Energy professionals urged to upskill
STAFF REPORTER
The president of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), Shakwa Nyambe, has encouraged Namibians and other African energy professionals to take advantage of the upcoming AIEN International Oil & Gas Contracts and Negotiations Course, scheduled from 9 to 13 February 2026 in Cairo, Egypt.
As Namibia and several African countries position themselves as emerging energy producers, Nyambe said local professionals must be adequately equipped to engage effectively in complex contract negotiations and evolving regulatory environments.
Against this backdrop, the need for strong local and regional capacity in contract negotiation, project structuring and regulatory engagement has never been greater. As Namibia transitions from discovery to execution, professionals in the sector must be able to engage meaningfully with international oil and gas agreements that support project viability and national interests.
The five-day AIEN course is widely regarded as the premier global training programme for energy professionals. It is designed for both new entrants and experienced practitioners and is delivered from a practical perspective by seasoned industry experts, including Harry Sullivan, Jennifer Josefson, Andrew Derman and Kimberly Reeder.
Participants will gain in-depth exposure to key upstream and midstream issues, including the international energy industry landscape, confidentiality and bidding agreements, anti-bribery, corruption and sanctions regimes, international dispute resolution, service and granting instruments, joint operating agreements, participation through farm-in and farm-out arrangements, sale and purchase agreements, unitisation, decommissioning, crude oil sales and lifting agreements, gas sales, balancing and transportation, LNG fundamentals, stabilisation and sovereign immunity, as well as the implementation of new energy solutions.
Nyambe specifically encouraged Namibians and Africans working in legal, commercial, regulatory, policy and technical roles within the energy sector, including those at the National Oil Company of Namibia (NAMCOR), to enrol in the course.
“Developing local expertise is essential to ensuring that African countries are well positioned to negotiate balanced, sustainable and commercially sound agreements as major projects in the Orange Basin move closer to execution,” Nyambe said.
Beyond technical training, the Cairo course will also provide participants with valuable opportunities to network with international peers and industry experts, further strengthening Africa’s capacity to participate confidently and competently in the global energy industry.
The president of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), Shakwa Nyambe, has encouraged Namibians and other African energy professionals to take advantage of the upcoming AIEN International Oil & Gas Contracts and Negotiations Course, scheduled from 9 to 13 February 2026 in Cairo, Egypt.
As Namibia and several African countries position themselves as emerging energy producers, Nyambe said local professionals must be adequately equipped to engage effectively in complex contract negotiations and evolving regulatory environments.
Against this backdrop, the need for strong local and regional capacity in contract negotiation, project structuring and regulatory engagement has never been greater. As Namibia transitions from discovery to execution, professionals in the sector must be able to engage meaningfully with international oil and gas agreements that support project viability and national interests.
The five-day AIEN course is widely regarded as the premier global training programme for energy professionals. It is designed for both new entrants and experienced practitioners and is delivered from a practical perspective by seasoned industry experts, including Harry Sullivan, Jennifer Josefson, Andrew Derman and Kimberly Reeder.
Participants will gain in-depth exposure to key upstream and midstream issues, including the international energy industry landscape, confidentiality and bidding agreements, anti-bribery, corruption and sanctions regimes, international dispute resolution, service and granting instruments, joint operating agreements, participation through farm-in and farm-out arrangements, sale and purchase agreements, unitisation, decommissioning, crude oil sales and lifting agreements, gas sales, balancing and transportation, LNG fundamentals, stabilisation and sovereign immunity, as well as the implementation of new energy solutions.
Nyambe specifically encouraged Namibians and Africans working in legal, commercial, regulatory, policy and technical roles within the energy sector, including those at the National Oil Company of Namibia (NAMCOR), to enrol in the course.
“Developing local expertise is essential to ensuring that African countries are well positioned to negotiate balanced, sustainable and commercially sound agreements as major projects in the Orange Basin move closer to execution,” Nyambe said.
Beyond technical training, the Cairo course will also provide participants with valuable opportunities to network with international peers and industry experts, further strengthening Africa’s capacity to participate confidently and competently in the global energy industry.
