NAMCOR’s new upstream development and production executive

The National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) recently appointed Mtundeni Ndafyaalako as their new executive in the Upstream Development and Production department. Ndafyaalako who was their New Ventures manager officially assumed the role in June this year, after acting in it for about nine months. While relatively new, he said the department holds significant importance in NAMCOR's transformation from a predominant exploration focus to a producing one, particularly in light of recent oil discoveries. “The responsibility is substantial, as decisions must be made not only for NAMCOR but often for the entire nation, making it a ‘formidable challenge’. My ability to harmonise the demands of a challenging profession with my role as a devoted full-time husband and father to two toddlers fills me with pride. Believe me, it's no small feat!”



Climbing ladders



Ndafyaalako who grew up looking after goats and cattle in Ongha, Ohangwena region is currently in pursuit of an MBA in Finance. He holds an MSc in Petroleum Geology from the University of Namibia (Unam) –a Senior Management Development Programme from the University of Stellenbosch. After he matriculated from Haimbili Haufiku Senior Secondary School in the Ohangwena region, he enrolled for a BSc in Geology at the University of Namibia but left for Cuba a year later. “I spent six years at the Higher Institute of Mining and Metallurgy of Moa in Cuba, studying Geological Engineering (Petroleum Exploration and Production, and Geophysics.)”



Ndafyaalako’s professional journey commenced in 2013 as an underground geotechnical team leader at Weatherly’s Matchless Mine. Subsequently, he spent three years at Pioneer Energy as a consulting petroleum geologist. He later joined the Ministry of Mines and Energy in 2016 as an upstream petroleum inspector. “I then joined NAMCOR as a geoscientist in 2018, when they were shaping their new strategy, focusing on expanding upstream assets both locally and internationally. My department plays a proactive role in shaping the developmental strategies for Namibia's oil and gas discoveries. Our efforts drive the nation’s ambition of achieving energy self-sufficiency and positioning itself as a significant energy export hub.”



Roles and responsibilities



As the Executive for Upstream Development and Production, he oversees NAMCOR’s portfolio of commercial oil and gas assets both locally and internationally. This includes projects like Kudu, recent discoveries, SPVs, and shareholding companies. His responsibilities encompass formulating and implementing NAMCOR’s strategy for ESG-conscious hydrocarbon development and sustainable production across global assets.



He plays a vital role in driving NAMCOR’s technical and commercial participation in recent oil discoveries, aiming to maximize value and refine their capabilities for future operatorship of petroleum licenses. His passion for Geosciences was ignited in high school, where he excelled in understanding depositional environments and basins. “My enthusiasm grew as my elder brother, now a captain of a diamond mining vessel shared captivating insights about rocks, minerals, diamonds, oil, and underground water.”



His foremost aspiration is to witness the triumphant and Environmental Social & Governance (ESG)-conscious growth, followed by the lasting eco-friendly extraction of Namibia's hydrocarbon assets, a goal they aim to achieve by 2030. He envisions a collaborative advancement in both fossil fuels and renewables, a strategic approach they are proactively pursuing at NAMCOR. “This strategy ensures that we retain the value of our oil reserves while seizing the potential of the energy transition, ultimately establishing ourselves as a key player in the international energy space.”



Words of wisdom



Ndafyaalako urges young professionals to acquire the skill of accomplishing tasks, regardless of their scale. To consistently deliver efficient and accurate results, regardless of assignment size, as this will undoubtedly garner recognition. “Trust me, your efforts will be acknowledged and rewarded when you consistently uphold this approach.” As for those aspiring to pursue a career in oil and gas, “the industry is quite dynamic and multi-disciplinary and thus requires continuous learning and self-improvement for those seeking career growth. It helps to be versatile and willing to integrate other fields such as law, finance, economics, etc, on top of your technical role.”