The Youth in Oil and Gas Summit (YIOGS) is returning for the second edition, slated for 25-26 July 2025 at the Walvis Bay Town Hall in Erongo after successfully hosting about 600 youths last year at Narraville in the same town.

This year’s event aims to bring together close to 1000 young professionals and industry leaders under the theme Drilling into the Future: Empowering Youth in Namibia’s Oil and Gas Revolution.

Founded by Justina Erastus, a passionate advocate for youth empowerment in the energy sector, the summit’s vision is to position African youth as leaders at the forefront of the global energy transition, leveraging Namibia’s rapidly expanding prominence in the oil, gas and renewable energy sectors.

“The goal is to ensure that young people are not only participants but active leaders and innovators in Namibia’s energy revolution,” said Erastus.

The team is set on ensuring that Namibian youth who were previously underprivileged get exposed and realise a clear path to profitable employment in the oil and gas industry.

YIOGS is a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering young professionals in Africa’s oil and gas sector through education, mentorship and strategic networking. Founded in 2024, it has become a cornerstone for youth inclusion in energy discussions and innovation.

Erastus said this year’s theme reflects the initiative’s determination to move from conversation to construction, and from awareness to active participation.

“The summit, which has been successfully endorsed by Africa Energy Week (AEW) and Namcor, seeks to bring together 800+ young professionals, industry leaders, policymakers, and educators for two days of high-level discussions and exclusive networking opportunities,” she said.

This year’s edition promises to build on its groundbreaking debut, offering a vibrant platform for dialogue, education and strategic collaboration, empowering youth through networking opportunities and meaningful engagement with industry leaders.

-psiririka@nepc.com.na