Uche Cecil Izuora
The 4th edition of the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition (NOGC) returns to Windhoek with an expanded programme focused on collaboration, local opportunity and Namibia’s evolving energy sector.
The event is scheduled to hold from 18–20 August 2026.
Hosted by the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), in partnership with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), with strategic partners National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR), SNC Incorporated and Rhino Resources, the conference is officially endorsed by Namibia’s Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.
Under the theme, “From Decision to Dividend: Making Namibia’s Oil Work for Namibians”, the conference serves as a platform for inclusion, partnership and sustainable economic development.
The 2026 edition features an expanded exhibition and enhanced networking, including a new pre-event golf tournament on 17 August to strengthen collaboration across the sector.
Pre-conference masterclasses and engagement sessions on 18 August will focus on local participation, entrepreneurship and workforce development. Highlights include local content panel discussions and Local Content Pitching Sessions hosted by NIPDB, showcasing innovative Namibian businesses seeking opportunities in the oil and gas value chain.
The pre-conference programme will also include a speed networking session and a dedicated Future Generations session focused on youth skills development and industry engagement.
The main strategic and technical conference programmes, running from 19–20 August, will feature keynote addresses from government, industry and sector leaders, followed by discussions on Namibia’s evolving energy landscape.
Day one, themed “Industry in Action: Operators, Independents and Finance”, will focus on project development, investment opportunities and upstream collaboration. Day two, “SMEs, Finance, Servicing and Critical Infrastructure to Develop a Sustainable Energy Mix”, will explore local business participation, infrastructure development and long-term energy sustainability.
Alongside the strategic programme, the two-day technical conference will feature presentations on emerging trends, innovation and policy developments. New for 2026, NIPDB-hosted supplier workshops will create opportunities for engagement between operators, suppliers and entrepreneurs.
Speaking at the launch, Jason Kasuto, Chairperson of the EAN and Managing Director of Monasa Advisories and Associates, said: “The conference will once again provide a platform for discussion. Namibia’s energy future will be shaped through collaboration between local and international stakeholders, established operators, emerging enterprises, policymakers and communities. Above all, it requires a shared commitment to sustainable, inclusive growth.”
“It is my pleasure to officially unveil the theme of the fourth Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, which is ‘From Decision to Dividend: Making Namibia’s Oil Work for Namibians’. This theme reflects a deliberate shift in focus,” he noted.
Kasuto further elaborated on the theme and its importance for Namibia’s youth. “The conference will be the catalyst for taking real training capacity to where the work is and to the coastal towns. This way our young people are equipped, on their own doorstep, with the technical skills this industry demands, rather than travelling only to the capital or watching the jobs go to others.”
He added, “History will ask not how much oil we produced but what we did with it. Did we make this oil work for our people? Together with our operators, training institutions and international partners, we are setting a very bold target. We will not import a workforce, which is very important for the skills it brings, but we will build one here at home. Whether it’s in Lüderitz or Walvis Bay, we are going to build it here.”
Utaara Hoveka, Communications & Public Relations Specialist at National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR), reflected on the 2025 conference.
“The 2025 Namibia Oil and Gas Conference was held in Windhoek under the theme ‘From Exploration to Action: Positioning Namibia as the Next Frontier’. It brought together government, industry and civil society to discuss the next phase of Namibia’s petroleum industry. We had 73 exhibition stands and close to 2,000 delegates. The conference also explored how petroleum development can support broader industrial growth, ensuring the benefits of the sector are shared across Namibia.”
Cons Karamata, CEO of the EAN, spoke on the importance of the theme. “Its success cannot be measured solely by discoveries, investment announcements or production figures. It will ultimately be measured by its impact on people’s lives. It will be measured by opportunities for young Namibians, the growth of local businesses and entrepreneurs, and stronger skills, institutions and communities,” he stated.
NOGC 2026 is expected to attract close to 2,000 delegates from government, industry, academia, civil society and the international energy community.
Through its focus on inclusion, workforce development, local procurement and dialogue, NOGC 2026 aims to ensure Namibia’s energy growth supports long-term prosperity and sustainable economic transformation.