Oil and gas conference set for August
Up to 3 300 delegates and more than 1 000 international visitors are expected in the capital for the fourth Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, scheduled for 18 to 20 August 2026 at the Mercure Hotel in Windhoek.
The Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), in partnership with the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), Namcor, Rhino Resources and SNC Incorporated, will again host the event focused on Namibia’s emerging oil industry.
Jason Kasuto, chairperson of the EAN, says the question of oil in Namibia is no longer whether the country will produce it, but whether Namibians will share in its dividends.
He says this year’s conference comes at a significant moment, as anticipation builds for a final investment decision on the Venus oilfield development and other key national decisions remain pending, including amendments to the Petroleum Act and approval of the local content policy.
“History will not ask how much oil was found, but what we did with it and whether we made our oil work for our people,” he says.
He hopes the conference will address how to ensure oil opportunities benefit Namibians, how to equip young people, and how to achieve long-term transformation and shared growth.
Making it work for Namibians
This year’s theme is “From Decision to Dividend: Making Namibia’s Oil Work for Namibians”.
Kasuto says the accompanying exhibition, which is open to the public, reflects ambitions for cooperation, partnership and inclusive national growth. He says the true measure of oil success will be whether it translates into jobs, skills development, enterprise growth and a long-term dividend for citizens.
Meanwhile, the EAN has launched the Namibia Business Readiness Index (NBRI) to assess the ability of Namibian entities to secure and deliver work in the oil and gas sector. Kasuto says the results will be presented in full at the conference later this year.
Other highlights include a pre-event golf tournament on 17 August, pre-conference masterclasses, speed networking sessions, and a dedicated “Future Generations” session aimed at empowering young Namibians.
On 19 and 20 August, the daily themes will be “Industry in Action: Operators, Independents and Finance” and “SMEs, Finance, Servicing and Critical Infrastructure to Develop a Sustainable Energy Mix” respectively. The programme will include presentations from industry leaders, policymakers and researchers on emerging trends, technological innovation and policy developments.
Supplier workshops will be hosted by the NIPDB. Senior manager Ndapewa Hangula says the board will work with small businesses and local project owners to connect them with local and international investors and partners. She says dialogue must be accessible, while standards in the oil and gas sector remain non-negotiable.
Equipping the youth
“This year’s conference will be the catalyst for taking real training capacity to where the work will be and to towns along our coast, so that our young people are equipped, on their own doorstep, with the technical skills this industry demands,” Kasuto says.
He says another goal is to send up to 2 000 young Namibians to leading institutions abroad to gain skills before returning to contribute to the sector once production begins.
Access for students will be facilitated, he adds.
Namcor spokesman Paulo Coelho says first oil is expected in March 2029, depending on final investment decisions and other factors.
Shakwa Nyambe of SNC Incorporated says the conference is timely and has committed his firm to bringing institutions from Nigeria, as well as the Africa Local Content Organisation, local entrepreneurs and oil companies to discuss local content.
“I am calling on companies to come and join us at the conference,” he says.
Kasuto says businesses can participate for about N$5 000, which includes access to a dedicated application to facilitate meetings.
