As at 2026-10-15 TotalEnergies had not announced a final investment decision on Venus, and Mopane's potential decision is 2028, so first oil is still years away. Contractors who settle tax, permits and local content now will be ready when contracts are awarded.
Where do the projects stand?
TotalEnergies' Venus discovery in Block 2913B was announced in February 2022. On 2026-08-23 The Namibian reported TotalEnergies Namibia saying the decision must be taken before 2027, with engineering done and the development plan complete. Offshore Magazine reported on 2026-08-13 that fiscal negotiations with the government are the remaining step, and that production could start in 2030. At Mopane, World Oil reported on 2026-09-03 that TotalEnergies had completed its entry as operator of PEL83, plans a three well appraisal campaign in the second half of 2026 and is working toward a potential final investment decision in 2028.
What tax does a contractor trigger on day one?
A Namibian resident that pays a management fee, consultancy fee, director's fee or entertainment fee to a non resident must withhold tax. Section 35A, as amended in 2016, sets the rate at 10% for management and consultancy fees and 25% for director's and entertainment fees. NamRA's guidance says the tax and return are due within 20 days after the end of the month of withholding. Late payment carries a penalty of 10% of the tax for each month or part of a month, capped at the tax, plus interest at 20% a year (section 35A(10) to (14)). The payer carries the exposure, so the first task is to classify each service in each foreign contract before the first invoice is paid.
For the licence holder, the Petroleum (Taxation) Act levies petroleum income tax at 35% of taxable income (sections 5 and 6). The 2026/27 Budget announced amendments to this Act, so we confirm the rate before any model is finalised.
What about rotational workers?
Offshore and site crews rotate, and each person needs lawful status for the work they do. The regulations provide a short term work visa covering up to 6 months of work, with a government fee of N$1,600 per visa of up to 90 days, and an employment permit at N$2,600 per year for longer work. The employment permit directives also state that an applicant without legal status must remain outside Namibia until the permit is issued.
What should contractors expect on local content?
The Namibian reported on 2026-09-03 that Cabinet had approved a new local content policy, naming the Upstream Petroleum Unit as the regulator to coordinate, implement, monitor and enforce it, including compliance and reporting. The same report notes the Unit was established by a petroleum amendment bill that has not yet passed Parliament. We have not read the policy text, so supplier requirements are not verified.
Andersen view
We would build three things now: a withholding tax classification of every foreign service line, a crew status register matching each rotation to a permit or visa, and a supplier file ready for a local content request.
Our position is that waiting for the final investment decision is the expensive option: once the award lands, every contractor needs the same BIPA, NamRA and permit documents at once.
Frequently asked questions
Does withholding tax apply to every foreign invoice?
Not to every invoice. The rule applies to the fee types listed in section 35A; interest, royalties and shareholders' tax have their own rates. A foreign company doing business in Namibia, including through a branch, is a resident person for section 35A, so payments to its Namibian operation may fall outside the withholding. We check each contractor's registration before the first payment.
Who is the local content regulator?
Reporting on 2026-09-03 names the Upstream Petroleum Unit under the policy approved by Cabinet.
When should foreign crews be registered?
As early as the schedule allows. A permit application needs a 7 day advert, certified copies under 6 months old and a set of employer documents, so a mobilisation date inside 4 months is already tight. A typical employment permit takes 9 to 16 weeks, and that is not guaranteed.
Tell us which Orange Basin package you are bidding or have won, and Andersen in Namibia will map the withholding tax, permit and company registration steps to your contract and schedule. Contact Andersen in Namibia: WhatsApp +264 81 315 7942, info@na.andersen.com, +264 61 402520 or na.andersen.com.
