Over 1,000 delegates gather in Windhoek to chart the future of the country’s emerging oil and gas sector
Future
Over 1,000 delegates gather in Windhoek to chart the future of the country's emerging oil and gas sector
The third edition of the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference concluded successfully this week after bringing together 1,161 delegates and 73 exhibitors at the Mercure Hotel in Windhoek. Running from August 12-17, 2025, under the theme “From Exploration to Action: Positioning Namibia as the Next Energy Frontier,” the conference highlighted the country’s rapid emergence as a significant player in the global energy landscape.
Youth at the Center of Energy Future
The conference opened with a strong emphasis on youth empowerment through Future Generations Masterclasses, organized in partnership with the Namibia Energy Youth Forum. Over 60 young professionals participated in the program, which provided insights into career opportunities and direct engagement with industry veterans, reflecting growing interest among Namibia’s younger generation in the country’s energy future.
Vision Beyond Resource Extraction
Speaking on behalf of Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Special Advisor and Head of Upstream Petroleum Unit, Kornelia Shilunga delivered a keynote address that emphasized transforming oil and gas discoveries into meaningful socio-economic benefits.
“The true measure of our success will not be in the number of barrels extracted, but in the number of lives uplifted,” Shilunga remarked, outlining how the sector must create decent jobs, build domestic capacity through skills transfer, stimulate economic diversification, and generate revenues for current and future generations.
The keynote aligned with Vision 2023 and NDP6 priorities, positioning oil and gas as a catalyst for economic transformation rather than a crutch for dependency.
Leadership Calls for Responsible Resource Management
Mines mnister Natangwe Ithete, challenged attendees to ensure Namibia becomes a model for responsible resource management. “We must take a stand to manage, guide our offshore discovery jealously, and be a model country that translates oil and gas discovery into a catalyst for peace, unity and prosperity,” he stated.
International Recognition
Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), emphasized Namibia’s potential to become a clean energy hub. He noted that recent offshore discoveries have positioned Namibia as “one of Africa’s most promising energy frontiers and one of the most promising oil and gas producers in the future.”
Hamel connected resource development to national sovereignty, stating that “the right to develop natural resources is inseparable from the right to chart one’s own destiny.”
Building Sustainable Foundations
Jason Kasuto, Chairman of the Economic Association of Namibia and Managing Director of Monasa Advisory & Associates, addressed concerns about the pace of policy development. He argued that Namibia is deliberately building solid foundations for “sustainable and inclusive growth” of the industry, drawing parallels to the country’s successful transition to stable democracy after independence in 1990.
Industry Engagement and Opportunities
The conference featured strategic panel discussions on topics including the current oil and gas landscape in Namibia, financing mechanisms, and critical infrastructure development for a sustainable energy mix. A dedicated business-to-business service facilitated connections between investors and companies, offering matchmaking services to help identify potential partners and investment opportunities. Leonard Neshuku from Barloworld, Namibia’s official Caterpillar dealer, highlighted the networking value: “Since last year, we’ve built strong networks with stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, which have been invaluable to our growth. It’s a dynamic and fast-expanding industry with significant opportunities for both established players and newcomers.”
Looking Forward
As Namibia’s oil and gas sector continues to evolve, the conference served as a crucial platform for strategic dialogue and collaboration. The event’s success, demonstrated by record attendance and international participation, signals growing confidence in Namibia’s potential to transform recent offshore discoveries into long-term economic prosperity while maintaining environmental stewardship and social responsibility. The next conference is already generating interest, with industry participants like Barloworld considering sponsorship opportunities, indicating sustained momentum in the sector’s development.
Bitly: //q.my.na/9XA7
Youth at the Center of Energy Future
The conference opened with a strong emphasis on youth empowerment through Future Generations Masterclasses, organized in partnership with the Namibia Energy Youth Forum. Over 60 young professionals participated in the program, which provided insights into career opportunities and direct engagement with industry veterans, reflecting growing interest among Namibia’s younger generation in the country’s energy future.
Vision Beyond Resource Extraction
Speaking on behalf of Her Excellency Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Special Advisor and Head of Upstream Petroleum Unit, Kornelia Shilunga delivered a keynote address that emphasized transforming oil and gas discoveries into meaningful socio-economic benefits.
“The true measure of our success will not be in the number of barrels extracted, but in the number of lives uplifted,” Shilunga remarked, outlining how the sector must create decent jobs, build domestic capacity through skills transfer, stimulate economic diversification, and generate revenues for current and future generations.
The keynote aligned with Vision 2023 and NDP6 priorities, positioning oil and gas as a catalyst for economic transformation rather than a crutch for dependency.
Leadership Calls for Responsible Resource Management
Mines mnister Natangwe Ithete, challenged attendees to ensure Namibia becomes a model for responsible resource management. “We must take a stand to manage, guide our offshore discovery jealously, and be a model country that translates oil and gas discovery into a catalyst for peace, unity and prosperity,” he stated.
International Recognition
Mohamed Hamel, Secretary General of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), emphasized Namibia’s potential to become a clean energy hub. He noted that recent offshore discoveries have positioned Namibia as “one of Africa’s most promising energy frontiers and one of the most promising oil and gas producers in the future.”
Hamel connected resource development to national sovereignty, stating that “the right to develop natural resources is inseparable from the right to chart one’s own destiny.”
Building Sustainable Foundations
Jason Kasuto, Chairman of the Economic Association of Namibia and Managing Director of Monasa Advisory & Associates, addressed concerns about the pace of policy development. He argued that Namibia is deliberately building solid foundations for “sustainable and inclusive growth” of the industry, drawing parallels to the country’s successful transition to stable democracy after independence in 1990.
Industry Engagement and Opportunities
The conference featured strategic panel discussions on topics including the current oil and gas landscape in Namibia, financing mechanisms, and critical infrastructure development for a sustainable energy mix. A dedicated business-to-business service facilitated connections between investors and companies, offering matchmaking services to help identify potential partners and investment opportunities. Leonard Neshuku from Barloworld, Namibia’s official Caterpillar dealer, highlighted the networking value: “Since last year, we’ve built strong networks with stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, which have been invaluable to our growth. It’s a dynamic and fast-expanding industry with significant opportunities for both established players and newcomers.”
Looking Forward
As Namibia’s oil and gas sector continues to evolve, the conference served as a crucial platform for strategic dialogue and collaboration. The event’s success, demonstrated by record attendance and international participation, signals growing confidence in Namibia’s potential to transform recent offshore discoveries into long-term economic prosperity while maintaining environmental stewardship and social responsibility. The next conference is already generating interest, with industry participants like Barloworld considering sponsorship opportunities, indicating sustained momentum in the sector’s development.
Bitly: //q.my.na/9XA7
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