Namibia’s rapid ascent as one of Africa’s most promising petroleum frontiers will be in sharp focus at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025: Invest in African Energies, with Special Advisor and Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit for the Office of the Presidency, Kornelia Shilunga, confirmed to speak at the event. Her participation marks a pivotal moment for Namibia’s oil and gas journey, as the country transitions from exploration successes to building the governance structures that will shape long-term development.
Namibia has emerged at the center of global upstream discussions following a series of discoveries by majors including TotalEnergies, Shell and Galp, positioning the country as a future energy powerhouse. Recent estimates place Namibia’s reserves at approximately 11 billion barrels of oil and 2.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, while drilling campaigns have already seen dozens of offshore and onshore wells completed. In response to this momentum, the Namibian Presidency has taken direct control of petroleum governance, creating the Upstream Petroleum Unit and tasking Shilunga with overseeing the design of regulatory frameworks, fiscal regimes and licensing processes that will attract international investment while ensuring national development.
The Upstream Petroleum Unit has emphasized that Namibia’s strategy is about more than hydrocarbons alone, with a mandate to align petroleum development with broader social objectives such as youth empowerment and skills development, ensuring that oil and gas serve as a springboard for inclusive growth. In recent months, the unit has initiated a review of existing petroleum legislation to strengthen Namibia’s global competitiveness, while advancing policies that prioritize job creation, local participation and long-term national benefit.
“Namibia is sending a clear message that it intends to get this right from the beginning. By restructuring its regulations and focusing on youth empowerment, the country is setting a new benchmark for emerging producers. At AEW, we are excited to host leaders who are not only committed to attracting investment but also ensuring that energy projects leave a legacy for their people,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber.
Namibia’s strong presence at AEW 2025 underscores the event’s role as a platform for Africa’s newest producers to define their vision for energy-driven transformation. Discussions are expected to highlight how Namibia intends to balance investor certainty with local benefits, outline the sequencing of upcoming licensing rounds, and explore how petroleum development will be integrated into broader infrastructure and industrialization objectives.