EAN gears up for oil conference

The second Namibia Oil and Gas Conference will be hosted from 20 to 22 August at Mercure Hotel in Windhoek, aiming to again unite industry leaders, policymakers and stakeholders to discuss the future of Namibia's oil and gas sector.

Hosted by the Economic Association of Namibia (EAN), the conference will focus on key issues such as sustainable development, investment opportunities and technological advancements in the industry. With an agenda that includes expert panels, keynote addresses and networking opportunities, the event promises to be an essential platform for shaping the strategic direction of Namibia's oil and gas landscape.

According to the EAN, the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference will delve deeper into the industry’s complexities, focusing on empowering Namibia to harness this sector’s full potential and focus on its economic growth. Themed 'The next steps towards a prosperous oil and gas industry', the conference will zero in on practical steps required for the country to translate the potential into sustained and inclusive economic development, with a focus on building strong institutional capacity for sector development and the promotion of local content.

“We want to unlock investment opportunities, but those investment opportunities must bring about inclusive economic growth. In the past, there were quite a few years in Namibia when we experienced economic growth; however, that economic growth was not inclusive. Namibia remains the second most unequal country in the world,” the EAN said.



Prosperity for all

Namibia Investment and Promotion Development Board CEO Nangula Uaandja said it was important for both the private and public sectors to engage freely.

“We want to drive an economy where the views of civil society, of the young, the academics, the public and private sector are included, and that is why this is an event of partnership," she said.

"Let us have a conversation where everyone is involved and make sure that all stakeholders have input on how we can make sure that prosperity is not only for a few, but for all of us as Namibians."

Uaandja added that it was incumbent on Namibians to have a serious conversation about the oil and gas sector to ensure everyone benefits.

“Oil and gas is one of our focus sectors. We need to focus on whether what we can extract will make it profitable and find our roles to play so that our resources become beneficial to Namibians. Let us have this conversation and, as Namibians, let us find our own place and our niche to make sure that we are not left behind. That is why we are participating in this conversation,” she said.