President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will open the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) 2026 in Windhoek this month, as the country enters a decisive phase in its push towards first oil.
The gathering comes amid mounting pressure to convert a string of major offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin into bankable projects, jobs and state revenue.
More than 1,000 delegates, including global oil majors, investors and policymakers, are expected to attend, with the focus shifting firmly from exploration success to execution.
NIEC convenor Ndapwilapo Selma Shimutwikeni said the industry has moved beyond discovery and now faces the harder task of delivery.
“This is no longer about potential. The focus is on how Namibia turns its resource base into tangible economic value,” she said.
The conference will centre on project development, infrastructure readiness, regulatory alignment and investment across the energy value chain, as government and industry work to avoid delays that have stalled projects in other frontier markets.
A key issue will be how Namibia balances investor expectations with domestic priorities, including local participation, skills development and long-term value retention.
“If well managed, Namibia’s energy opportunity can be transformative. But it requires coordination and a deliberate approach to ensure value is created locally,” Shimutwikeni said.
The stakes are rising as the country positions itself as one of the world’s most promising new oil frontiers, with increasing global interest placing pressure on authorities to provide policy clarity and execution certainty.
Beyond first oil, discussions will also examine how hydrocarbon revenues can be channelled into broader economic sectors such as tourism, agriculture and fisheries, while maintaining momentum in renewable energy development.
NIEC has expanded sharply alongside the sector’s growth, from just over 120 participants at its launch in 2012 to more than 1,000 expected this year, reflecting Namibia’s rapid emergence on the global energy map.
With timelines tightening and investor scrutiny intensifying, the conference is set to test whether Namibia can move from discovery to delivery without losing pace.
