Windhoek: The African energy sector cannot grow without the active involvement of young people, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, has said. Speaking at the 8th Namibia International Energy Conference on Wednesday here, Ayuk emphasised the need to prepare youth for future participation in the industry. "Our industry goes nowhere without young people. We can't tell our young brothers and sisters to stay back today and expect them to be ready tomorrow," Ayuk said.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the four-day conference, held under the theme 'The Road to First Oil and Beyond: Partnership. Investment. Growth', is taking place from 13 to 16 April 2026 and has attracted more than 1,000 delegates from government, industry, and international partners. Ayuk said Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector presents an opportunity not only for economic growth but also for creating meaningful opportunities for young people. "Our young people are demanding something bigger from us. They want us to use the energy we have discovered to build better cities and create opportunities for the future," he said.

Ayuk highlighted that young people must be actively included in the industry through employment, training, and promotion, rather than being left on the sidelines. "It starts with us hiring them. It starts with us promoting them. It starts with us being deliberate about giving them opportunities, not tomorrow or next year, but today," he said.

Meanwhile, Senior Vice President for Africa at TotalEnergies, Mike Sangster, said Namibia's growing oil and gas industry has the potential to create employment and long-term development opportunities. He noted that major offshore projects such as the Venus discovery could play a significant role in developing local skills and industries. "A final investment decision for Venus will be a real catalyst for Namibia. It will generate jobs, revenues, skills, and industrial capabilities," Sangster said.

He added that the project could create around 5,000 direct and indirect jobs while supporting training initiatives aimed at building local expertise in the sector. "We are already moving forward with initiatives such as the Venus Academy, which will focus on developing skills and training for the next generation of energy professionals," he said.

Speakers at the conference emphasised that for Namibia's energy sector to succeed, young people must be equipped with the knowledge and opportunities needed to participate in the industry.