Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2026 starts with focus on local participation
Namibia’s emerging oil and gas industry is under the spotlight this week as industry stakeholders gather in Windhoek to discuss how the country can turn its petroleum potential into tangible economic opportunities for Namibians
The fourth Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition (NOGC) 2026 is taking place at the Mercure Hotel in Windhoek from 18–20 August under the theme, “From Decision to Dividend: Making Namibia’s Oil Work for Namibians.”
The conference kicked off on Tuesday with a Local Content Masterclass Day, following pre-conference engagements on Monday, including the Namibia Roadshow and Press Briefing. The programme brings together government, industry, investors, businesses, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders as Namibia moves closer to developing its emerging oil and gas resources.
Among the companies participating in the event is Solewant Group, which recently unveiled a new 11-product range of industrial coatings and paints.
Local participation is a major focus of this year’s NOGC. The programme includes local content discussions, supplier engagement and a Local Content Pitching Session hosted by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), giving Namibian-owned businesses an opportunity to showcase their products and services to operators, EPC contractors, financiers, investors and other industry players.
The conference is also placing emphasis on skills development and creating opportunities for young Namibians. A dedicated Future Generations session will focus on youth empowerment through skills development, mentorship and engagement with the industry.
The main strategic and technical conference programme begins on Wednesday, 19 August, with government and industry leaders expected to discuss Namibia’s energy vision, policy environment and strategic partnerships.
The programme includes an executive panel on moving “From Discovery to Development”, bringing together representatives from government and international operators to consider the next phase of Namibia’s upstream petroleum industry.
The conference comes as Namibia seeks to move beyond the excitement surrounding its offshore oil discoveries and towards the development of an industry capable of generating jobs, investment, skills and opportunities across the wider economy.
For businesses operating outside the traditional oil and gas sector, this transition could create opportunities across areas such as logistics, engineering, construction, manufacturing, procurement and other support services required by major energy projects.
The organisers have also expanded the NOGC exhibition this year in response to growing demand, creating more space for established companies, SMEs, entrepreneurs and new market entrants to showcase products and services and connect with potential partners and customers.
Hosted by the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN) in partnership with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, with strategic partners including NAMCOR, Rhino Resources and SNC Incorporated, NOGC 2026 is positioning itself as a platform not only for conversations about Namibia’s oil and gas future, but for building the businesses, skills and partnerships needed to participate in it.
