WINDHOEK, Namibia: Namibia’s fourth Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition has entered its second day with calls for the country’s emerging petroleum industry to create jobs, develop local businesses and deliver long term benefits for its people.
The conference is being held in Windhoek from 18 to 20 August 2026 under the theme “From Decision to Dividend: Making Namibia’s Oil Work for Namibians.”
The event has brought together government officials, industry leaders, local businesses, exhibitors, young professionals and other stakeholders to discuss investment, skills development and local participation in the oil and gas sector. 
The conference is intended to move the conversation beyond oil discoveries and focus on how Namibia can turn its petroleum resources into broad economic opportunities.
NAMCOR Managing Director Victoria Sibeya said Namibia’s oil and gas potential should result in jobs, skills, local enterprise development, technology transfer, infrastructure and shared prosperity.
The conference theme reflects the country’s desire to ensure that petroleum resources benefit Namibians rather than remaining limited to extraction and export.
Representing the Chief Executive Officer of Petrofund Namibia during an executive session, Shoki Kandjimi called for strategic partnerships to build capacity in the upstream petroleum industry.
“Today, I was privileged to represent the Petrofund Namibia CEO at the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference in Windhoek by delivering her speech during the Executive session. Our speech was mostly centred on our call to strategic partners to work with us to ensure we jointly build capacity within the upstream petroleum industry.
“Now, more than ever we need meaningful partnerships that will enable our people and businesses get necessary exposure to oil and gas operations and contracting opportunities.
“We thank the NOC team for creating this platform.”
Witbooi calls for lasting benefits
Vice President Lucia Witbooi officially opened the conference on behalf of President Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah, who was unable to attend because of other national duties.
Witbooi said Namibia had reached an important stage in its economic development following recent oil discoveries.
She called for the country to focus on converting its petroleum resources into long term national benefits instead of concentrating only on the excitement surrounding exploration and discoveries.
“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.”
The conference is aligned with Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan, which identifies natural resources as a foundation for economic diversification, industrialisation, value addition and job creation.
The plan seeks to prevent the country from simply exporting raw materials without developing industries and businesses around them.
Local firms urged to participate
Julia Muetudhana, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, said the oil and gas industry would create opportunities beyond drilling and exploration companies.
She said businesses involved in transport, logistics, catering, construction, safety, legal services and other sectors could also benefit from the developing industry.
“Let this conference move us beyond discussion and towards practical commitments. Let us build an industry that is globally competitive, environmentally responsible and maximises the opportunities it creates.”
Discussions during the second day continued to focus on partnerships, investment, local content, skills development and the participation of Namibian businesses and young professionals.
