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Youth in Oil and Gas Summit 2026 returns to Walvis Bay, next month with a sharp focus on who builds, finances and supplies the country’s new energy economy.
The third edition backed by government patronage, institutional endorsements and growing industry support. will be held under the theme: ‘From Discovery to Development: Talent, Capital and Local Content.’
According to the organisers, the Summit is no longer asking whether the oil and gas sector will materialise, it is asking who will build it. The stakes are real; Orange Basin has become one of the most closely watched deep-water frontiers in the world.
TotalEnergies is advancing the Venus development toward a Final Investment Decision. Galp’s Mopane discovery named 2025 Discovery of the Year by Wood Mackenzie — is progressing through appraisal. Chevron has confirmed exploration drilling in late 2026. BP has entered the Walvis Basin with a 60 percent operating interest across three new blocks.
In addition, the Cabinet has approved the country’s upstream local content policy in principle, and the Petroleum Exploration and Production Amendment Bill is before the National Assembly.
With the highest office endorsing the event, Kornelia Shilunga, Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Presidency is leading the development of upstream petroleum agenda and local content policy is part of the event organisers.
The 2026 edition has also secured endorsements from PETROFUND and NAMPOA, alongside long-standing Diamond Sponsor Walvis Bay Diving and Salvage, which has supported YIOGS since its first edition.
The Summit is further strengthened by a strategic partnership with the African Energy Chamber and a thought leadership partnership with the US Embassy, extending its platform for regional energy dialogue, youth development, supplier readiness and skills transfer.
Meanwhile the event has drawn interest from across the SADC region, reinforcing the wider significance of Namibia’s offshore discoveries for southern Africa’s energy and industrial landscape.
“Namibia’s oil and gas sector is no longer theoretical. It is happening,” said Justina Erastus, Convener and Founder of the Youth in Oil & Gas Summit.
“The infrastructure is being planned. The contracts are being scoped. The investment decisions are being made. The only question is whether young Namibians will be at the table or not. This Summit exists to make sure the answer is yes.”
YIOGS 2026 is expected to attract delegates from across government, industry, finance, education and regional energy ecosystems.
