SOUTH AFRICA — South Africa and Namibia are actively advancing energy and mining cooperation to capitalize on the vast economic potential of the Orange Basin, according to South African Co-Chair Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo. Speaking at the Senior Officials’ Meeting of the Fourth Session of the South Africa–Namibia Bi-National Commission in Pretoria on Tuesday, Seokolo outlined a strategic push to deepen regional integration and leverage recent offshore oil and gas discoveries.
The gathering serves to evaluate advancements made since the Third Session, which took place in Namibia in October 2023, while laying the groundwork for the upcoming fourth session. Seokolo referenced a Midterm Review conducted in South Africa in November 2025, which acknowledged substantial progress in fulfilling bilateral commitments but emphasized that accelerated action remains necessary.
“Our principals have made clear the need for greater emphasis on strengthening the economic dimension of our bilateral relations,” Seokolo stated. He directed officials to pinpoint a focused set of high-impact priority projects designed to drive trade, investment, industrial development, and shared prosperity.
“We must therefore use this meeting to build on the progress achieved, address areas where implementation has been slower than anticipated, and inject greater momentum into our bilateral programme of cooperation,” Seokolo added. He noted that delegates are also tasked with identifying emerging sectors to further solidify the partnership between the neighboring nations.
A central pillar of this renewed focus is the joint development of petroleum, gas, and mineral resources, particularly within the Orange Basin, which spans the offshore waters of both countries. Seokolo commended Namibia’s exceptional exploration track record, stating, “We congratulate Namibia for its recent oil and gas discoveries. We understand that the exploration of Namibian Orange Basin is among the highest ever recorded in a deepwater frontier basin.”
Data highlighted during the meeting indicates that 15 out of 17 wells drilled in the Namibian sector of the Orange Basin between February 2022 and mid-2026 yielded commercial discoveries, achieving an approximate 88 percent success rate. Because these promising geological formations extend into South African territorial waters, Seokolo highlighted the mutual opportunity to construct a unified regional energy corridor.
Additionally, he pointed to robust collaboration prospects in the mining industry, given that both nations possess substantial reserves of critical minerals, including rare earth minerals, uranium, copper, lithium, graphite, and manganese. Finalizing a dedicated memorandum of understanding on geology and mining is expected to establish a structured framework for data sharing, technical cooperation, and joint investment promotion.
Beyond resource extraction, Seokolo advocated for expedited initiatives to optimize the Trans-Kalahari Corridor. He characterized the route as a vital trade and transport artery essential for enhancing regional connectivity, streamlining the movement of goods and services, and boosting intra-regional commerce.
Expressing optimism, Seokolo affirmed that the current deliberations will establish a robust foundation for a highly productive Fourth Session of the Bi-National Commission and a significantly strengthened bilateral alliance.