By: Mathias Hangala
ReconAfrica has announced the discovery of hydrocarbons at its recently drilled well in the Kavango West Region.
The revelation was made by the company’s president, Brian Reinsborough, who said the well was drilled “efficiently and safely,” yielding promising early results.
ReconAfrica started with its exploration well drilling in Namibia’s Kavango West Region, targeting the Otavi carbonate reservoir within the Damara Fold Belt in July, completing it in December 2024.
The late-2025 drilling campaign confirmed the discovery of oil and gas, as well as significant quanitities of hydrocarbon. Conducted near the Rundu area, the operation represents progress in unlocking Namibia’s onshore energy potential.
Reinsborough shared the update following a briefing with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House last week, where the company outlined the latest developments in its ongoing exploration programme.
The meeting, which included partners BW Energy and Amcor, focused on preliminary findings from the newly completed well. Reinsborough noted that the team plans to return to the site soon to conduct production tests aimed at determining the potential oil and gas output.
“It’s early days, but we like what we see in this particular well. Our plan is to come back in a few months to perform a production test to see how much oil and gas we can produce from this accumulation. We’re very happy with the results so far,” said Reinsborough.
He added that the Canadian oil and gas exploration company intends to move forward “methodically,” guided by the upcoming test results.
“We want to conduct a production test in the first quarter. The results will dictate our next steps. We would like to drill another well thereafter, potentially conduct seismic studies, and hopefully reach a commercial decision point by the end of next year,” he noted.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to working closely with the private sector to drive economic development.
“On Monday, I commissioned three task forces, including one on economic recovery. I want the public and private sectors to work as a team to address the challenges before us. I see state-owned enterprises represented in the room, and you are welcome,” said the President.
Hydrocarbons and organic compounds are made up of hydrogen and carbon, forming the foundation of fuels such as oil and natural gas, and are essential for producing diesel, plastics, synthetic rubber, fibres, solvents, lubricants, dyes, and pharmaceuticals.
They underpin many everyday materials and industrial processes.
According to experts, Namibia’s emerging oil and gas sector holds significant economic potential, including job creation for both skilled and semi-skilled workers, increased government revenue through taxes and royalties, growth of local supply chains, industrialisation, increased foreign investment, and a boost to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
If managed with strong governance and strategic investment in skills and infrastructure, the sector could help create a diversified, knowledge-based economy.
ReconAfrica is currently exploring oil and natural gas prospects in northeast Namibia and northwest Botswana.
