Big oil and gas conference coming
The Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2025 was officially launched at Namcor's head office on Monday. The third edition of the annual event is set to take place from 12 to 15 August at the Mercure Hotel in the capital, and according to organisers, it promises to be bigger and better than ever.
“From exploration to action: Positioning Namibia as the next energy frontier,” is this year’s theme.
Endorsed by the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, the conference is organised by the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), the Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board (NIPDB), the Hanns Seidel Foundation, Namcor and SNC Incorporated.
EAN vice-chairperson Jesaya Hano-Oshike said that last year the conference boasted 52% growth over the previous year and a 40% increase in attendees. Already, for this year, the conference is expected to double in size, he said, based on eager participation and double the exhibition space provided by the use of a new venue hall.
To date, 1 012 delegates are expected to attend, compared to 958 in 2024, with 29 sponsors, 21 speakers and participants from 35 countries already secured two months ahead of the opening date.
“This is a testament to expanding interest in the conference," he said.
The planned local content supplier master class ahead of the event and a two-day technical conference coinciding with the rest of the programme, are specific draw-cards that he mentioned. “It is a deliberate effort to align industry growth with national development,” he said.
Since oil was discovered offshore a few years ago, the oil and gas sector has become a major driver of foreign direct investment into Namibia, according to Shakwa Nyambe, energy and natural resources lawyer and managing partner for SNC Incorporated.
'Tangible benefits'
“Banks are benefiting and some locals are being employed. With the incorporation of local content into procurement, there have been tangible benefits,” he said.
Nyambe added that Bank of Namibia statistics for the period 2021 to 2024 show that of the foreign direct investment inflow of N$114 billion, some N$58 billion came from the oil and gas industry. “The question is how do we seize this opportunity to ensure that the money remains and circulates within the country.
“More Namibians should participate and win contracts, get involved and form partnerships,” he said, adding that they need to start now and with the aid of Namibia’s local content policy, most of that money will remain in the country.
Forecast
Margareth Gustavo of the NIPDB said that significant economic development is forecast but that, “it takes a lot of preparation. How do we prepare? How do we come together as stakeholders to scale industries and develop new ones? The full value chain must be unpacked. These conversations are held at these conferences.”
Also present at the launch, was Dr Clemens von Doderer, resident representative for the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Namibia. “Rome was not built in a day,” he warned and that developing an oil and gas industry that will benefit Namibian in general is a “massive endeavour. Though challenging, it is an incredible opportunity, if we play our cards right,” he said.
“Namibia wants to leap-frog and learn from lessons of other countries,” he said, adding that the conference is an opportunity to bring expertise from around the world to Namibia in the hope that, “Namibia becomes the Norway of Africa. Norway has done some things right and provides an example of how to use oil and gas. It is our responsibility, all of us together, to make this a success,” he said.
Collective commitment
Representing Namcor, the national oil company spokesman Paulo Coelho said that the conference is a reaffirmation of the collective commitment to that success. He said turning discoveries into development is a personal issue for Namcor, which is proud to play a central role.
Coelho expects the conference to spark that commitment among Namibians in general, saying that oil and gas can help make Windhoek the next Dubai, “if we can manage it correctly. This can mean significant socio-economic transformation! Welcome to possibility."
“From exploration to action: Positioning Namibia as the next energy frontier,” is this year’s theme.
Endorsed by the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, the conference is organised by the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), the Namibia Investment Promotion Development Board (NIPDB), the Hanns Seidel Foundation, Namcor and SNC Incorporated.
EAN vice-chairperson Jesaya Hano-Oshike said that last year the conference boasted 52% growth over the previous year and a 40% increase in attendees. Already, for this year, the conference is expected to double in size, he said, based on eager participation and double the exhibition space provided by the use of a new venue hall.
To date, 1 012 delegates are expected to attend, compared to 958 in 2024, with 29 sponsors, 21 speakers and participants from 35 countries already secured two months ahead of the opening date.
“This is a testament to expanding interest in the conference," he said.
The planned local content supplier master class ahead of the event and a two-day technical conference coinciding with the rest of the programme, are specific draw-cards that he mentioned. “It is a deliberate effort to align industry growth with national development,” he said.
Since oil was discovered offshore a few years ago, the oil and gas sector has become a major driver of foreign direct investment into Namibia, according to Shakwa Nyambe, energy and natural resources lawyer and managing partner for SNC Incorporated.
'Tangible benefits'
“Banks are benefiting and some locals are being employed. With the incorporation of local content into procurement, there have been tangible benefits,” he said.
Nyambe added that Bank of Namibia statistics for the period 2021 to 2024 show that of the foreign direct investment inflow of N$114 billion, some N$58 billion came from the oil and gas industry. “The question is how do we seize this opportunity to ensure that the money remains and circulates within the country.
“More Namibians should participate and win contracts, get involved and form partnerships,” he said, adding that they need to start now and with the aid of Namibia’s local content policy, most of that money will remain in the country.
Forecast
Margareth Gustavo of the NIPDB said that significant economic development is forecast but that, “it takes a lot of preparation. How do we prepare? How do we come together as stakeholders to scale industries and develop new ones? The full value chain must be unpacked. These conversations are held at these conferences.”
Also present at the launch, was Dr Clemens von Doderer, resident representative for the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Namibia. “Rome was not built in a day,” he warned and that developing an oil and gas industry that will benefit Namibian in general is a “massive endeavour. Though challenging, it is an incredible opportunity, if we play our cards right,” he said.
“Namibia wants to leap-frog and learn from lessons of other countries,” he said, adding that the conference is an opportunity to bring expertise from around the world to Namibia in the hope that, “Namibia becomes the Norway of Africa. Norway has done some things right and provides an example of how to use oil and gas. It is our responsibility, all of us together, to make this a success,” he said.
Collective commitment
Representing Namcor, the national oil company spokesman Paulo Coelho said that the conference is a reaffirmation of the collective commitment to that success. He said turning discoveries into development is a personal issue for Namcor, which is proud to play a central role.
Coelho expects the conference to spark that commitment among Namibians in general, saying that oil and gas can help make Windhoek the next Dubai, “if we can manage it correctly. This can mean significant socio-economic transformation! Welcome to possibility."
