Amid surging global interest in Namibia’s energy potential, Heirs Energies CEO Osa Igiehon is set to outline strategies for developing competitive African energy firms at the Namibia Oil & Gas Conference (NOGC) 2025. The event, taking place against the backdrop of multibillion-dollar investments in Namibia’s Orange Basin, will spotlight Igiehon’s insights on transforming Africa’s resource wealth into globally influential enterprises.
Scheduled for August 14, Igiehon will lead a session titled The Making of an African Independent, drawing on his company’s success in turning Nigeria’s OML 17 oil field into one of West Africa’s leading indigenous-operated assets. The discussion will begin with a fireside chat featuring Dr. Clemens von Doderer of the Hanns Seidel Foundation Namibia, followed by a panel with representatives from Azule Energy, Rhino Resources Namibia, and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. Key topics include strategies for African energy firms to rival international oil giants, balancing profitability with sustainability, and leveraging local knowledge as a competitive edge.
“African companies aren’t merely participants in the energy sector—we’re setting the pace,” Igiehon stated ahead of the conference. “Merging homegrown innovation with global operational standards creates unstoppable momentum.” His remarks underscore Heirs Energies’ alignment with the Africapitalism philosophy championed by Group Chairman Tony O. Elumelu CFR, which prioritizes private-sector-driven economic transformation across the continent.
The timing coincides with heightened activity in Namibia’s Orange Basin, where recent hydrocarbon discoveries have attracted major investors. As international firms explore the region’s potential, Igiehon’s presentation aims to demonstrate how African-owned entities can lead resource development while addressing energy poverty and environmental considerations. The session will highlight tangible examples, including Heirs Energies’ investments in gas utilization and community-focused initiatives in Nigeria, as models for sustainable growth.
Industry analysts note the conference’s focus on local capacity-building reflects broader shifts in Africa’s energy landscape. With governments increasingly emphasizing domestic participation in resource projects, Heirs Energies’ operational playbook—emphasizing workforce development, technology transfer, and partnership models—offers a replicable framework for emerging markets. Panelists are expected to debate regulatory reforms and financing mechanisms needed to scale African energy ventures, particularly in renewable energy and gas monetization.
The NOGC event underscores Namibia’s growing role as an energy investment hub, with its policy reforms and infrastructure developments drawing comparisons to early-stage opportunities in other hydrocarbon hotspots. For African energy leaders like Igiehon, the platform provides a chance to redefine narratives around indigenous participation in an industry long dominated by foreign players, positioning local expertise as critical to solving global energy challenges.
