Algeria: Arkab Engages in Discussions with Namibia’s Vice President to Enhance Bilateral Cooperation
ALGIERS, September 5, 2025 – Algerian Minister of State and Minister of Energy, Mines, and Renewable Energies, Mohamed Arkab, met on Friday in Algiers with Lucia Witbooi, the Vice President of the Republic of Namibia. She is visiting Algeria to participate in the 4th edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025), as outlined in a communiqué from the ministry.
The meeting included key figures such as the Special Advisor to the President of Namibia on Energy and Mines, the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Trade of Namibia, Rachid Hachichi, CEO of Sonatrach Group, Samir Bekhti, President of the National Agency for the Valorization of Hydrocarbon Resources (ALNAFT), and other officials from both nations.
This encounter served as a platform for deepening consultations and exchanging perspectives on enhancing bilateral cooperation between Algeria and Namibia, particularly in the energy sector, covering the entire hydrocarbons and renewable energies value chain, according to the statement.
During the discussions, both parties commended the strong relations between their countries and expressed a mutual desire to elevate these ties into a partnership grounded in concrete projects and joint action programs aimed at fostering economic integration and sustainable development across the continent.
They also explored avenues for expanding collaboration in electricity production, transportation, and distribution, as well as the development, management, and maintenance of electrical networks, which includes solar photovoltaic energy initiatives.
The importance of exchanging knowledge and expertise in areas such as organization, management, legislation, training, and conducting studies related to the oil and gas industry was also emphasized, as noted by the same source.
In this context, Arkab highlighted “the new dynamic characterizing Algeria’s relations with its African counterparts,” underscoring “Algeria’s commitment to an energy policy founded on South-South partnerships and the enhancement of Sonatrach and Sonelgaz’s presence on the continental stage, in alignment with regional commitments and Algeria’s developmental objectives, as directed by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.”
He further pointed out Algeria’s significant contributions to training African experts through its specialized institutes in the energy and mining sectors, according to the same source.
Additionally, both parties discussed Algeria’s expertise in hydrocarbon exploration and production, gas refining, and the transportation of natural gas and liquefied natural gas, along with its regulatory experience in these areas.
In this regard, Arkab reiterated Algeria’s readiness to support Namibia through training, the transfer of expertise, and technical know-how.
For her part, the Vice President of Namibia expressed gratitude for Algeria’s experience in managing the hydrocarbon sector, which she described as a “model.” She conveyed Namibia’s eagerness to leverage this expertise to advance its oil and gas industry and expand energy utilization in support of its national economy.
She also highlighted her country’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with Algerian companies, particularly Sonatrach, to enhance the entire hydrocarbon value chain, the statement concluded.
