By: Peneyambeko Jonas
The 4th Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition in August will be held with a renewed focus on ensuring that the country’s emerging petroleum industry delivers tangible benefits for ordinary Namibians.
The conference will take place in Windhoek from 18 to 20 August 2026 under the theme ‘From Decision to Dividend: Making Namibia’s Oil Work for Namibians.’
Organisers say the event will place greater emphasis on local participation, youth empowerment, skills development and business opportunities across the energy value chain.
Hosted by the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), in partnership with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the conference comes as Namibia’s offshore oil discoveries continue to attract global attention and investment.
The event is expected to attract close to 2,000 delegates from government, industry, investors, academia and civil society.
Speaking at the launch, EAN Chairperson Jason Kasuto said the country’s focus must now shift from exploration successes to ensuring broad-based economic benefits.
“Namibia’s energy future will be shaped through collaboration. It requires partnerships between local and international stakeholders, established operators and emerging enterprises, policymakers and communities,” said Kasuto.
He added that the conference theme reflects a deliberate move towards measuring success through the benefits delivered to citizens rather than discoveries alone.
Kasuto also highlighted the need to build a skilled local workforce capable of supporting the industry’s growth.
“History will ask not how much oil we produced, but what we did with it. Did we make this oil work for our people? We will not import a workforce; we will build one here at home,” he remarked.
The expanded programme will include local content masterclasses, supplier workshops, business pitching sessions, speed networking events and a dedicated “Future Generations” platform aimed at connecting young Namibians to opportunities in the sector.
Representing the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR), Communications and Public Relations Specialist Utaara Hoveka reflected on the success of the 2025 conference, which attracted nearly 2,000 delegates and 73 exhibitors.
According to Hoveka, previous discussions focused heavily on procurement opportunities for local businesses, supplier development, skills transfer and workforce development policies designed to increase Namibian participation in the petroleum industry.
That said, EAN Chief Executive Officer Cons Karamata stressed that the ultimate measure of success would be the impact of the sector on people’s lives.
“The success of this sector cannot be measured solely by discoveries, investment announcements or production figures. It will be measured by opportunities created for young Namibians, the growth of local businesses and stronger institutions and communities,” said Karamata.
The conference comes at a critical time for Namibia’s energy sector, with offshore discoveries by international operators positioning the country among Africa’s most promising petroleum frontiers.
Industry stakeholders continue to emphasise that local content, skills development and infrastructure investment will be essential if Namibia is to translate resource wealth into long-term economic transformation.
Organisers add that the conference will serve as a platform to strengthen partnerships and ensure that Namibia’s oil and gas resources contribute to sustainable and inclusive national development.
