our Expertise

Our Focus Areas:

Energy

Power

Corporate & Commercial

Regulatory Compliance

Natural Resources

Dispute Resolution

Mining and Metals

Mergers & Acquisitions

Legal & Regulatory Compliance

Infrastructure & Commercial Transactions

Corporate Legal Services

Telecommunications

Labour & Employment

Renewables and Clean Energy

Oil & Gas

Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) 

Environment and Climate Change

Experience with Drilling Companies

  • Rendering legal advise and Preparing Legal Opinions on Permitting and Licensing for Drilling Companies in Namibia
  • Work permits, employment permits (Immigration)
  • Advise on relevant Namibian Procurement Laws and Local Content Provisions
  • Advise on Labour Laws and labour matters
  • Draft, review and negotiations of agreements
  • Rendering legal Advise and Preparing Legal Opinions on environmental requirements
  • Incorporation of companies in Namibia and requirements thereof
  • Drafting legal opinions on local content requirements
  • Environmental Clearance Certificate

Experience with Seismic Exploration Companies

  • Rendering legal and business advisory services on the specific Local Content Rules Applicable to Companies Incorporated in Namibia;
  • Rendering legal and business advisory services on different forms of business in Namibia and which form of business to utilise depending on company’s business objective in Namibia
  • Advising on Annual Compliance/Reporting Obligations Private (Proprietary) Limited Company
  • Advising on Annual Compliance/Reporting Obligations – External Companies;
  • Advising on the legal framework regulating Upstream Mining and Upstream Petroleum;
  • Advise on the relevant regulators as well as salient stakeholders and advising engagement with regulators Upstream Regulators and Government Authorities
  • Incorporation of companies and company secretarial services;

Experience with IOC / Operators

  • Drafting, negotiating and reviewing of various upstream agreements such as Purchase and Sale of Asset Agreement, Royalty Agreement, Farm Out Agreement, Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements, Joint Operating Agreement, Petroleum Agreement
  • Conducting Stakeholder Engagements and Obtaining relevant land Consent from landowners
  • Preparation and Filing of Merger Notifications with NaCC (Mergers and Acquisition)
  • Preparation of Title and Corporate Opinions
  • Rendering legal Advise and Preparing Legal Opinion on complex Tax, VAT and Customs Issues in Namibia
  • Rendering Advise on land tenure system of Namibia
  • Rendering legal Advise and Preparing Legal Opinion on Labour related matters;
  • Incorporation of companies and company secretarial services;
  • Rendering legal Advise and Preparing Legal Opinion on Foreign exchange regulatory approvals and repatriation of capital
  • Legal, regulatory and business advise on obtaining exploration and production licences nd preparing licence applications
  • Conducting transactional Due diligence and anti-bribery due diligence
  • Applying for Employment Permits and Work Visas (Immigration)
  • Environmental social governance (ESG)
  • Rendering legal Advise and Preparing Legal Opinion on Local Content in Namibia

Our experiences in Corporate Governance

  • Advised International Energy Companies on the various types of organizations/entities/ – Companies available, including branches of foreign subsidiaries, offices and local subsidiaries in Namibia and further advised on the process of establishing the local entity and the relevant documentation required.
  • Provided Corporate Governance Support to confidential company’s Board of Directors, which inter alia included Corporate secretarial work required to keep the Namibia branch in good standing and in compliance with the Companies Act.
  • Provided company secretarial and legal advisory services to Namibia’s Petroleum Training and Education Fund by amending the constitutional documents and ensuring that all relevant administrative functions are adhered to
  • Advised international oil company on how its corporate structure should be set up to be successfully considered for award of a petroleum exploration licence and thereafter incorporated the local external company in Namibia which was subsequently successfully considered for award of a petroleum exploration licence in Namibia, Orange Basin
  • Advised and forewarned client that in the absence of establishing an entity in Namibia, it will be difficult for client to obtain certain specified regulatory permits and approvals.
  • Advised IOC on the pros and cons applicable to registering an external company vis-à-vis a local subsidiary, as it relates to administrative considerations as well as tax implications
  • Regarding the lack of data protection laws in Namibia, advised Woodside Energy on how to go about applying for an exemption to ensure certain private information is not submitted to the regulator and advised what other constitutional provisions can be used to protect data privacy in Namibia.

Our experiences in Compliance and Due Diligence

  • Pursuant to Namibia’s local participation policy which advocates for the inclusion of local partners in Namibia’s upstream oil & gas industry, client identified and shortlisted several Namibian private sector companies for potential consideration as local partner, should Confidential Client be successfully considered for award of specific blocks and for farming into specific blocks. We conducted interviews with client. After the interview, we prepared a report highlighting SNC Incorporated’s observations and conclusions on the interviews conducted for Confidential Client to make a comprehensive conclusion. In the report we recommended in chronological order on who is high risk and who is low risk to ensure client’s reputation is protected.
  • SNC Incorporated was instructed to conduct due diligence on the chain of custody of PELXX. SNC Incorporated reviewed the Petroleum Agreements, Deed of Assignment, Novation and Amendment to the Petroleum Agreement and PEL, the Joint Operating Agreement, as well as the Deed of Assignment, Novation and Amendment to the Petroleum Agreement and assess whether any amendments made were in accordance with the express requirements in the Petroleum Agreement, and if not, advise on the implications if any and how it can be rectified as well as timeline thereof
  • Assist with the preparation of the Anti-Bribery Policy and the Business Code of Conduct applicable to Namibia and facilitate the process of onboarding a contractor or consultant by ensuring that there is a background check before any contract is entered into by and between an International Oil Company and a contractor. If high risk partner and politically affiliated with decision powers on International Oil Company activities, we advise against partnership
  • Further prepare various legal opinions and memorandums to consider whether certain acts that client intends to take is in contravention with Anti-Corruption Act 8 of 2003 (Namibia), The Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act S.C 1998, c.34 (CFPOA), The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Current through Pub. L. 105-366 (November 10, 1998) as of July 22, 2004, Statute: United Kingdom Bribery Act of 2010.

Our experiences in Claims, Dispute Resolution and Litigation

  • Litigating on behalf of the the national roads company in respect of construction of Trunk Road9/1. From Windhoek To Hosea Kutako International Airport.
  • SNC Advised on enforcement of arbitral awards from foreign judgements and seek to enforce in Namibia
  • Litigating on behalf of International Oil Company and the National Oil Company in an urgent application brought by Environmental Pressure groups to stop oil & gas operations. Defended the suit on behalf of International Oil Company successfully

Our experiences in Compliance (Criminal Investigations)

  • SNC Incorporated conducted various investigations on behalf of confidential clients by doing background checks, conducted interviews with well known respected sources from Namibian Police, Prosecutor General’s Office, Anti-Corruption Commission, Investigative Journalist as well as the Business Registration Authority in respect of potential local partners and subcontractors and based on our knowledge drew various inferences to advise client on the risk, if any for

Our experiences in Offshore Oil and Gas Contracting and Regulatory

  • Drafting, negotiating and reviewing of various upstream agreements such as Purchase and Sale of Asset Agreement, Royalty Agreement, Data Use licensing Agreement, Farm Out Agreement, Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreements, Joint Operating Agreement, Petroleum Agreement, Surface Use Agreements and various other upstream agreement
  • Rendering regulatory advice on Labour Exemptions for continuous operations or operations conducted in excess of maximum working hours; Immigration Compliance; Affirmative Action Act Compliance
  • Advising on Industry Specific Permits applicable offshore, such as ECC, Drilling Permit, Import and Export Permit, Storage permit, Health, Safety and Environment regulations in Namibia, which apply to offshore installations, applicable drilling permits

Our experiences in Customs

  • Advised in detail on the procedure for importing an offshore rig and various oil & gas equipment and any costs associated with the importation of such a rig and oil & gas equipment on a temporary importation and permanent importation basis
  • Advise on relevant custom duties, import vat and whether there are any exemptions available and how to apply for exemptions and advising on which customs agents to utilize
  • Facilitated the application process for employment permits and work visas for and, facilitated meetings with the Immigration Selection Board for Confidential Client

Our experiences in Environmental Law

  • Advise on who bears the onus to apply for environmental clearance certificate and review various EIA’s and EMP’s to verify whether specific activities are foreshadowed in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and the Environmental Management Plan prepared by Operator and or whether client’s activities are foreshadowed.
  • Advise on the Environmental Clearance Certificate requirements, Drilling Permits, Oil Pollution Certificates, Waste Management Plan, Oil Spill and Fire Contingency Plan etc
  • Attended before environmental appeal tribunal on behalf of International Oil Company in respect of matters brought by NGO’s before the Environmental Appeal Tribunal and further advise and assist oil and gas companys on the consultation process of communities as prescribed in the Environmental Management Act and Regulations

Experience with Service Companies

  • Rendering legal Advise and Preparing Legal Opinions on the regulatory framework governing Offshore oil and gas operations
  • Rendering legal Advise and Preparing Legal Opinions Corporate tax, VAT, exporting and
    excise matters
  • Environmental social governance
  • Rendering legal Advise and Preparing Legal Opinions Local Content Requirements
  • Advise on employment and Labour requirements
  • Advise on immigration, visa and work permits matters
  • Facilitation in securing applicable licences for the movement of explosives in Namibia
  • Facilitation in securing applicable licences for the movement of radioactive sources in Namibia
  • Licencing and Permitting of other dangerous goods. Ie.) Mineral oil, oil based mud
  • Licencing and permitting of Gun Loading Facility
  • Drafting and negotiating EPCI Contracts, Operation and Maintenance Contracts, FIDIC Contracts

Experience with Mining Companies

  • Mineral Rights Acquisition
  • Drafting and negotiating to conclusion transfer agreements for acquisition and transfer of Exclusive Prospecting Licences
  • Applying for transfer of Exclusive Prospecting Licenses
  • Environmental social governance / Social Responsibility obligations and community engagement requirements
  • Advising on the 15% ownership directive in Mining Licences
  • Advise on immigration, visa and work permits matters
  • Drafting and negotiating agreements for establishment of Joint Venture Entities and SPV
  • Reviewing, drafting and negotiation of Blasthole Drilling Service Agreements and Provision of Drilling Service Agreements;
  • Conducting due diligence on Exploration Prospecting Licences in Namibia;
  • Advise and interpreting salient aspects of the Company Act, Memorandum and Articles of Associations of companies and Non-Profit Organisations, Shareholders Agreements and the Share Transfer and Shareholders Agreement
  • Drafting and negotiating Surface Use Agreements
  • Litigation on behalf of Mining Companies
  • Conducting due diligence on target companies
  • Advise on regulatory requirements relating to ECC
  • Foreign Exchange Regulations

Work with Education Institutions, State-Owned Enterprises and Local Companies

  • Legal Due Diligence Assessments and advising on policy and law reforms
  • Rendering legal advice on corporate governance, institutional policies, contacts and the petroleum legal framework;
  • Rendering legal advise and preparing legal opinions on land acquisitions;
  • Litigation in the Namibian Higher and Lower Courts and dispute resolutions;
  • Monitoring regulatory and legal changes in the environment for purposes of advising the CEO to timeously make informed decisions and drafting and facilitating requests to government stakeholder as well as other salient stakeholders when required;
  • Applying for exemptions in accordance with the Labour Act for continuous operations and conduct investigations for purpose to determine whether prima facie basis is established to initiate disciplinary proceedings against an employee;
  • Attend to labour relations within the company and attending to the drafting and finalisation of the Disciplinary code and Procedure for client;
  • Drafting of Employment Agreements, Legal Advice on Employment, drafting company policies inclusive of, non-permanent employment policies, recruitment policy, business code of conduct, remuneration policy etc.;
  • Legal Opinion and labour advisory services on labour matters. This involved a discussion on the labour rights of employees with specific reference to; employment Agreements – requirements to conclude written employment agreements and the “standard” form of employment agreements; mandatory prescribed working hours and the exemptions thereof; requirements regarding the employment of certain minority groups;
  • Acting as Chairperson to preside over various Disciplinary Hearings for NIDA;
  • Chairing grievances hearing against senior manager at the Namibia Standards Institution (NSI).
  • Initiating and drawing up charges against officials, coaches on behalf of NFA
  • Representing clients at Ancillary Rights Commission

Our experiences in Corporate Finance

  • Preparing of Legal Opinion which addresses the commercial Viability of Client, being able to offer and close the following types of transactions with international customers and suppliers:
    • Factoring: contracts for the assignment of receivables from international debtors to Spanish customers (or subsidiaries of Country Y groups) and the need for notification in the country deriving from the purchase and Confirming or Reverse
    • Factoring: assignment agreements with international suppliers of receivables from customers.
  • Advising on foreign investment loss and when a certificate of status of investment is required. Facilitated financing between parent company and local private company (the subsidiary company established in Namibia). As per the arrangements between the parent company and a subsidiary company, the subsidiary company would obtain funds from the parent company which funds were utilised for the day-to-day operations in Namibia.
  • We facilitated the application, through an authorised dealer, for a foreign debt facility (based on current debt + future license commitments) and sought a waiver from maintaining a debt equity ratio of 3:1, which application was approved and waiver granted
  • advised an International Oil Company, a company listed on the TSX, in connection with the public offering of its shares in 2023 and 2024 and prepared title opinions as well as corporate opinions, which documents are necessary to provide assurance to the lender that the title is free from any encumbrances, liens, or other legal issues that could affect the property’s ownership and value and further that the company, as a corporate entity is in compliance with the relevant administrative requirements and thus in good standing

Our experiences in Banking and Finance

  • Facilitating a loan agreement between parent company and subsidiary company in compliance with banking and foreign exchange regulations
  • Advising on foreign currency payments received into Namibia
  • Advising on the options available for client to fund its Namibian entity
  • Advising on whether client is required to bring the revenue from the sales of oil into the country i.e., repatriate into Namibian currency
  • Rendering legal advisory services on the viability of Factoring (financial transaction and a type of debtor finance in Namibia).

Our experiences in Construction

  • SNC Incorporated advised the authority responsible for road maintenance and local construction companies on its various road construction projects in Namibia including drafting equipment lease agreements.
  • Reviewing FIDIC contracts
  • Advised onshore oil and gas company in respect of the provision by an engineering company for the construction of access roads and platforms for oil drilling works in the Kavango East area at various drilling locations (onshore project)

Our experiences in Country Special Risk

  • Advised on the types of sanctions imposed on South Sudan by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), advising how the sanctions affect the establishment of a foreign company in South Sudan, how do the sanctions affect the payment obligations by client towards the Government of South Sudan and whether any payments will be considered contrary to the Sanctions Against Persons Contributing To The Conflict In South Sudan.
  • Preparing a Country Risk Report on Namibia for onshore oil company

Our experiences in Contracts (including EPCI, Charter, Operation etc)

  • Attend to advising and/or drafting, negotiating and reviewing of various agreements which inter alia include the Joint Operating Agreement, Farm-out Agreement, Purchase and Sale of Asset Agreement, Service Level Agreements, Construction Equipment Lease Agreement.
  • Drafting and negotiation to full conclusion of an agreement between international oil company and engineering company for the provision of engineering & supervision services for the construction of access roads and platforms for oil drilling works.
  • Drafting EPCI Contracts, Operation and Maintenance Contract and negotiating to conclusion FIDIC Contracts), Employment Agreements, Service Level Agreements, Consultancy Agreements, Borehole Construction and Installation Agreements, Master Service Agreement, Labour Hire Agreements.

Our experiences in Data Privacy

  • Advised on whether Namibia has passed any data protection and privacy laws and If so providing a brief summary on such laws and if not what laws or articles are in place to protect data and privacy

Our experiences in Insurances and Intellectual Property

  • Render advise on insurance requirements for vessels in Namibia and advise on the legal of intellectual property clausesand based on our knowledge drew various inferences to advise client on the risk, if any for
Astrid Chombo

Astrid Chombo

Administrative Assistant
Bachelors in Marketing (Namibia)
Bachelor of Public Governance (Honours) (Namibia)

Content pending…

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)

Content pending…

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.