4th Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition concludes with a focus on making Namibia’s oil work for Namibians
Business Reporter NAMIBIA’S oil and gas sector took centre stage as the 4th edition of the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference (NOGC) 2026 brought together government leaders, international and local energy companies, investors, financial institutions, service providers, entrepreneurs, academics, students and civil society to discuss the country’s emerging petroleum sector and its contribution to long-term ... The post 4th Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition concludes with a focus on making
NAMIBIA’S oil and gas sector took centre stage as the 4th edition of the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference (NOGC) 2026 brought together government leaders, international and local energy companies, investors, financial institutions, service providers, entrepreneurs, academics, students and civil society to discuss the country’s emerging petroleum sector and its contribution to long-term national development.
Held at a pivotal moment for Namibia’s energy industry, following recent offshore discoveries and growing international interest, the three-day conference welcomed over 1,500 delegates, more than 120 speakers, and over 70 exhibitors from Namibia and around the world.
Hosted by the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN) in partnership with the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), with strategic partners the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) and SNC Incorporated, and officially endorsed by the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, the conference was held under the theme “From Decision to Dividend: Making Namibia’s Oil Work for Namibians.”
Guided by the ethos “Locally Rooted. Globally Connected. Open to All,” NOGC 2026 focused on Namibia’s transition from exploration to development, with discussions centred on investment, local content, enterprise development, skills, infrastructure, financing and the future of the country’s energy sector.
A key highlight of the programme was the Local Content Masterclass, which provided Namibian businesses and policymakers with practical strategies to increase local participation in the oil and gas industry.
This was complemented by the NIPDB Local Content Pitching Session, where Namibian entrepreneurs showcased their capabilities, solutions and partnership opportunities to industry leaders and investors.
The conference also featured Speed Networking, creating opportunities for delegates to establish strategic connections and explore potential partnerships, while the Future Generations Session, building on the previous edition, brought together young professionals, students, industry leaders, educators and policymakers to explore skills development, innovation, entrepreneurship and career pathways within the energy sector.
Speaking on behalf of Her Excellency Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, the Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, called on Namibians to actively participate in the development of the country’s emerging oil and gas industry.
“Discovery is not the destination. A resource beneath our waters becomes a national success only when it is responsibly developed and translated into tangible improvements in the lives of our people. It must become employment for Namibians, opportunities for our enterprises, skills for our young people, technology for our institutions, infrastructure for our economy, revenues for national development, and savings for future generations. This is why the theme of this conference is particularly appropriate,” she noted.
Her Excellency Witbooi further spoke about the importance of maintaining a stable investment environment and aligning the development of the oil and gas industry with Namibia’s national development priorities.
“The Government will continue to provide a stable and credible investment environment. Our political stability, constitutional democracy, independent judiciary, and commitment to the rule of law remain important foundations for investment. We must demonstrate that Namibia can be both investment-friendly and institutionally firm, both commercially competitive and protective of the public interest. Our Sixth National Development Plan, NDP6, places economic growth, transformation, and resilience at the centre of Namibia’s development agenda. Within the oil and gas focus area, NDP6 envisages the development of an oil and gas industry that contributes to Namibia’s socio-economic development and sets 2030 outcomes for the emergence of domestic oil production. It also identifies stronger legal and policy frameworks, sustainable field development, infrastructure and investment growth, and skills development and innovation as important strategies,” she stated.
Furthermore, Kornelia Shilunga, Special Advisor and Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President of Namibia, highlighted the importance of looking beyond first oil and ensuring that Namibia’s petroleum resources deliver long-term benefits through job creation.
“As we look towards first oil, we must also look beyond first oil.
“The first barrel will be an important milestone, but it cannot be a destination. The real dividend must be reflected in jobs that are created, strong and viable businesses, improved infrastructure, technology transfer, skills development, increased government revenues, industrial growth, and improved opportunities for future generations. We must als
