Namibia and Botswana are angry about their long-standing dependence on imported fuel and are now determined to jointly build an oil refinery to secure energy independence and drive regional growth. The proposed refinery, expected to cost up to $3 billion, would process around 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day, using either imported crude or potential local supplies from Namibia’s recent offshore discoveries. Planned near their shared border, the facility would serve both countries and possibly the wider Southern African region, aiming to lower fuel costs, improve supply stability, and boost industrial development. Feasibility studies are underway, covering environmental, financial, and logistical factors, with private sector involvement being considered. The project promises to create jobs, attract investment, and reduce the region’s vulnerability to external fuel shocks.
