The African Energy Chamber said it has noticed that collaboration is emerging as one of the defining forces shaping Namibia’s upstream trajectory, as first oil production is targeted for 2029. Therefore as the country advances to first oil, platforms such as the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) become very important to facilitate the deals and partnerships that power the country’s upstream development. Explaining the role of the Namibia International Energy Conference, the Chamber explained that as international players consolidate their Namibia portfolios, the 2026 conference emerges as a strategic platform for companies to connect with partners and advance strategic M&A deals. “More than a conference, the conference functions as an ecosystem for collaboration that will ultimately determine how quickly and sustainably the country reaches first oil. The conference is scheduled for 14 to 16 April in Windhoek.