Windhoek will host the fourth edition of the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition (NOGC) from 18 to 20 August 2026, with organisers expanding the programme to drive local participation, skills development and industry collaboration across Namibia’s growing energy sector.
The conference, hosted by the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN) in partnership with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, carries the theme “From Decision to Dividend: Making Namibia’s Oil Work for Namibians.” Strategic partners include the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR), SNC Incorporated and Rhino Resources, and the event is officially endorsed by Namibia’s Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.
This year’s edition introduces a pre-event golf tournament on 17 August, ahead of pre-conference masterclasses and engagement sessions on 18 August covering local participation, entrepreneurship and workforce development. NIPDB will host Local Content Pitching Sessions, giving Namibian businesses the chance to showcase their offerings within the oil and gas value chain. A speed networking session and a Future Generations session focused on youth skills development are also on the agenda. 
The main conference runs from 19 to 20 August. Day one, themed “Industry in Action: Operators, Independents and Finance,” will centre on project development, investment opportunities and upstream collaboration. Day two, “SMEs, Finance, Servicing and Critical Infrastructure to Develop a Sustainable Energy Mix,” will address local business participation, infrastructure development and long-term energy sustainability. A parallel two-day technical conference will feature presentations on emerging trends, innovation and policy developments, alongside new NIPDB-hosted supplier workshops.
Speaking at the launch, EAN Chairperson Jason Kasuto said the conference was designed to move beyond discussion into action, particularly for young Namibians outside the capital.
“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,” Kasuto said.
He added that the ambition was to build a homegrown workforce rather than import one.
“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,” he said.
NAMCOR Communications Specialist Utaara Hoveka pointed to the scale of the 2025 edition as a benchmark. “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,” Hoveka said.
EAN Chief Executive Cons Karamata said the sector’s success would ultimately be judged on human impact rather than production figures.
“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,” Karamata stated.
NOGC 2026 is expected to attract close to 2,000 delegates from government, industry, academia, civil society and the international energy community.
Delegate registration and programme details are available at www.namibiaoilandgasconf.com.
