Namibia shines at Africa Energies Summit
Jason Kasuto, Managing Director of Monasa Advisory & Associates and Chairperson of the Economic Association of Namibia, was a featured speaker at the Africa Energies Summit 2024, organised by Frontier Communications.This landmark event, now in its 10th year, gathers leaders and innovators from across Africa to tackle the continent's evolving energy landscape. Kasuto joined other distinguished speakers, including Namibian delegates like Maggy Shino and Nelson Lucas, to discuss critical topics such as local content policy and implementation in Africa's energy sector.
At the summit, Kasuto emphasised the importance of utilising foresight tools like the Namibian Social-Economic Assessment Model (SAM) to analyse potential impacts across sectors and the need for firm-level analysis to address quality and capability gaps among SMEs and large enterprises.
He advocated for a forward-looking Oil & Gas In-Country Value Blueprint and Strategy and highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment for transparent information flows, including establishing vendor registration platforms in collaboration with stakeholders.
Kasuto also discussed successful financing models like Brazil's Progredir Program, which offers credit to enhance liquidity and financial strength in the supply chain. He stressed the significance of local content requirements in generating broad-reaching impacts and involving local communities in project development.
The summit provided a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to exchange ideas, identify collaboration opportunities, and gain insights into emerging trends and innovative technologies driving energy transformation in Africa. Participants from government, industry, academia, and civil society across the continent, including top leadership of international oil companies and government ministers, attended, highlighting the event's significance.
Kasuto concluded by promoting Pan-African collaboration, emphasising the need for infrastructure and services to support the energy sector's growth. Namibians are encouraged to engage in platforms like the Africa Energies Summit to network, learn, and contribute to the sustainable development of the nation's energy sector.