President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says stable energy supply is one of Namibia's key enablers and needs serious attention if the country is to tackle high unemployment. 

The President underscored this during a courtesy call by the founder of the Namibia International Energy Conference, Selma Shimutwikeni, at State House.

She says the government is looking to collaborate with the private sector in driving economic development and addressing unemployment in the country.

"But really, it's very good because energy is one of our biggest enablers that we need to pay serious attention to if we are to solve the problem of high unemployment in the country. There's nothing you can do without energy. So I'm really looking forward to the private sector playing their role."

Shimutwikeni briefed Nandi-Ndaitwah on the platform's evolution and its contributions to the industry over the past 14 years.

She says the conference was established to discuss, with strong emphasis on Namibia's leadership and preparedness in the global oil and gas industry.

"I believe that tomorrow belongs to those prepared for it today, especially with oil and gas being globally the nature of the industry. So I have had the support and endorsement of the ministry since its inception. Yeah. And, um, I've been bringing international, regional and local experts together to discuss the developments in the industry to facilitate investment and facilitation, as well as capacity building to make sure that we are ready when this time has arrived, which it has," stressed Shimutwikeni. 

The 2026 conference will run from 14 to 16 April in Windhoek under the theme 'The Road to First Oil & Beyond'.
Shimutwikeni calls this edition a milestone, as Namibia shifts from exploration to development, focusing on achieving first oil production.

"When I started the platform, there were only 120 people, and the theme was the road to discoveries and beyond. Okay. But now we have shifted gears because now the next objective is how do we get to first oil? First oil. Yes, and one of the key things about this industry is that it requires collaboration between the public and private sectors and between international companies."

The conference will also spotlight partnerships and investment, reflecting Namibia's strategic efforts to become a competitive energy destination.