Staff Reporter
MCDERMOTT, a global engineering and construction company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Namibia’s Petroleum Training and Education Fund (PETROFUND) to strengthen academic and industrial training in the country’s oil and gas sector.
The partnership aims to provide Namibian students, job seekers, and service providers with access to training, mentorship, and employment opportunities that meet international standards.
According to McDermott, the collaboration focuses on upskilling Namibia’s local workforce for technical roles in engineering, fabrication, operations, and project management — key skills required to support the country’s growing offshore energy industry.
Photo: PETROFUND
“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 for Subsea and Floating Facilities. “By investing in the next generation of Namibian talent, we are helping prepare them to lead future projects as Namibia emerges as a key player in Africa’s energy landscape.”
PETROFUND Chief Executive Officer Nillian Mulemi said the agreement aligns with the fund’s mandate to build national capacity and enable Namibians to participate fully in the emerging oil and gas value chain.
“Capacity-building collaborations with international service companies promote the exchange of global best practices and technical expertise with local talent,” she said. “This positions Namibia’s workforce and service providers to play active roles across the upstream industry, while driving sustainable economic growth.”
The initiative supports Namibia’s broader economic development goals by ensuring that Namibians are equipped to benefit from the opportunities arising in the country’s expanding energy sector.
