Local experience is invaluable

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 two significant offshore discoveries earlier this year by Shell and TotalEnergies.

“For any new oil and gas discovery in a new frontier, oil companies and service companies need to be aware of the applicable legal and fiscal regimes,” Nyambe explained. “They need to be aware of the labour issues, taxation, customs requirements and environmental issues, because these are the things they’re going to face as they progress to development and to production.” 

Companies operating in Africa not only need to be conscious of this array of legal and business issues, but also of how they differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and how such issues have been handled locally when disputes have arisen.

“Unfortunately, every country has its own requirements and legislation,” said Nyambe. He leads a team at SNC Incorporated whose members have worked in national oil companies and in government, and trained in energy law at universities in the UK. “Your legal advice must be localised in order to ensure that you give your client the best advice to be able to conduct their business,” he emphasised, explaining that it’s thus important to work with people who have experience on the ground. 

While working as an in-house counsel at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia, Nyambe saw the need to grow and nourish local legal and business advisory expertise in the fast-growing energy and natural resources sector. To help investors, government and oil companies, three years ago he established what is now SNC Incorporated, a leading energy, natural resources and commercial law firm based in Windhoek.

Nyambe and his team guide energy companies through a maze that includes the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, 1991, the Environmental Management Act, 2007, stringent environmental impact regulations, taxation and customs laws and myriad other legal and business considerations.

“We have the experience on the ground relating to the customs, tax, corporate structure formations, and all of these issues to do with permitting and licensing,” said Nyambe, noting that energy law reforms are also on the horizon in Namibia. 

“This is a new frontier and not all the laws relevant to the petroleum sector  are  in place and not all the issues have been catered for in the current laws,” he said of the evolving legal landscape. “There’s been discussion on amending the Petroleum Act, a process which still has a long way to go. It has started with consultation with the industry.” 

Nyambe expects reforms to align with international standards, create a good working environment for oil and gas companies operating in Namibia, and ensure plenty of local benefits through a local content framework. He believes it was a “step in the right direction” when the Namibian government launched its Sovereign Wealth Fund in May 2022 to kickstart the sustainable development of the country’s hydrocarbon resources and to save money from those resources “to diversify the economy and benefit future generations”.

This article was written by Craig Sisterson and published by Africa Legal, a legal media platform.

For more reading please visit www.africa-legal.com

https://www.africa-legal.com/news-detail/local-experience-is-invaluable/

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Bachelors in Marketing (Namibia)
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Mercy Nasilele

ATTORNEY (CA) LLB (Honours) ( Namibia)
Diploma in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (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”.

Ndeshi Mufeti

Ndeshi Mufeti

Attorney (CA)
LLB (Honours) (Namibia)

Ndeshi began her journey with SNC Incorporated as an intern and joined the firm as a Candidate Attorney in February 2026. She holds an LLB (Honours) degree from the University of Namibia and is currently completing her Justice Training Centre to become an admitted Legal Practitioner of the High Court.

As a Candidate Legal Practitioner, she supports the attorneys at SNC Incorporated in matters relating to energy, oil and gas, and commercial and corporate law.

During her studies, she served as Chairperson of the Law Association of Mooting and Advocacy (LAMA) at the University of Namibia, where during her tenure the Association was awarded the DSA Magriet Mainga Award and she was awarded the Humanitarian Award from for her work as a student parliamentarian and Chairperson of LAMA.

Olavi Popyeinawa

Olavi Popyeinawa

ATTORNEY (CA)
 LLB (Honours) ( Namibia)
Diploma in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (Namibia)
PGDip (Drafting & Interpretation of Contracts) (South Africa)

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 also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts from the University of Johannesburg. 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) ( Namibia)
LLM (Oil Gas & Mining Law) (United Kingdom)

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 (Namibia)
LLM (Oil, Gas and Mining Law) (United Kingdom)
PGDip (Drafting & Interpretation of Contracts) (South Africa)

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. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts from the University of Johannesburg.  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) (United Kingdom)
PGDip (Drafting & Interpretation of Contracts) (South Africa)
Executive Diploma in Global Business (Masters Level) (United Kingdom)

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 for both 2024 and 2025 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 for both 2025 and 2026 rankings.

Shakwa Nyambe is recognised for his work and leadership in corporate, commercial and energy sector transactions, as well as his role in supporting the development of Namibia’s emerging oil and gas industry. Shakwa was also named as the National Lawyer of the Year for Namibia at the 2026 IFLR Africa Awards. 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.