The 4th Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition (NOGC) 2026 concluded in Windhoek with a clear message: Namibia’s petroleum opportunity must translate into jobs, skills, businesses, investment and long-term national value.
Held under the theme “From Decision to Dividend: Making Namibia’s Oil Work for Namibians,” the three-day conference brought together more than 1,500 delegates, over 120 speakers and more than 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, the conference was officially endorsed by the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.
Discussions reflected Namibia’s transition from exploration towards development, with local content, enterprise participation, skills, infrastructure, financing and investment emerging as central priorities.
Speaking on behalf of Her Excellency Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, Her Excellency Lucia Witbooi, Vice President of the Republic of Namibia, said the country’s resources would only become a national success if they delivered tangible benefits.
“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.
Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Hon. Modestus Amutse emphasised the need to prepare the country for production and expand Namibian participation across the value chain.
“Our strategic plan for 2026 to 2030 carries one organising idea, which is to move this country from exploration to readiness, so that Namibia is ready onshore when production begins offshore. Namibia expects Namibian employment to be maximised, Namibian suppliers prioritised, skills and technology transferred, and meaningful Namibian participation, ownership and financing across the value chain. Fiscal certainty is a stable and transparent framework for petroleum revenues. Namibia does not move the goalposts. To our international partners: local content, properly done, is not a tax on your investment. An industry surrounded by capable Namibian suppliers, skilled Namibian workers and invested Namibian communities is an industry with social licence, political stability and a future measured in generations. That is what the policy builds, and my ministry will implement it with you, not against you. I am happy to state that our local banks have informed me that they are ready to receive bankable proposals from the oil and gas sector for their consideration,” he noted.
Jason Kasuto, Chairperson of the Economic Association of Namibia and Managing Director of Monasa Advisory & Associates, reinforced the focus on ensuring that Namibia’s resources deliver tangible benefits for its people.
“Oil is not the point; oil is actually the how. Our people are the why.”
The programme moved beyond policy discussion into practical participation. The Local Content Masterclass gave Namibian businesses and policymakers strategies to increase local participation, while the NIPDB Local Content Pitching Session gave entrepreneurs a platform to present their capabilities and partnership opportunities to industry leaders and investors. Supplier workshops also focused on helping domestic businesses meet international industry standards.
Closing discussions reinforced the need for collaboration between government, industry, investors and local businesses as Namibia prepares for the next phase of its petroleum development.
NOGC 2026 concluded with a renewed focus on ensuring that Namibia is not only recognised as an attractive global energy destination, but is equipped to turn its petroleum resources into sustainable prosperity for Namibians.
