The president of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), Shakwa Nyambe, has encouraged Namibians and other African energy professionals to take advantage of the upcoming AIEN International Oil & Gas Contracts and Negotiations Course. The five-day course will take place from 9 to 13 February 2026 in Cairo, Egypt.
Nyambe said that, as Namibia and several African countries position themselves as emerging energy producers, it is imperative that local professionals are well equipped to engage effectively in complex contract negotiations and regulatory environments.
“Against this backdrop, the need for strong local and regional capacity in contract negotiation, project structuring, and regulatory engagement has never been greater. As Namibia moves from discovery to execution, professionals involved in the sector must be equipped to engage meaningfully with international oil and gas agreements that support and encourage project viability,” he said.
The AIEN International Oil & Gas Contracts and Negotiations Course is regarded as the premier global training programme for energy professionals. It is designed for both new entrants and experienced practitioners and is taught from a practical perspective by highly experienced professionals, including Harry Sullivan, Jennifer Josefson, Andrew Derman, and Kimberly Reeder. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of key upstream and midstream issues, including the international energy industry landscape, confidentiality and bidding agreements, anti-bribery, corruption and sanctions regimes, international dispute resolution, service and granting instruments, joint operating agreements, participation through farming and farmout arrangements, sale and purchase agreements, unitisation, decommissioning, crude oil sales and lifting agreements, gas sales, balancing and transportation, LNG fundamentals, stabilisation and sovereign immunity, as well as the implementation of new energy solutions. Nyambe encouraged Namibians and Africans working in legal, commercial, regulatory, policy and technical roles within the energy sector to take advantage of the course including those of the National Oil Company (Namcor).
Commenting on the course, Nyambe emphasised that, “Developing local expertise is essential to ensuring that African countries are well positioned to negotiate balanced, sustainable and commercially sound agreements as major projects in the Orange Basin move closer to execution.”
The Cairo course also offers participants a valuable opportunity to network with international peers and industry experts, further strengthening Africa’s capacity to participate confidently and competently in the global energy industry.
