“Listen more than you speak, think before you act, and remember that even technical law is ultimately about people and progress.” -Esther Kiangi
Esther Kiangi is an admitted Legal Practitioner of the High Court of Namibia and a Senior Associate at SNC Incorporated, with a growing practice focused on energy, natural resources, corporate and commercial law. She also serves as the Legal Advisor to Triumphant College, where she provides legal advice to the institution and its management on corporate governance, employment and labour matters, regulatory compliance, contracts and other legal issues arising from the College’s operations and continued growth.
Much of Esther’s career has been shaped by Namibia’s developing energy sector. In her role at SNC Incorporated, she has advised international oil and gas companies, investors, financial institutions and service companies on matters ranging from petroleum licence acquisitions and farm-out transactions to foreign investment, exchange control, taxation, local content and regulatory compliance. A significant part of her practice involves structuring, drafting, reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts, including joint operating agreements, petroleum agreements, service agreements and other technical and transactional arrangements.
Her decision to specialise in energy law was deliberate. Early in her career, Esther was advised and thereafter recognised that Namibia’s natural resources sector was developing faster than the pool of specialised legal expertise available to support it. She therefore, went on to obtain an LL.M in Oil, Gas and Mining Law from Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom and has continued building her practice around understanding not only the law, but also the commercial realities behind major projects and investments.
Esther particularly enjoys the strategic side of legal practice. She believes good legal advice should go beyond identifying risk. It should help a client understand what that risk means for the business and provide a practical way forward. This approach has seen her work on complex cross-border transactions, legal due diligence exercises and regulatory matters where the law is still developing and solutions often require careful engagement with regulators, government institutions and other stakeholders.
As a Senior Associate at SNC Incorporated, Esther has further managed stakeholder engagement with government bodies and key industry players. Her role at Triumphant College gives her a different perspective on legal advisory work, requiring her to understand the institution as a whole and provide advice that supports both its day-to-day operations and its longer-term objectives. It is a role she values deeply, particularly because of her commitment to the College’s growth and to the opportunities that education creates for young people.
Her commitment to developing young people also extends into the energy sector. Esther serves on the Advisory Committee of the Namibian Youth Generation in Nuclear (NAMYGN) and has participated in industry platforms as a speaker, moderator and facilitator. Her professional interests increasingly extend to nuclear energy, local content and the legal and policy frameworks Namibia will require as its energy landscape evolves.
Esther sees her role as more than that of a lawyer brought in to interpret legislation or draft a contract. Whether advising an international investor, an energy company or an educational institution, she aims to understand the bigger objective, protect her client’s interests and find solutions that allow organisations to grow. Her ambition is to contribute meaningfully to the decisions, institutions and investments that will shape Namibia’s development, while helping create opportunities for the generation that will carry that development forward.
1. What ignited Esther’s passion for the legal profession, and what continues to make the practice of law a deeply fulfilling pursuit for her?
Esther’s interest in law was sparked early by the principles behind legal rules: how laws structure society and manage relationships. She recalls that watching courtroom debates and legal dramas showed her how law orders justice and governs business and education. As she studied law in the UK, she became fascinated by the “operation of law” itself, how statutes and cases create predictable frameworks for people to interact. This intellectual fascination with law’s systemic impact gave her a deep appreciation for legal reasoning and advocacy.
Her specialisation in the oil, gas and mining sector came later. After returning to Namibia, Esther saw that her country was on the verge of a petroleum boom. A senior judge she respected encouraged her to explore this field, noting the national need for expertise. Intrigued, Esther researched the sector and became inspired by what she found. She realised that advising on energy projects would allow her to work on complex commercial deals that can transform the economy. From the first contracts she studied, joint-venture agreements, financing deals and exploration licenses, she was captivated by the strategic challenge of structuring them. She never looked back. Today, she thrives on dissecting contracts and deal terms, negotiating terms that are in line with the clients’ needs, and helping to chart strategic directions for projects. The combination of high-stakes transactions and tangible societal impact continues to make energy law deeply fulfilling for her.
2. In Esther’s opinion, what qualities define a truly exceptional lawyer in today’s world?
Esther believes that the best lawyers first stay true to themselves. In a profession with so many styles, authenticity is key. A lawyer should build on their own skills, their talents in analysis, their natural way of communicating, rather than trying to mimic others. That personal stamp is what makes work distinctive and effective. Owing to the fact that law is so diverse, Esther points out that many strengths can shine. One lawyer may excel at detailed technical research, while another has a knack for clear writing or building consensus. An exceptional lawyer knows his or her strengths and applies them, notwithstanding the importance of remaining curious and committed to a desire to learn and grow.
Another critical quality is attentive listening. Esther often observes that many people are quick to give answers without fully understanding the question. In contrast, a top lawyer must be a careful listener. That means holding back immediate reactions and really absorbing what the client or colleague is saying. By asking clarifying questions and pausing to reflect, a lawyer can uncover the realissue. This detailed listening avoids misunderstandings and leads to more creative solutions. Esther emphasizes that clarity of thought follows clarity of comprehension.
Ethical reasoning and courage also stand out. An extraordinary lawyer uses logic, not just authority, to guide decisions. Rather than simply agreeing with an assumption or precedent, they step back and ask “why” and “how it fits our case.” They connect the facts to principles. Courage comes into play because they must sometimes challenge conventional thinking, or even advise a client that a hoped for outcome may be legally risky. In these moments, Esther recalls a piece of advice she shares: make the choice that you can defend intellectually and morally.
Esther’s vision is to help guide Namibia’s transition into an African energy hub. Namibia has world-class renewable resources and an emerging petroleum sector. She believes the country is growing from an “infancy” stage and has the potential to leap ahead. Esther would like to see major projects in green hydrogen, solar and wind power, nuclear, and gas exports take off within the next decade. Crucially, she focuses not just on technical projects but on the legal infrastructure behind them.
In practice, Esther has been part of advisory teams laying the groundwork for such projects. For example, she is currently involved in the development of the nuclear energy sector in her capacity as advisory board member of the Namibian Young Generation in Nuclear. The impact she hopes for is twofold: first, to diversify Namibia’s economy by supporting and advising on the legal infrastructure and strategies that businesses can adopt in a manner that is both successful and beneficial to the Namibian economy. Secondly, to add value to those that are least positioned to benefit.
Esther frames her next “groundbreaking” work as a systems project. Beyond the first big contracts, she wants to see Namibia’s laws and institutions evolve. That could involve designing transparent bid processes, and to encourage informed investment. She says this effort is not just about winning deals, but more importantly, about nation-building for a sustainable future.
4. Which legal minds and books have shaped or are shaping Esther’s thoughts and perspectives?
Esther draws inspiration from those who blend technical expertise with a vision of shared progress. One key influence is Farouk Al-Kasim. Though he was a petroleum geologist rather than a lawyer, his moral vision resonates deeply with her. Al-Kasim left Iraq and helped Norway set up its oil industry for public benefit. As a person, he is remembered for humility and ingenuity. For example, he once remarked that he “had lived the agonies of being a stooge of imperialism” after witnessing Iraqi oil wealth bypass the people. He insisted that simply replacing foreign oil companies with state companies would fail. Instead, he advocated “competition” between companies and a strong regulator to serve the nation. In his book Our Oil – The Man and the Challenges (co-written with Per Lars Tonstad, 2023), Al-Kasim elaborates these lessons and urges resource-rich countries to secure energy wealth “for the benefit of the country and its people”. Esther often cites his example of insisting on structured deals and emphasizing public interest.
Al-Kasim exemplifies the blend of professional skill and moral purpose that Esther admires. From Al-Kasim she learns how to navigate technical complexity with integrity. His example reminds her that there is more behind every deal or negotiation and that a lawyer’s wisdom is measured by how broadly others benefit, and by their ability to think and apply legal concepts and principles beyond what is typically expected to reach the heart of the matter.
5. What advice or guiding principles would Esther offer young legal professionals and advocates trying to find their place and purpose in the legal terrain?
Esther’s advice is unorthodox but cohesive with her earlier points. She urges young lawyers to treat their careers as a calling to serve, not just a job. One guiding principle she often cites comes from 1 Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace”. In practical terms, that means identifying your unique talents, whether it is analysis, drafting, or negotiation, and asking how those gifts can help people and communities. If your skill is clear communication, use it to make the law understandable to clients, and if it is technical savvy, use it to craft creative solutions in contracts. The idea is to connect personal passion with public purpose.
She also advises young lawyers to stay curious. The law constantly evolves, and no one ever knows everything. Esther encourages mentees to ask questions fearlessly, learn from each experience, and keep stretching into new areas. For example, she suggests volunteering for pro bono cases or interdisciplinary projects. These experiences may seem outside your comfort zone but often teach the most.
A final point she stresses is the importance of integrity. In deals and negotiations, especially in the high-stakes energy sector, it can be tempting to cut corners or prioritise winning. Esther counsels that real success comes from commitment and patience. She recalls that throughout her career, the opportunities she earned came through diligence and hard work.
Ultimately, Esther tells young professionals to be themselves, keep learning, and reason deliberately. Listen more than you speak, think before you act, and remember that even technical law is ultimately about people and progress. It is this blend of personal integrity and commitment to service that has been proven by the wisdom of leaders like Farouk A-Kasim that will set you apart as an exceptional lawyer.
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