By Staff Reporter
Preparations for the 2026 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference (NOGC) are gaining momentum as stakeholders position the event to help translate Namibia’s petroleum potential into investment, local business opportunities and broader economic growth.
The conference delegation recently held a high-level engagement with Special Advisor and Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President, Kornelia Shilunga, to discuss preparations for the fourth Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, scheduled for 18 to 20 August 2026 in Windhoek.
The delegation was led by Economic Association of Namibia (EAN) chairperson Jason Kasuto and included EAN chief executive officer Cons Karamata, as well as SNC Incorporated managing partner Shakwa Nyambe, a strategic partner of the conference.
The meeting formed part of ongoing stakeholder consultations aimed at aligning the conference with Namibia’s upstream petroleum priorities while strengthening collaboration between government, industry and investors.
The conference will focus on the country’s transition from major oil discoveries to value creation.
Discussions will centre on policy, investment, local content, infrastructure development and longterm economic transformation.
More than 1,400 delegates from over 35 countries are expected to attend, alongside 29 sponsors and 42 exhibitors, cementing the conference’s position as one of Namibia’s leading platforms for dialogue on the country’s energy future.
During the engagement, the delegation highlighted the participation of senior government leaders, international oil companies, global energy executives, investors and industry associations.
Shilunga welcomed the progress made in preparing for the conference and reaffirmed her participation. She stressed that collaboration between government, industry and strategic partners remains critical as Namibia develops its petroleum re- sources responsibly and inclusively.
She said the conference provides an important platform to bridge the information gap between industry and local businesses by facilitating discussions on supplier readiness, certification requirements and opportunities for greater local participation.
Shilunga also underscored the need to strengthen local enterprise development, saying many Namibian businesses are eager to participate in the oil and gas industry but often lack practical information on how to access available opportunities.
“There is a need to equip local businesses with a clearer understanding of the goods and services required by oil and gas operators, the certification and compliance standards expected by international companies, and the pathways to supplying offshore operations and vessels,” Shilunga said.
She added that empowering local enterprises to become competitive, investment-ready and capable of participating across the petroleum value chain remains essential to ensuring Namibians benefit from the sector.
Kasuto described the engagement with the Presidency as significant, saying it helps ensure the conference remains aligned with Namibia’s strategic objectives.
“The Namibia Oil and Gas Conference is one of the country’s premier platforms for dialogue on the oil and gas sector. We have placed significant emphasis on local participation, making it important to engage with the Office of the President to receive strategic guidance and ensure that the conference aligns with the national vision for the sector,” Kasuto said.
The conference aims to promote constructive dialogue, strategic partnerships and investment while supporting Namibia’s ambition to translate its petroleum potential into sustainable economic growth and broad-based national development.
