Namibia's energy boom demands genuine youth governance, says scholar

Despite rhetoric of youth empowerment surrounding offshore oil discoveries and green hydrogen ambitions, Shikongo states that young Namibians are largely excluded from meaningful participation. The current model is described as tokenism, where young people are invited to conferences but lack real employment or decision-making power. Shikongo emphasizes that sustainable development goals, particularly strong institutions and partnerships, cannot be achieved if the youth, who represent the largest demographic, are treated as a charity case instead of an asset.

Young leaders are already engaged in community projects and development frameworks without state funding, possessing the strategic thinking and digital adaptability needed for effective local content policies. Shikongo calls for a shift from passive mentorship to active institutional governance, advocating for young leaders to be structurally integrated into regulatory bodies, local content steering committees, and regional development boards. The National Youth Council and regional forums are urged to become pipelines for intellect, ensuring opportunities reach all regions and are not monopolized by elite circles.

Shikongo concludes that young people are the operational reality of today and must be given structural power, not just symbolic representation, for the n