The Economic Association of Namibia (EAN) and its partners have engaged the Office of the President’s Upstream Petroleum Unit ahead of the 2026 Namibia Oil & Gas Conference, with discussions focusing on aligning the event with Namibia’s petroleum development priorities and increasing local business participation in the emerging sector.
The delegation, led by EAN Chairperson Jason Kasuto, met with Kornelia Shilunga, Special Advisor and Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit, on 21 July 2026, as preparations continue for the fourth Namibia Oil & Gas Conference, scheduled to take place in Windhoek from 18 to 20 August 2026.
During the engagement, the delegation highlighted the planned participation of government representatives, international oil companies, energy executives, investors and industry associations, while seeking strategic guidance to ensure the conference programme remains aligned with national objectives.
Shilunga confirmed her attendance at the conference and said continued collaboration between government, industry and strategic partners would be critical as Namibia advances the development of its petroleum resources.
“The conference presents an important platform to bridge the information gap between industry and local businesses by facilitating practical discussions on supplier readiness, certification requirements and opportunities for greater local participation,” Shilunga said.
She added that local enterprise development must remain central to Namibia’s oil and gas ambitions, highlighting the need for businesses to understand supply requirements, certification standards and opportunities across the petroleum value chain.
“Namibian entrepreneurs are eager to participate in the sector but often lack practical information on how to access opportunities within the industry. 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 local businesses would need to become more competitive, investment-ready and capable of participating across the petroleum value chain.
Kasuto said the engagement with the Upstream Petroleum Unit was intended to ensure the conference remains aligned with Namibia’s strategic direction for the oil and gas industry.
“The Namibia Oil & Gas Conference is one of the country’s premier platforms for dialogue on the oil and gas sector. The scale of the conference reflects the growing interest in Namibia’s energy industry. 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 comes as Namibia advances preparations for the development of its petroleum resources, with stakeholders expected to discuss investment opportunities, supplier development and mechanisms to increase domestic participation in the sector.
The engagement was also attended by EAN Chief Executive Officer Cons Karamata and Shakwa Nyambe, Managing Partner of SNC Incorporated, a strategic partner of the conference. The meeting provided an opportunity to update the Upstream Petroleum Unit on the conference programme, international participation and the key issues expected to shape discussions.
The 2026 conference will be held under the theme “From Decision to Dividend: Making Namibia’s Oil Work for Namibians” and will focus on Namibia’s transition from petroleum discoveries to value creation. Discussions are expected to cover policy, investment, local content, infrastructure development and economic transformation.
The conference is expected to attract more than 1,400 delegates from over 35 countries, alongside 29 sponsors and 42 exhibitors, positioning it as a key platform for government, industry, investors and development partners to discuss the future of Namibia’s petroleum sector.
