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The Namibia Oil and Gas officially launched the 3rd edition of the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference scheduled to take place from 12 to 15 August, in Windhoek at the Mercure Hotel.

Endorsed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the event will be hosted by the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), in partnership with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), Hanns Seidel Foundation, the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR), and SNC Incorporated.

The conference held under the theme “From Exploration to Action: Positioning Namibia As The Next Energy Frontier, aims to identify actionable strategies for unlocking the full economic potential of oil and gas for Namibia.

According to the EAN Vice-Chairperson, Jesaya Hano Oshike, 1,012 delegates are expected to attend this year, as well as 29 sponsors and partners, 42 exhibitors, 35 countries, and 71 speakers, underscoring the platform’s influence and the interest it has garnered across borders.

The event will provide opportunities for networking and discussions, such as a pre-conference local content supplier masterclass and a two-day technical conference, which will feature insights from industry leaders and policymakers on emerging trends and innovations.

It plans to accommodate new technologies, solutions, and services in oil and gas and energy sectors and allow a matchmaking mentor and mentee platform for the youth in the industry to take full advantage, providing exposure to experts in this field.

The event will also include the NIPDP business matchmaking initiative, which connects investors and companies through tailored matchmaking services to promote investment and collaboration within the country’s energy industry.

“This third edition is therefore not just a continuation of past dialogues. It is a deliberate effort to align industry growth with national development,” Hanno-Oshike emphasised.

Reflecting on last year’s conference, NIPDB Executive Director for Strategy and Branding, Margareth Gustavo, said “The discussions on infrastructure readiness, financing, mega-projects and local content really resonated deeply with our mandate as the National Investment Promotion Agency. At NIPDB we are tasked not just with bringing capital into the country, but ensuring that it stays, it grows and it benefits all Namibians.”

“So if an investment opportunity does not create employment and does not contribute to the Namibian economy, that’s not the type of investment that we are looking for. And so looking ahead, our strategic focus for this year’s edition of the conference and beyond revolves around three core pillars,” she added.

These pillars include unlocking investment-ready supply chain opportunities, deepening local content and industrial participation, and fostering youth employment through skills development.

Gustavo further affirmed the NIPDB’s commitment to ensure that the energy sector delivers not just in GDP terms, but in the tangible improvement of livelihoods, the strengthening of institutions, and the diversification of our industrial base.

“The future of Namibia’s oil and gas industry is not offshore. It is here onshore, in our people, in our businesses and in our bold ambitions as a country,” she remarked.

More information and updates are available on the official Namibia Oil and Gas website https://namibiaoilandgas.com/