The Namibia Oil & Gas Conference is hosted by the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), in partnership with the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation in strategic partnership with the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR) and SNC Incorporated and with the endorsement of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Namibia.

Conference-goers will enjoy two days of strategic discussions and get powerful insight from more than 50 national and international speakers. Several dedicated workshop sessions will be held before the conference to help further foster skills development and capacity building in the oil, gas and energy sectors.

Embracing the 2024 theme, “The Next Step Towards A Prosperous Oil And Gas Industry To Power Namibia’s Sustainable Future,” this event is the perfect platform for local and global investors to make influential networking connections, arrange partnerships, and sign lucrative deals.

We chatted to conference host Jason Kasuto, the Chairman of the Economic Association of Namibia, a leading think tank in the country and a catalyst for socioeconomic development. EAN provides public policy analysis and advisory services by bridging the gap between the private and public sector players by creating platforms for improved dialogue.

According to Kasuto, the NOGC is a must-attend event because of the emphasis placed on interactions between all participants at the event. He says, “We will ensure you have the best access to everyone who matters to your business. NOGC brings together key role players in Namibia and the international oil and gas value chain all under one roof. It provides a significant opportunity for organisations and individuals to have effective meetings throughout the event.”

Kasuto’s vision for the future of Namibia’s oil and gas industry over the next decade is wide-ranging. He says, “I have several points to make here,

• The oil discoveries are commercially actualised, according to the figures predicated.
• Namibia takes centre stage as an energy hub that fosters an enabling environment for the industry to participate and thrive.
• All economic outputs must be inclusive.
• Namibia needs to develop an in-country-value strategy with set targets that it actually achieves.
• We also need to achieve a level of industrialisation that creates a support base for other industries beyond oil & gas.

He shared some key investment opportunities for local and international investors in Namibia’s oil and gas sector. “Investment opportunities are wide-ranging, given the number of direct and indirect industries associated with the O&G industry. Over the next six years of exploration and thereafter production for +\-25 years. This presents opportunities to invest in much-needed infrastructure in-country to support the industry and that may require deeper pockets internationally. As for local investors, supporting the capacity building and participation of SMEs in the value chain is an investment that our local financiers should be positioning themselves for immediately. We need financiers with different risk appetites locally this requires traditional banks, development banks and private equity etc.

He explained how the spate of recent oil discoveries in Namibia will impact the local economy, saying, “During exploration, if we are to really ensure strong local content participation the skills transfer and local SME sector can stand to gain significantly. During this phase, there may not be a significant increase in the GDP but more inclusive growth. Should the infrastructure that’s required onshore be executed, these figures could be significant.

Kasuto also elaborated on the role that international collaborations play in the development of Namibia’s oil and gas industry saying, “As much as we have been exploring for years, and have few knowledgeable men and woman in the sector, it’s only through mutually beneficial collaborations with international partners, that we can avoid pitfalls of other nations and boost inclusive growth.”

For more information or to book your spot at the NOGC go to, www.namibiaoilandgasconf.com

Source: Known Magazine