Our Insights
“Namibia is open for business. But not business as usual.”
Remarks shared by Hon. Tom Alweendo during the launch of Alvenco Advisory, 10 July 2025
Good evening, distinguished guests, partners, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen.
It is with great optimism and purpose that I stand before you today to announce the official launch of Alvenco Advisory, an advisory company born from deep reflection on the moment Namibia finds itself in, and the immense opportunities that lie ahead for our country.
Over the past several years, Namibia has been thrust into a new era of possibility. The discovery of significant offshore oil reserves in 2022 marked a historic turning point. And even before that, the seeds of our ambition to become a global leader in green hydrogen and a continental logistics hub were already being sown. These developments did not happen in isolation. They are part of a deliberate national effort to harness our natural endowments, our wind, sun and mineral wealth, not just for short-term gain, but for lasting, inclusive prosperity.
Having had the privilege to serve as the Minister of Mines and Energy, I witnessed firsthand the birth of this new chapter. I have also come to understand, intimately so, that how we navigate this chapter will determine whether it becomes a success story for generations to come, or a missed opportunity. This is why Alvenco was founded.
Our purpose at Alvenco is straightforward yet profound: to provide strategic guidance to investors in Namibia’s energy and mining sectors, ensuring that their investments lead to meaningful, inclusive and sustainable growth for the Namibian people, and that those investments are profitable and protected.
We operate with the belief that capital investment and national development goals are not in opposition. They can, and must coexist. We understand that investment must be matched with insight. We acknowledge that ambition must be anchored in strategy, making us a bridge between vision and reality.
Too often, resource-rich nations fall into the trap of extractive arrangements that benefit a few, leaving communities behind and stoking resentment. At Alvenco, we reject this model. We believe that the exploitation of Namibia’s natural resources is only meaningful if the resultant economic benefits are equitably shared among all Namibians.
Let me be clear: this is not only a moral imperative, it is also smart economics. No investor can expect long-term returns in a country where the majority feel excluded from growth. There is empirical evidence that social stability, human development and equitable opportunity are the bedrock of any thriving investment environment.
Today, Namibia is not merely a country with potential. We do recognise that potential alone is not enough, investment is not automatic, and that prosperity is not guaranteed. Fortunately, we are a country with a plan. We are building institutions and frameworks that are designed to steward our natural assets wisely. And we welcome global partners who are willing to work with us.
I know there may be questions, both from Namibians and from the international community. And the questions are about whether the interests of the government and those of international investors, are aligned, or can be aligned. It’s an important question, and one I want to address directly.
The answer is: government and investors interests are not inherently at odds.
The Namibian government seeks development, jobs, infrastructure, skills, and ultimately, shared prosperity. Investing companies seek returns on their investment, operational stability, and social license to operate. These, ladies and gentlemen, are not conflicting objectives. In fact, I dare say that they are deeply interdependent and can be aligned.
But alignment does not happen by accident. It must be cultivated through honest dialogue, sound policy and trusted local expertise that can bridge the interests of both sides. With good planning, transparency, and partnership, the outcome will be a win-win situation. This is the space that Alvenco intends to occupy.
The Role of Alvenco
At Alvenco, we understand Namibia, its political landscape, its regulatory frameworks, its cultural nuance. We understand what motivates both the public sector and private capital. We know what it takes to bring people together around a shared agenda.
At Alvenco, we will:
Advise international investors on how to engage meaningfully and respectfully in Namibia’s extractive sectors; Support government institutions by contributing to policy conversations that prioritise value retention and capacity building; Facilitate public-private partnerships where risk is shared and benefits are mutual; And advocate for Namibian talent development, local contentand community impact as key performance metrics in every investment deal. In doing so, we are not only building bridges, we are building a new development model, one that aligns the public good with the profit motive.
Our long-term vision is a Namibia where: Every new oil well leads to new schools, hospitals, and jobs; Every green hydrogen project catalyses a clean energy economy and skills transfer; Every ton of extracted lithium or uranium translates into industrial value addition and manufacturing jobs on the Namibian soil.
This is not a utopian vision. It is achievable. But only if we are deliberate, about governance, about who we partner with and about how we measure success.
To the global investment community: Namibia is open for business. But not business as usual.
You will find in Namibia a willing partner, a stable democracy and a growing appetite for innovation. But you will also find a population that is watching, waiting and hoping for real inclusion. At Alvenco, we will help you navigate this balance, with integrity, transparency and a shared commitment to long-term prosperity.
In closing, I want to say this: the story of Namibia’s resources is still being written. What we do now, how we choose to invest, negotiate and govern, will determine whether this story becomes a source of pride for our children and grandchildren.
Alvenco is not just another advisory firm. It is a platform for shaping that story in a way that uplifts all Namibians and honours the trust that nature has placed in us.
As stakeholders who believe in Namibia’s promise, let us build this future together, with clarity, with courage, and with conviction. I look forward to collaborating with all of you, and I once again thank you for coming.
