The Namibia Youth Energy Forum, aimed at empowering young people in the energy sector, says it has received an official endorsement from NAMCOR.

NYEF is a youth-led organisation dedicated to empowering young people in the energy sector of Namibia.

In an interview with nbc News, the Interim Executive Director of NYEF, Saarti Shikongo, said the endorsement marks a significant milestone for the forum as it underlines its dedication, hard work, and commitment to empowering young people in the energy sector.

“This endorsement is a dedication and testimony to our hard work and commitment to empowering the youth of Namibia, and it affirms our reputation as a reputable and dependent forum or active forum in the energy sector.“

The forum was established with the purpose of creating opportunities for the youth to actively participate in shaping the country's energy sector.

“In order to provide a platform where the youth are seen as active participants in the sector, we want to connect the youth to stakeholders in the energy sector. This will provide opportunities that will help them connect to these stakeholders, and they can help guide and support future endeavours as well as be active participants in the sector because currently we are underrepresented, so we just want to be part of the sector.”

She pointed out that as Namibia's energy sector takes centre stage in the world, there are many opportunities that the youth can take up and maximise, hence the need for a forum such as the NYEF.

“The forum is for the youth by the youth, and we will be hosting more initiatives that aim to empower the youth not just in the oil and gas sector but in all parts of the energy sector, so we are hosting our hydrogen event. We have initiatives that will cater to entrepreneur opportunities, mentorship opportunities, and a conference at the end of the year, as we acknowledge that, like the recent energy conference we had, it was not a platform that every youth could attend because of the cost enhancement. We will host one end of the year for the youth.”

The forum is expected to host a green hydrogen dialogue on May 18.