Summit attracts over 700 attendees

From discovery to development
Exploring how Namibia’s energy discoveries can be transformed into jobs, skills development and opportunities.
Nee-Thanks Uupindi
  • 1 Week Ago

More than 700 delegates gathered in Walvis Bay for the third edition of the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit (YIOGS) 2026, held under the theme “From Discovery to Development: Talent, Capital and Local Content.”

Over three days, young Namibians engaged with industry leaders, investors and institutions to explore how the country’s oil and gas discoveries can translate into opportunities for employment, skills development and enterprise growth.

In a speech delivered at the summit, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said Namibia’s oil and gas discoveries must be converted into tangible benefits for its people. “Namibia stands at an important moment in our national development journey. The discoveries in our oil and gas sector have created renewed hope for our economy. However, this hope must be translated into skills, jobs, enterprise development and real opportunities for Namibians,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah t added that investing in young people would strengthen the economy and contribute to poverty reduction through job creation. “When we empower young Namibians, we strengthen the foundation of our economy, and we are taking our people out of poverty by creating jobs,” she said.

Founder and convener of the summit, Justina Erastus, said the initiative was established to ensure that young Namibians are actively involved in the country’s emerging energy sector. “Three years ago, this summit was only an idea. I did not begin with every answer. I did not have every connection or every resource. I began with one conviction: Namibia’s young people must not arrive late to their own national opportunity.”

Also addressing delegates, Namcor Executive for Upstream Development and Production Mtundeni Ndafyaalako said Namibia had entered a new phase following major offshore discoveries. “When we look back at the journey since 2022, Namibia’s story was about discovery. We made world-class offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin, discoveries that put our country on the global energy map,” he said.

For summit attendee Taneal Goagoses, the event highlighted the importance of developing local skills alongside Namibia’s natural resources. “As someone passionate about storytelling and communications within the industry, it was a privilege to capture and share the voices of those shaping our future,” she said.

“The summit reminded us that developing local talent is just as important as developing our natural resources.”

The summit continues to position youth participation, skills development and local content as key elements in ensuring that Namibia’s emerging oil and gas sector delivers lasting economic benefits.