Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: APO

Emirates (http://www.Emirates.com) has continued its commitment to making travel more accessible for all, by successfully arranging bespoke Emirates Travel Rehearsals across more than 40 cities globally over the past year. With more than 250 families positively impacted, Emirates Travel Rehearsals are designed to support children and young adults with autism, allowing them to practice the journey through the airport to prepare for real flights – easing travel anxiety and empowering them to fly with more confidence.

After the initial Emirates Travel Rehearsals in Dubai resulted in positive feedback from families, schools and autism organisations; the Emirates Office of Accessibility & Inclusion formulated the travel rehearsal into an official programme, to be rolled out across its global network.

Since April 2025, Emirates’ Airport Services teams have come together to arrange more than 40 of these travel rehearsals across airports like Accra, Athens, Bali, Bangalore, Barcelona, Bologna, Brussels, Cairo, Christchurch, Da Nang, Delhi, Dubai, Dublin, Durban, Düsseldorf, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Harare, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Luanda, Madrid, Mauritius, Milan, Newcastle, Nice, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Peshawar, Port Luis, Rome, Stansted, Stockholm, Sydney, Toronto, Trivandrum, Venice and Vienna.

More than 35,000 Emirates staff have been trained to support customers with autism and can help facilitate travel, and Travel Rehearsals. Emirates teams work very closely with airport authorities and partners to make sure each rehearsal is a supportive and successful experience for the families.

Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President, Emirates Airport Services Outstation & Business Support, commented;

‘The Emirates Travel Rehearsal programme has been a resounding success across 6 continents, with impressive collaboration and drive shown by all stakeholders, from our own Emirates teams to our airport partners, and the parents and teachers who trusted us to support their children. We will continue to amplify this success with more locations, more teams involved, and more families positively impacted and empowered to fly with confidence.’

What is an Emirates Travel Rehearsal?

As the world’s first autism certified airline, Emirates is aware that for many families, international air travel is a highly challenging experience, or something to be avoided completely due to the high level of sensory stimuli that is involved. A survey on AutismTravel.com revealed that 78% of families are hesitant to travel or visit new locations for these reasons. For many people with autism, planning and predictability is critical – and an airport represents a world of unknown processes and stimuli.

Emirates Travel Rehearsals are a purposeful community collaboration and learning exercise arranged by Emirates, with the support of international airport teams, Border Control and Security teams, and schools and centres for autism based all around the world. The travel rehearsals empower neurodivergent people to participate in a real-time journey through the airport, practicing the actions of checking in, dropping baggage, going through immigration and security, and experiencing the hustle and bustle of retail and dining areas. While familiarising themselves with the airport, participants are also issued mock boarding passes and given the chance to meet the many uniformed staff encountered along the way. In some airports, Emirates’ teams managed to arrange access to real aircraft for the children and young adults.

Positive feedback from participants

Now on an international level – parents, therapists, teachers, young adults and children involved in the travel rehearsals so far have reported to Emirates that the experience has been invaluable in helping them have a safe and successful flight, by offering the comfort of preparation and familiarity, as well as trained staff to support.

“The relief experienced when institutions like Emirates have considered children with neurological differences in their operational strategies! To know a parent is welcomed with massive support during travels is such a beautiful feeling. It’s like a road to freedom for my child.” From an Autism Center founder and parent, Accra.

“Now I am not afraid anymore! Maybe we can fly again next year. Before it was terrible. But now I can leave my fears somewhere else.” From Noah in Dusseldorf, 13 years old.

“A real highlight of the day was watching the Emirates A350 arrive on stand, with the Captains waving to the children – a moment that sparked huge excitement. By the end of the evening, smiles were everywhere, and the atmosphere was filled with pride and joy. The children headed home with their bags they had “checked in,” filled with Emirates goodies, making the experience even more memorable. ​It was an incredibly rewarding day, and we’re grateful to everyone who took part and supported this.”  From an Autism Group Leader, Edinburgh.

“It is heartwarming to see and feel that in this busy world, there is still time taken to think of those who need just a little extra care. Thanks to this experience, our child can finally form a real picture of what to expect from an air‑travel holiday, because with explanations alone, he simply cannot imagine it. We found it incredibly fun and very helpful to experience this together with our son! Thank you!” From a Parent in Brussels.

“Interesting! I was allowed to control the baggage belt. Everything was great. Especially the picnic room (lounge), the weapon control (security), the aircraft, just everything!” From Oskar in Dusseldorf, 7 years old.

“Thank you for yesterday’s experience. From what participants have said, I think it couldn’t have been better, Mario is still saying that it was the best day of his life.” Parent from Fundación Friends, Barcelona.

“The effort that Emirates put into creating more awareness, understanding, and sensitivity towards people with an invisible disability deserves the highest appreciation. Your approach shows insight, respect, and genuine commitment, making the world a better place and the lives of people with disabilities more liveable. It is inspiring to see how much care and attention you put into this. Hopefully, other airlines will follow your example, and awareness for people with disabilities will continue to grow. Thank you very much for this wonderful experience.” From an Autism Group leader in Brussels.

“Unusual, I have never been to an airport. Very strange bus, it had doors on both sides. Cockpit was very cool! I was surprised to receive a present, I was very happy! Everything was unusual but fine and I could understand everything what was explained.” From Erik in Dusseldorf, 19 years old.

‘I was buzzing with excitement as the day approached with my students. Emirates’ team were incredibly welcoming and supportive, going above and beyond to make our travel experience both exciting and comfortable. From sensory-friendly spaces to tailored support, every detail was thoughtful. We had so much fun with the staff they truly understood us and were thrilled to have us. Thanks for making it a memorable day’. From a Class Teacher in Accra.

“The experience you’ve given us is invaluable. We continue to be overwhelmed by the welcome we received. We loved all the details and preparation of the tickets at check-in, controls, boarding, and meeting the crew. We consider it a very significant step forward. The boys and girls came back very happy and after a week they are still remembering and talking about the visit. The feedback from families has also been very positive.” Representative from the Fundación Aucavi, Madrid.

“Thank you can feel so light at times like these. To think of our children with autism was such an honor for families. You unpacked travel aspirations they have, their desired destinations. One parent said they never ever asked their son where he would like to visit thinking he knows no destinations.” Representative from the Regional Development Office for Autism, South Africa

“Thank you, Emirates. It helped us a lot that we could go through the check-in process all the way to boarding the plane (the problem for us was/is the transportation on the passenger bridge, but now we know that it’ll be fine for our child too). Special thanks for your hospitality, and for the patience of Emirates staff. Our little boy had a great desire to board a plane, we returned home enriched with positive experiences. He also went to school today in the hat he received.” Parent from Hungary

“I haven’t travelled in ten years out of fear for my child. After this experience, I feel more confident and hope to plan a trip with him.” Parent from Angola

“A million thanks for organizing, your team was incredibly professional and kind. My gratitude to the crew member who showed Nore around, it made his day! He was also over the moon with the goodie bag he received, his smile got bigger and bigger as we reached home. You really did an amazing job when he finished his day by raising his arms and shouted: “I love being an autist”!” Parent of Nore from Oslo.

“It was more than an airport experience. It was a gesture of respect, care, and recognition of everyone’s right to belonging, to travel, and to live fully. Each smile, each achievement, and each emotional glance from our little ones and their families revealed the true meaning of inclusion: creating safe, welcoming, and accessible spaces for everyone.” Doctor from Kuzola Mona Children Development Centre, Angola.

“Wow what an experience you provided our students on Friday. As a teacher of students with specialist needs for over 20 years this was one of the best things I have attended. Everyone commented on the care and attention from the whole Emirates team and the ground crew at Christchurch airport. We now have families who feel confident to give travel a go! Emirates aircraft model now has a new home, at the school reception.” Teacher from Pītau-Allenvale School, Christchurch.

Emirates’ continuous support for neurodiverse customers

Emirates will continue to arrange Travel Rehearsals across its global network throughout 2026, inviting more schools and centres to participate.

Emirates’ range of sensory products and fidget toys (http://apo-opa.co/3QmXkiT) for customers of all ages continue to be available onboard in all cabin classes, for passengers who are neurodiverse, anyone who is struggling onboard or is a nervous traveller.

Emirates Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub (http://apo-opa.co/3QmXs1R) on Emirates.com has been designed to contain all the information needed for accessible and inclusive travel, featuring accessibility-friendly navigation that allows customers to find information easily and explore the many ways that Emirates can provide travel assistance and support. Aiming to reduce anxiety before travelling, customers can choose to view and explore sections by disability, including Hidden Disabilities. If preferred, customers can search by looking at specific parts of the journey, which have been clearly arranged – Before your flight, Departure from Dubai, Onboard your flight, Connecting in Dubai and Arriving in Dubai. A third option allows customers to browse by specific needs, including Prepare for travel with the autism-friendly guide and Explore Dubai Airport (DXB) Map and Sensory guides.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Emirates Group.

Source: APO

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) (www.Olympics.com) has announced the first group of Athlete Role Models (http://apo-opa.co/3Qky50M) for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) (http://apo-opa.co/4clOeLQ), marking an important step in preparations for the first Olympic sporting event to be held on the African continent.

Key facts

The IOC has announced an initial list of 31 Athlete Role Models for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, including multiple Olympic champions and medallists.

The Athlete Role Models will provide mentoring and workshop training to young athletes on site during Dakar 2026.

In collaboration with the International Federations, experienced Olympians from the 25 competition sports and 10 engagement sports on the Dakar 2026 programme have been selected as Athlete Role Models. They are:

• Clarisse Agbegnenou (FRA, judo)
• Stéphane Badji (SEN, football)
• Christopher Bak (USA, rowing)
• Asunción Batista (ESP, beach handball)
• Rémy Bedu (FRA, golf)
• Yves Bourhis (SEN, canoe slalom)
• Jean-Pierre Bourhis (SEN, canoe slalom)
• Darcy Bourne (GBR, hockey)
• Douglas Brose (BRA, karate)
• Sheila Chajira (KEN, rugby sevens)
• Doaa Elghobashy (EGY, beach volleyball)
• Jomana Elsaiy (EGY, shooting)
• Ruth Gbagbi (CIV, taekwondo)
• Sonja Greinacher (GER, basketball 3×3)
• Zohra Nora Kehli (ALG, fencing)
• Khadija Krimi (TUN, rowing)
• Xiaoxiao Lai (CHN, wushu)
• Rayssa Leal (BRA, skateboarding)
• Vincent Luis (FRA, triathlon)
• Jamila Lunkuse (UGA, swimming)
• Dina Meshref (EGY, table tennis)
• Halimah Nakaayi (UGA, athletics)
• Kaylia Nemour (ALG, artistic gymnastics)
• Blessing Oborududu (NGR, wrestling)
• Forrester Osei (GHA, weightlifting)
• Ayako Rokkaku (JPN, baseball5, baseball/softball)
• Edmond Sanka (SEN, canoe sprint, Para canoe)
• Combe Seck (SEN, canoe sprint)
• Richard Torrez Jr. (USA, boxing)
• Maja Włoszczowska (POL, cycling)
• Siwei Zheng (CHN, badminton)

The full biographies of each Athlete Role Model can be found on the Athlete365 website (http://apo-opa.co/41KHuB3).

Since the inaugural Singapore 2010 YOG, the Athlete Role Model programme has been a central component of each edition, providing the young athletes competing with a chance to learn from experienced Olympians.

The Athlete Role Models will be on the ground in Senegal to engage with competing athletes, providing support and advice around competition and taking part in educational workshops. These workshops cover topics such as career management, injury prevention and mental preparation, among many other things.

The Athlete Role Models will also attend training sessions, engage with the local community, support the athletes from the sidelines and be there to congratulate them at victory ceremonies.

Speaking about his selection as an Athlete Role Model, Chinese Olympic champion in badminton (mixed doubles) Shiwei Zheng said: “This opportunity is a powerful extension of my life’s work… It allows me to show that being a ‘champion’ isn’t just about medals – it’s about how you live, lead and lift others up.”

Meanwhile, Spaniard Asunción Batista – named best player in the world in beach handball in 2022 – spoke about what being an Athlete Role Model means to her: “Personally, this opportunity means growth, purpose and the chance to be part of something bigger than me.”

Senegal’s flagbearer at the Paris 2024 Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Combe Seck (canoe sprint), spoke about what it means to serve as an Athlete Role Model in her own city: “This opportunity represents a real challenge and is a great source of pride for me. Being an Athlete Role Model in Dakar, my city, is a chance to push myself, bring value and contribute to something truly meaningful.”

Jamila Lunkuse, a two-time Olympian in swimming from Uganda, spoke of what she wants to achieve in this role: “Representation really matters to me… I want to be that visible presence for young athletes that I didn’t always have.”

Douglas Brose – a Brazilian karateka and one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of men’s kumite – explained why he wanted to be an Athlete Role Model for Dakar 2026: “I didn’t build my career only to win medals – I built it to open paths.”

On this milestone announcement, IOC Athletes’ Department Director Kaveh Mehrabi said: “Like many in our society, young athletes naturally look up to Olympians for guidance and inspiration. At every edition of the YOG, we have witnessed the incredible impact of Athlete Role Models in terms of athlete experience, and that’s why we are convinced that these outstanding role models will play a central role during Dakar 2026 and beyond. They represent the very best of Olympism and will help shape the experience of the young athletes competing in Senegal. Their contribution will be invaluable in supporting the mission of Dakar 2026 and empowering the next generation to chase their dreams.”

This announcement underscores the IOC’s commitment to delivering a meaningful athlete experience at the Youth Olympic Games, while supporting the legacy of Dakar 2026 in Senegal and across Africa.

The Dakar 2026 YOG will take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing together around 2,700 young athletes aged up to 17 across three host zones: Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Olympic Committee (IOC).

About IOC:
The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit, civil, non-governmental, international organisation made up of volunteers which is committed to building a better world through sport. It redistributes more than 90 per cent of its income to the wider sporting movement, which means that every day the equivalent of USD 4.7 million goes to help athletes and sports organisations at all levels around the world.

Source: APO

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Senior officials gathered in Windhoek last week for an Urban Mobility Working Session built around an unusual principle: no proposal could be submitted unless those present were willing to commit to it. Organisers said the approach created the basis for a trust-rich pathway toward a more coordinated and effective transport system.

The City of Windhoek last week convened senior leaders from local and national government for an Urban Mobility Working Session aimed at urgently advancing the city’s transport agenda and informing Namibia’s Draft Public Passenger Transport Act.

Transport systems connect almost everything necessary for life. Reflecting the importance of this, the session brought together senior representatives from the City of Windhoek, the Ministry of Works and Transport, the Khomas Regional Council, the Roads Authority, the Road Fund Administration, the Road Transportation Board and other key stakeholders.

The session was underpinned by two principles: commitment and trust. All delegates agreed that proposals could only be submitted during the session if those present were prepared to commit to them. If not, they could not be submitted.

“Too often, workshops produce good ideas with no ownership,” said Pierre van Rensburg, Strategic Executive for Urban and Transport Planning at the City of Windhoek. “Our intention was that every proposal emerging from this process should already have a name, an institution and a commitment attached to it.”

The session was also grounded in co-creating what The Global Trust Project describes as a trust-rich pathway: a practical basis for sustained action built on trustworthiness, shared responsibility and follow-through. Evidence from government and transport systems internationally suggests that higher levels of trust and coordination are associated with more effective implementation, greater public confidence and stronger institutional performance. OECD research similarly finds that institutions perceived as fair, responsive and coordinated are more likely to secure public trust and deliver better outcomes.

Grounded in this approach, the session focused on three practical objectives identified by the City of Windhoek: securing guaranteed funding for transport improvements; finalising the Draft Public Passenger Transport Act; and strengthening coordination between the institutions responsible for planning, financing, regulating and delivering mobility services.

The proposed funding objective includes an annual fiscus contribution and fuel levies to ensure more consistent financial support for transport improvements. The Draft Public Passenger Transport Act is intended to provide the legislative framework required for more effective implementation and governance of Namibia’s public transport system. The coordination objective seeks closer alignment between all roleplayers to support integrated service delivery.

Today, 45 per cent of the world’s 8.2 billion people live in cities, and two-thirds of future population growth is expected to occur there. Namibia reflects that pattern: approximately 500,000 people – nearly one in five Namibians – live in Windhoek. Decisions about mobility in the capital therefore have implications for a substantial share of the country’s economy, access to work, education, healthcare and public life.

The session was facilitated by The Global Trust Project, part of the VUKA Group, and centred on translating those three objectives into practical actions and declared commitments.

“Commitment became one of the principal outputs of the session,” said Dominic Wilhelm, Executive Director of The Global Trust Project. “If an input could not be committed to, it could not be submitted. This provides a meaningful basis for what we call a trust-rich pathway.”

The commitments developed during the session are expected to contribute to the next phase of work on Windhoek’s mobility agenda and the refinement of Namibia’s Draft Public Passenger Transport Act.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

Media enquiries:
The Global Trust Project (TGTP)
path@theglobaltrustproject.one

About The Global Trust Project (TGTP):
TGTP works with organisations and governments to operationalise trustworthiness as a strategic asset. Working across Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia, TGTP has supported multinational companies, and public institutions to strengthen leadership, performance, and stakeholder confidence. As Venture Partner to VUKA Group, TGTP also works at the intersection of leadership, convening, and strategic engagement across major African business and policy platforms. Its evidence-based approach, built around the Trust Equity Index (TEi), has contributed to stronger leadership alignment, improved team cohesion, reduced conflict, sharper strategic clarity, increased stakeholder confidence, and measurable gains in trust, engagement, and organisational performance.

About VUKA Group:
VUKA Group connects people and organisations across Africa’s energy, mining, mobility, green economy, and retail sectors through events, content, and strategic networking. Venture partners to The Global Trust Project and leaders of NPO Go Green Africa.  www.WeAreVUKA.com         

Source: APO

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Petrobras President Magda Chambriard has been confirmed as a speaker at the upcoming Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) Conference and Exhibition – taking place September 9-10 with a pre-conference day on September 8. Building on a series of deals signed between Angola and Brazil in recent months, Chambriard’s participation cements the re-entry of a major deepwater operator into Angola and the strengthening of South Atlantic upstream partnerships. 

Chambriard’s participation comes at a time when Petrobras is renewing its engagement with Angola. In 2025, the company signed two deals, marking its return to the market and commitment to assessing exploration opportunities. A May 2025 deal with Angola’s national oil company (NOC) Sonangol signaled the start of research and development activities between the companies, outlining bilateral cooperation in the fields of oil, gas and associated sectors. This followed an agreement signed between Petrobras and Angola’s upstream regulator the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency in March 2025 for the joint study of offshore acreage in Angola.

These agreements collectively signal more than just Petrobras’ return to Angola: they reflect a broader geopolitical and industry shift toward South–South cooperation in energy development. In March 2026, Brazil’s Ministry of Mines and Energy signed an MoU with Angola’s Ministry of Energy and Water, formalizing a joint agenda focused on the exchange of experiences, institutional development and the strengthening of public policies between the nations. The agreement aims to advance cooperation in energy planning, power generation and transmission as well as capacity building, supporting Angolan electrification. While the deal reflects opportunities for collaboration in energy, it is the oil and gas sector that Angola-Brazil cooperation truly stands out. 

Given their geological similarities, Angola and Brazil are well positioned to leverage cross-Atlantic cooperation to strengthen their respective oil and gas markets. For its part, Brazil represents one of the world’s most prolific deepwater markets, with projects such as the Lula oilfield in the Santos Basin established as the world’s largest ultra-deepwater fields. By 2030, over 600 wells are expected to be drilled at Lula, with Brazil’s national production forecasted to reach 4.9 million bpd by 2032.

Angola features similar geological potential, with the same salt tectonics and conjugate-margin petroleum systems witnessed on the African side of the Atlantic. Strong geology and competitive fiscals have strengthened Angola’s attractiveness as a deepwater player, with ongoing exploration and production programs cementing the country’s status as a leading deepwater producer. TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil recently signed a Principles Agreement for the allocation of four blocks in the Benguela and Namibe basins, bringing renewed momentum to deepwater exploration efforts. Azule Energy plans to drill the Kiando prospect at Block 47 in 2026, while Shell recently farmed into ultra-deepwater Blocks 49 and 50. 

For Petrobras, leveraging experiences gained in Brazil could support Angola’s deepwater drive. As the company strengthens its position in the Angolan market, Chambriard’s presence at AOG 2026 underscores the growing importance of Brazil–Angola cooperation in shaping the future of deepwater oil and gas development in the South Atlantic.

AOG 2026 provides a strategic platform for these discussions, bringing together NOCs, international operators, investors and policymakers to shape the next phase of Angola’s oil and gas development. Petrobras’ renewed engagement in Angola, combined with strengthening government-to-government cooperation between Brazil and Angola, signals growing momentum around joint development, knowledge sharing and cross-Atlantic investment.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

Source: APO

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Atlantic margin focused energy company Sintana Energy’s planned secondary listing on the Namibia Securities Exchange (NSX) has emerged as one of the most significant signals yet that Namibia’s oil and gas sector is entering a new phase of financial maturity. Announced in April 2026 at the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) in Windhoek, the move aims to open direct participation in offshore exploration assets such as PEL 83 and PEL 87 to Namibian investors for the first time at scale.

At a moment when final investment decisions (FIDs) are approaching across multiple Orange Basin developments, the listing reflects a broader shift underway in Namibia’s energy landscape: capital is no longer flowing only into exploration, but increasingly into domestic market formation, local ownership and structured participation in the upstream value chain. As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) supports this listing as a pivotal step toward deepening local ownership, expanding capital market participation and embedding Namibians directly in the country’s rapidly evolving upstream oil and gas sector.

“Where we are right now, we have a fierce urgency of NOW,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, AEC. “You need to think about energy security. This goes across the board in Africa. Don’t make the mistake of thinking things are just going to happen, you have to become active. We have to make some bold choices and those bold choices need to come around stabilization terms, taxes and other fiscal decisions.”

At NIEC 2026, Sintana Energy positioned its upcoming NSX listing as a cornerstone of its long-term strategy to deepen Namibian participation in the upstream sector. Chief Executive Robert Bose emphasized that current market conditions, strong exploration success and evolving fiscal frameworks create a unique window to align capital markets with national development goals and broaden local investor involvement in key offshore assets.

As one of the country’s premier financial institutions, Standard Bank Namibia is expanding its energy-focused corporate and investment capabilities as offshore oil and gas activity accelerates, positioning itself as a key intermediary between global capital and domestic opportunity. The bank is increasingly involved in structuring financing solutions, advisory services, and public-private participation-linked transactions, while also deepening skills programs to build technical and financial expertise needed for large-scale upstream and infrastructure development across Namibia’s emerging energy value chain.

Standard Bank Namibia’s Head of Corporate and Investment Banking Nelson Lucas said that predictability and regulatory certainty are essential to unlocking investment in the oil and gas sector. He noted Namibia’s strong investor base, shaped by past listings, and emphasized opportunities to expand local capital market participation in supporting energy development.

Furthermore, insurance company Old Mutual Investment Group Namibia is emerging as a key enabler of domestic institutional capital for the country’s energy build-out. The group manages diversified investment portfolios within Namibia’s financial system and is increasingly focused on infrastructure-linked opportunities tied to oil and gas development. Its role is centered on deepening local capital markets, supporting long-term project financing and strengthening investor confidence in the sector’s growth trajectory.

The group’s Managing Director Designate Sepo Haihambo underscored the scale of domestic financial capacity, noting that Namibia’s banking sector reached $187 billion in 2024. She emphasized that leveraging this local capital in infrastructure and energy projects is essential to crowding in international investment, strengthening confidence and ensuring balanced, sustainable sector growth.

With a high-impact exploration portfolio spanning multiple offshore licenses, including PELs 97, 99, 100 and 107, exploration company Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas is advancing its position in the Walvis Basin. In April 2026, the company farmed down a 60% stake to energy major bp, securing capital and technical backing ahead of a planned drilling campaign, as it targets significant deepwater prospects.

At NIEC 2026, Eco (Atlantic) CEO Gil Holzman highlighted how rapidly Namibia’s upstream landscape has evolved, pointing to a surge in major discoveries and investor interest. He stressed that the next phase must focus on enabling meaningful local participation, ensuring Namibians are integrated into the sector as development accelerates.

In the midst of these major financial and technical developments, financial institution Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) Namibia is positioning itself at the center of the country’s energy financing landscape, with a growing focus on structuring deals that balance international capital with local participation. As RMB Namibia’s Investment Banking Transactor Leonard Hamunyela noted, the bank sees significant opportunity in supporting Namibian companies across the oil and gas value chain, particularly through trade finance, project structuring and risk allocation frameworks tailored to large-scale energy developments.

As Namibia advances toward FID and first oil, the AEC maintains that aligning capital, policy and local participation will be decisive, ensuring the country’s oil and gas sector evolves into a globally competitive, investment-ready and inclusive engine of long-term economic growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.