The Office of the President’s Upstream Petroleum Unit has called for greater local business participation in Namibia’s emerging oil and gas industry, urging entrepreneurs to prepare for opportunities across the petroleum value chain ahead of the 2026 Namibia Oil & Gas Conference.
The call came during a meeting between the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN) and the Upstream Petroleum Unit as organisers sought to align the conference with Namibia’s petroleum development priorities and local content agenda.
The delegation, led by EAN Chairperson Jason Kasuto, met with Kornelia Shilunga, Special Advisor and Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit, as preparations continue for the fourth Namibia Oil & Gas Conference, scheduled for 18 to 20 August in Windhoek.
Shilunga said Namibia’s oil and gas industry will only deliver broad-based economic benefits if local businesses are equipped to compete for procurement opportunities.
“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,” she said.
She said while Namibian entrepreneurs are eager to enter the sector, many still lack a clear understanding of the standards required to supply international oil and gas operators.
“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 said supplier readiness, certification, compliance and investment preparedness would determine whether Namibian businesses secure a meaningful share of future petroleum contracts.
Kasuto said the engagement with the Presidency was aimed at ensuring the conference supports the country’s long-term petroleum development strategy while providing practical outcomes for local enterprises.
“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,” he said.
Held under the theme “From Decision to Dividend: Making Namibia’s Oil Work for Namibians,” this year’s conference will focus on translating Namibia’s offshore discoveries into economic value through investment, local content, infrastructure development and industrialisation.
More than 1,400 delegates from over 35 countries, including government officials, international oil companies, investors and service providers, are expected to attend the event alongside 29 sponsors and 42 exhibitors.
The meeting was also attended by EAN Chief Executive Officer Cons Karamata and Shakwa Nyambe, Managing Partner of SNC Incorporated, a strategic partner of the conference, who briefed the Upstream Petroleum Unit on the conference programme and international participation.
