees infrastructure development and ensures compliance with environmental and safety standards. Similarly, Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act (2021) introduced the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which provides clear guidelines on pipeline ownership and operations.
The Role of Key Stakeholders in Strengthening Namibia’s Legal Framework
To unlock the full potential of the midstream sector, coordinated action is required among various stakeholders:
- Government Ministries and Regulators: Responsible for drafting legislation, setting environmental and safety standards, and issuing licenses.
- Private Sector and Investors: Bring in capital and technical expertise, while also needing legal certainty to invest confidently.
- State-Owned Entities: Can serve as infrastructure operators and strategic partners in public-private partnerships.
- Civil Society and Communities: Essential for ensuring environmental accountability and social license to operate.
- Legal Advisory Firms: Provide technical assistance in drafting laws, structuring transactions, and navigating policy reform.
Strengthening Namibia’s Midstream Legal Framework
To address the existing gaps, Namibia must develop a comprehensive legal framework that clearly defines the governance of midstream activities. A dedicated Midstream Act would be a crucial first step, providing legal certainty on pipeline infrastructure, refineries, storage, and transportation. Encouraging public-private partnerships can drive midstream development while ensuring local participation. Establishing an independent regulatory authority will help enhance transparency, streamline approvals, and enforce compliance.
Additionally, Namibia should implement policies that prioritize local employment and skills transfer, ensuring that midstream investors contribute to national workforce development. Environmental and safety standards must also be strengthened to mitigate risks associated with pipeline integrity, spill prevention, and emergency response. To further attract investors, tax breaks, duty exemptions, and streamlined licensing processes should be introduced to make Namibia a more competitive destination for midstream infrastructure development.
Conclusion
For Namibia to fully capitalize on its oil discoveries, it must establish a strong midstream legal framework that facilitates the efficient transportation, storage, and processing of petroleum resources. Without this, the country risks losing significant economic value and remaining dependent on crude exports.
By adopting best practices from other oil-producing nations and implementing strategic legal reforms, Namibia can create a thriving midstream sector that benefits both investors and citizens alike. CLG stands ready to support this transformation, leveraging its pan-African expertise in midstream regulation, infrastructure development, and legal advisory. Our team has been instrumental in shaping midstream legal regimes across West and Central Africa, and we are committed to helping Namibia build a regulatory foundation that supports sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.
[1] Ruben, R., Kuijpers, R., & Dijkxhoorn, Y. (2022). Mobilizing the Midstream for Supporting Smallholder Intensification. Land, 11(12), 2319. https://apo-opa.co/4ngI2bu
[2] Oxford Business Group. “Ghana's energy production targets and exploration attract investment”. Retrieved from https://apo-opa.co/4kUZQHu.
[3] Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (2021). 'Midstream Regulatory Framework and Investment Guidelines'.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CLG.
This made me laugh walaahay, these pirates are mad they are trying to be modern day Robinhoods .. classic
Very funny. I think the UN should consider this and get back some of that money to feed Haitians.
hahahaha this is funny and brave move by the so called pirates, this is what I wanted to hear because I entirely agree with them. The Americans are just going to Haiti to loot not help, we all know it.
This is how America became wealthy, taking advantage of suffering of others, ask them and they will tell you it all became during World War II, when they came back almost ten times as wealthy and powerful because of the sufferings of people in Europe.
They continue to profit from sufferings of others around the world including Haiti, Afghanistan, Somalia, south Sudan, etc.
Actually, AMERICA became wealthy and rich because of hard work and determination to succeed. It is these pirates that taking advantage of others.
You guys SERIOUSLY need a lesson in history and to stop listening to the Islamo-nazis who obviously have brain washed you to believe that AMERICA is evil and responsible for this, or that.
We are there in those countries to STOP the non-sense of the fundamentalists of blowing up schools, killing non-muslims/muslims alike, and mistreating women like cattle.
We came back 10 times richer because of our management of the economy and NOT exploitation of other countries. Learn your history properly before making ignorant statements.
"We came back 10 times richer because of our management of the economy and NOT exploitation of other countries. "
There are two sides to every coin. Here's the other:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifest_Destiny
America the greatest thieves and robbers of the world calling others pirates when it's not serving their interest, America the greatest terrorist the world has ever seen, calling others terrorist because they chose to stand up to the American monster. What a great land!
Since America came to power the world became more violent, more homosexuals, more droughts, more pollutions, more natural disasters than ever before – a sign of America spreading corruption and unlawful things on earth.
This is America for me and nothing can change my views because I have lived these days and witnessed the American atrocity around the world my self.
Im glade China is replacing them now. Bye United States of Monster.
America the greatest thieves and robbers of the world calling others pirates when it's not serving their interest, America the greatest terrorist the world has ever seen, calling others terrorist because they chose to stand up to the American monster. What a great land!
Since America came to power the world became more violent, more homo-sexuals, more droughts, more pollutions, more natural disasters than ever before – a sign of America spreading corruption and unlawful things on earth.
This is America for me and nothing can change my views because I have lived these days and witnessed the American atrocity around the world my self.
Im glade China is replacing them now. Bye United States of Monster.
Interesting article. Rhodimus has some reasonable arguments. People should always be careful about speaking in general terms. I do believe there are many good Americans who are genuine and hardworking. Trust me I happen to know many of them. Further any sort of violence hearts and undermines human existence. I rather have the worst peace then the most just war/violence.
But that is not the point here. Rhodimus talks about history but I think he/she should take a deeper look into the same history he//she is referring to. The manifestation of global engagements today is a product of a sense of historical oppression injustice and eagerness to hold on to hegemony. That history is well documented and I believe Rhodimus can learn a lot from that.
Interesting article. Rhodimus has some reasonable arguments. People should always be careful about speaking in general terms. I do believe there are many good Americans who are genuine and hardworking. Trust me I happen to know many of them. Further any sort of violence hearts and undermines human existence. I rather have the worst peace then the most just war/violence.
But that is not the point here. The manifestations of global engagements are a product of history of global domination and hegemony coupled with feelings of oppression and injustice – in its wider sense. Not sure what history Rhdodimus is referring to but some context would be fitting.
woooooooooow great full pirates its funny t hear some thing like that buut bravo well done, pirates realized that american,s are looting haiti not hrelping and that is the reality
sorry prime but if you want to talk american history we can talk about the native in america and canada before the white man they where 38 million and today only about four millon there land was taken from them are now called Canada [village] and the usa named after the so called discover not only did the americans
killed they people but they also toke the kids but them in a so called school force the kids to take names only from the bible destorying their family and native names made the father and mother live in reserve kids in school the kids where mostly rape boys and girls
o yea lets talk more history before you rush to muslim brain wash. The black slaves yea the ones who build the great usa while they where whip now i will tell where the wealth came from stolen land and for unpaid labour. and o yea where not the usa who train osma so quit
So quit pointing your fingers when usa is dirty they only talk about living justly with others when they reached their goal
ps few mistakes in the typing but u will understand
Of -Course Haiti was Home To John Belemy The Most Famous Pirate Of all