Category: Publications

Namibia’s Nuclear Future: Rethinking Power Through Policy, Precision, and Purpose

Nuclear Energy Cover Photo 002

In a world accelerating toward decarbonisation and autonomy, Namibia has a unique card to play: uranium. Not in the usual sense, where we extract, export, and applaud the transactional benefit. That model has run its course. The next phase demands something different. It requires strategic imagination. Repositioning uranium not merely as a commodity, but as […]

Chambers and Partners -Energy: Oil & Gas 2023 Namibia Trends and Development

Exclusive Contributor Flyer

We are delighted to be a contributing firm to the Energy: Oil & Gas 2023 with Chambers Global Practice Guide. Our commentary contributed by our Managing Partner, Shakwa Nyambe and Senior Associate, Shafimana Shimakeleni, sheds light on the latest trends and developments in the exciting and ever-evolving oil and gas sector in Namibia. This includes […]

Energy: Oil & Gas 2022 -Trends and Developments

shakwa pic

Introduction The Republic of Namibia – also known as the “Land of the Brave” – is a largely unexplored frontier. The recent offshore discoveries by Total Energies and Shell, as well as the confirmation of a working petroleum system onshore in the Kavango Basin by Reconnaissance Energy Namibia, has now placed Namibia in the limelight; […]

The embodiment of local excellence

Local Advice

Elite local advice is crucial for African oil and gas projects, say energy law experts Shakwa Nyambe and Shafimana Shimakeleni, who discussed this need with Craig Sisterson. It’s vital for multinational oil companies operating in African nations like Namibia to work with specialised local firms who deeply understand the energy sector if they want to […]

Local experience is invaluable

Africa Legal Picture Shakwa Nyambe

International energy companies operating in Africa need to understand and adjust to many local legal requirements, and must look carefully at the way applicable laws have been interpreted by local courts and regulators, says Shakwa Nyambe, Managing Director of Namibian firm SNC Incorporated. Namibia is aiming for its first oil output later this decade following […]

Energy: Oil & Gas 2021

tower and clouds

Namibia: Trends & Developments Shakwa Nyambe and Shafimana Shimakeleni SNC Incorporated Trends and Developments Contributed by: Shakwa Nyambe and Shafimana Shimakeleni SNC Incorporated see p.6 The Republic of Namibia, also known as the “Land of the Brave”, is a largely unexplored frontier that has recently attracted interest from major and medium-sized oil companies. To date, […]

COVID-19 UPDATE: NAMIBIA

Covid virus

COVID-19 UPDATE: NAMIBIA The Government of the Republic of Namibia have acted swiftly to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in Namibia by introducing a number of measures. Namibia registered her first two confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the 13th of March 2020 and on the 17th of March 2020, the Government declared a State of Emergency, […]

Mercy Nasilele

ASSOCIATE DESIGNATE

Dipl. (Arbitration and Dispute Resolution), LLB (Honours) (Namibia)

Mercy Nasilele joined SNC Incorporated as a legal intern in 2021. She holds a Diploma in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, and a Bachelor of Laws Honours Degree (LLB) (Honours) from the University of Namibia.

She is presently enrolled with the Justice Training Centre of Namibia, in pursuit to become an Admitted legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia.

Her favourite verse is Hebrews 11:1

”Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Netumbo Nuuyoma

Netumbo Nuuyoma

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Bachelor Degree in Accounting (Namibia)
MSc in General Management (Germany)

Netumbo Nuuyoma joined SNC Incorporated as the Executive Assistant to the Managing Partner in October 2024. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Accounting from the Namibia University of Science and Technology and an MSc in General Management from PFH Private University of Applied Sciences. Since joining the firm, Netumbo has gained practical experience in executive support, project coordination, and financial services. She is known for her adaptability and commitment to building positive relationships that contribute to organizational success. Her role encompasses managing executive calendars, coordinating meetings and travel, preparing financial administration, and handling confidential correspondence.

Claassens Chombo

Office Assistant
Dipl. In Business Administration, BBA (Honours) (Namibia)

Claassens Chombo joined SNC Incorporated as an Office Assistant in 2021. He holds a diploma in Business Administration as well as an Honours Degree in Business Administration with a major in Strategic Human Resource Management from the University of Namibia. Since joining the firm, Claassens has gained practical experience in office administration which generally ranges from administrative, handling and managing client documentation.

He describes himself as highly motivated and lives by a quote by Marie Forleo which states:

“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently”.

Simba Nduna

Senior Associate

BL(Honours), LLB (Zimbabwe)

Simba Nduna is the holder of a Bachelor of Law (BL) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Zimbabwe. He is admitted to practice as a legal practitioner in Zimbabawe. Over a period of 16 years in Zimbabwe, he dealt with corporate as well as commercial matters, advising corporate,state-owneed institutions as well as institutions of higher learning. He also attended to related litigation.
 
In 2006, Simba joined the Office of the Prosecutor-General in Namibia as a State Advocate until 2020. In that capacity, he prosecuted criminal cases in the Lower Courts and High Courts of Namibia. Simba is also specialised in the handling of Money Laundering, Bribery, Compliance, Anti-Corruption as well as Extradition matters. Simba recently completed his theoretical and practical training at the Justice Training Centre of Namibia and is an admitted legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia.
Olavi Popyeinawa

Olavi Popyeinawa

ATTORNEY (CA)
Dipl. (Arbitration & Dispute Resolution) (Namibia)
LLB (Honours) (Namibia)

Olavi Popyeinawa is a Candidate Attorney at SNC Incorporated, a full service Energy, Natural Resource, Corporate & Commercial and Dispute Resolution law firm based in Windhoek, Namibia. Olavi joined the firm as a legal and communication intern and has since developed his skillsets, where he now brings a unique blend of legal expertise and communication skills to the firm. Olavi previously served as a Columnist at the largest state owned newspaper in Namibia, where he wrote and authored the widely-read column in the New Era Newspaper for half a decade. His insights into critical and social matters attracted thousands of readers. He holds a Bachelor of Law Honours (LLB) degree and a Diploma in Alternative Dispute Resolution, both from the University of Namibia. He is currently enrolled at the Justice Training Center, where he is pursuing his admittance as a Legal Practitioner in the High Court of Namibia.

Loide Hamutumwa

CANDIDATE ATTORNEY
B. JURIS& LLB Hon, LLM (Namibia)
LLM (Petroleum Taxation and Finance) (United Kingdom)
Dipl. Commerce (Namibia)
BTech in Administration (Namibia)

Loide Hamutumwa has broad experience in Energy Finance and Taxation. With very impressive credentials, Loide holds a Diploma in Commerce, BTech: Administration (Namibia University of Science and Technology); B Juris, LLB (Honours), LLM (University of Namibia); LLM: Petroleum Taxation and Finance – distinction (University of Dundee).

For her in-depth knowledge in mineral & petroleum taxation and governance, she was appointed as a member to the government Petroleum and Mining Contracts Negotiating Team.

 

Loide’s other notable appointments include serving as a Convener of the Tax Tribunal. She is the present Secretary to the Namibia Double Taxation Agreements Negotiation Tax Team and a member to various SADC Working Groups on tax matters. Her career in Energy Finance started at the Solar Revolving Fund at Kongalend Financial Services (Pty) Ltd, prior to joining the UNDP-funded project Namibia Renewable Energy Programme (NAMREP), and later, joining the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

She enjoys writing tax journals and uses the knowledge and experience developed over years of working at the Legal Unit, Inland Revenue Department to educate taxpayers on tax compliance and tax justice.

 

Loide Hamutumwa is a Candidate Legal Practitioner presently enrolled at the Justice Training Centre of Namibia to undergo practical legal training and once completed, will apply to be enrolled as an Admitted Legal Practitioner of Namibia.

Esther Kiangi

Associate
LLB (Honours) (UK)
LLM (Oil Gas and Mining Law) (UK)

Esther Kiangi specializes in the oil, gas and energy industries.

After completing her LLB at the University of Nottingham, she pursued an LLM in Oil, Gas and Mining at Nottingham Trent University. Her expertise lies within upstream support services, including but not limited to the permitting and licensing of explosives and radiation sources, exemptions in respect of declarations of continuous operations, and in business advisory with regard to project development. In addition to the above, she has experience in contractual transactions and regulatory compliance.

While her primary focus is in the natural resource industry, her other legal skills lie within Corporate and Commercial Law, where she has cumulated vast experience as a Company Secretary to various companies, dealing with the day-to-day administrative tasks in the management of companies, as well as high-value transactions further acting as a business advisor to these clients in respect of deal structuring within the ambits of the law.

 

Esther is a member of the AIEN (Association for International Energy Negotiators), and her other notable achievements include being appointed to the board of Pearl Waterfree Technologies, as well as Triumphant College.

Esther recently completed her theoretical and practical training at the Justice Training Centre of Namibia and has  been  admitted to practice as a legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia.

Shafimana Shimakeleni

PARTNER

LLB (Honours) (Namibia)
LLM (Oil & Gas with Professional Skills) (United Kingdom)

Shafimana Shimakeleni is a Partner at SNC Incorporated. He is an admitted legal practitioner of the High Court and Supreme Court of Namibia with experience in the oil and gas, energy, commercial and corporate sectors. He holds an LLB (Honours) from the University of Namibia and a Master of Laws in Oil and Gas Law with Professional Skills (Distinction) from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom. Shafimana’s expertise includes drafting, reviewing, structuring and negotiation of various Commercial Agreements, Contract Management and Administration, rendering advice on Regulatory Compliance in the Energy, Oil & Gas and Mining sector, Mergers, Stakeholder Engagement, conducting Due Diligence Investigations for multinational transactions and representing our clients in Civil and Corporate litigation, both in the Namibian Courts and Private Arbitration.

Shafimana previously worked at Ministry of Mines and Energy in the Petroleum Affairs Directorate, where he was actively involved in matters related to regulation and compliance as well as assisting in the development of local content policy and legislation for petroleum exploration, development and production in Namibia.

Shafimana is a member of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), where he serves on the Hydrogen Task Force and the ESG Taskforce Committees. He is also a regular contributor to the Chambers Global Practice Guide.

Stanley Kambonde

SPECIALIST MINERALS ADVISOR

B. Juris, LLB (Honours), LLM (United Kingdom)

Stanley specializes in Mining (both large and small scale), Environmental Law, Marine Regulation, Minerals Investment Leveraging and Commodities Brokering. He has been vividly involved in the mining industry, both as an advisor and mining entrepreneur, for more than Seven (7) years.

Stanley not only understands the Namibian mining sector through the lens of legal and policy framework but has also grasped the technical operating components of a mining system along the value chain. Through such an in-depth technical, theoretical and investment-leveraging understanding, Stanley provides clients with expert advice and solutions to complex aspects of the minerals sector.

He has provided advisory services to various national and international corporations in the mining industry, including on legislative and regulatory frameworks. Further, Stanley has brokered and negotiated numerous transactions ranging from sale of mineral commodities, sale/transfer of mineral licenses and the successful setting up of mining operations.

He holds a B. Juris, LLB (Honours) from the University of Namibia and an LLM in Oil, Gas and Mining from Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom. Stanley recently enrolled at the Justice Training Centre of Namibia to undergo practical legal training and once completed, will apply to be enrolled as an Admitted Legal Practitioner of Namibia. 

Shakwa Nyambe

MANAGING PARTNER
B. Juris & LLB (Namibia),
LLM (Oil & Gas Law with Professional Skills) (UK)
PGDip (Drafting & Interpretation of Contracts) (South Africa)

Shakwa Nyambe is the Founder and Managing Partner of SNC Incorporated, with offices in Windhoek, Namibia. He is a specialist energy, natural resources, and commercial lawyer and also an expert in the drafting, reviewing, and negotiating of contracts. He has advised international corporations, state-owned enterprises, governments, and individuals in oil & gas, renewable energy, and mining projects, and provided legal services in matters ranging from mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, and corporate governance to project financing as well as rendering advisory services on general commercial and dispute resolution matters. His clients include some of the international oil companies, upstream service companies, drilling companies, renewable energy companies, mining companies, construction and infrastructure companies, State Owned Enterprises, Governments, and corporate entities.

Shakwa previously worked as a Legal Counsel at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia, as a Chief Legal Officer at the Ministry of Justice, Namibia, and as a State
Advocate at the High Court of Namibia. Shakwa is the President of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN) for the period of 2025-2026. He serves on the drafting committees for the AIEN, including JOA Committee, LNG, SPA Committee, Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement Committee, the Drilling Contract Committee and the Hydrogen Task Force. Shakwa is a Director at Debmarine Namibia where he serves as Deputy Chairperson on the Board of Directors, and also serves as a Board of Director at NAMDEB Holdings (a 50-50 joint venture diamond mining between the Government of Namibia and De Beers).

Shakwa is ranked by the IFLR1000 2024 rankings as a Highly Regarded Lawyer in the practice area of Projects: Energy, with a focus on the Oil and Gas industry in Namibia. Shakwa has also been ranked as Band 3 lawyer for general business by Chambers and Partners 2025 rankings.

Shakwa holds a postgraduate degree of Master of Laws in Oil & Gas Law with
Professional Skills (LLM) from the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom, an Executive Diploma in Global Business (Masters Level) from the Said Business School, University of Oxford, a Postgraduate Diploma in Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts from the University of Johannesburg, a Baccalaureus Juris degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree, both from the University of Namibia. He is an admitted legal practitioner of the High Court and Supreme Court of Namibia.