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May 2026
Informanté
Knowledge Kattivoiced support forestablishment of the Upstream Petroleum Unit and Petroleum Amendment Bill
Source
“NAMIBIAN investor in oil and gas, Knowledge Katti, has voiced support for the establishment of the Upstream Petroleum Unit (UPU) in the Office of the President and the Petroleum Amendment Bill currently before Parliament, arguing that the reforms are necessary to strengthen oversight, attract investment, and accelerate Namibia's transition from oil discoveries to production.”
Knowledge Kattiurged lawmakers to supportthe bill while ensuring accountability measures are strengthened
Source
“In a memorandum addressed to parliamentarians and national leadership, Katti said the reforms reflect a "deliberate, evidence-based response" to institutional challenges within the petroleum sector and urged lawmakers to support the bill while ensuring accountability measures are strengthened.”
Knowledge Katticalled onParliament and national leaders to support the Upstream Petroleum Unit and Petroleum Amendment Bill
Source
“Businessman Knowledge Katti has called on Parliament and national leaders to support the establishment of the Upstream Petroleum Unit (UPU) and the Petroleum Amendment Bill, saying the reforms are needed to help Namibia move from oil exploration to production.”
Knowledge Kattidefended the appointment ofKornelia Shilunga as head of the UPU
Source
“He also defended the appointment of Kornelia Shilunga as head of the UPU, saying she played an important role in promoting Namibia's oil and gas sector internationally during her time as deputy minister of mines and energy.”
Knowledge Kattiisa Namibian businessman and director of Sintana
Source
“Knowledge Katti, a Namibian businessman and director of Sintana, says the listing aligns with his vision to have Namibians participate in the country's wealth.”
“Katti described Uerikua as a compassionate leader, noting that while power often corrupts some politicians, he consistently demonstrated integrity and never used his position to belittle businesspeople, but rather encouraged them.”
“According to recent company disclosures, the biggest identified shareholders include Charlestown Energy Partners LLC, with 4.8% of the shares, Perga Capital Partners LP with 4.9%, and Namibian businessman Knowledge Katti with 4.4%.”
Namibian oil and gas investor Knowledge Katti has issued a statement supporting the Petroleum Amendment Bill and the proposed Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President, arguing the reforms are necessary to strengthen oversight, attract investment, and accelerate Namibia's transition to oil production.
Why it matters
Oil and gas investor's public backing of the Petroleum Amendment Bill strengthens political support for the proposed reforms to strengthen resource management oversight.
Namibian oil and gas investor Knowledge Katti has issued a statement supporting the Petroleum Amendment Bill and the proposed Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President, arguing the reforms are necessary to strengthen oversight, attract investment, and accelerate Namibia's transition to oil production.
Knowledge Katti has urged Parliament and national leaders to support the creation of the Upstream Petroleum Unit (UPU) and the Petroleum Amendment Bill, arguing these reforms are necessary to help Namibia transition from oil exploration to production and address long-standing governance challenges in the sector.
Sintana Energy, a Canadian company listed on the London Stock Exchange, has announced plans to trade on the Namibia Securities Exchange (NSX). The company aims to give Namibians an opportunity to invest directly in offshore oil developments.
James Unomasa Uerikua, a Swapo parliamentarian and former governor of Otjozondjupa who died in a motor vehicle accident, is remembered by business figure Knowledge Katti as a compassionate leader who consistently supported entrepreneurs and demonstrated integrity.
James Uerikua, a Swapo parliamentarian and former Otjozondjupa governor who died in a road accident on Friday, is being remembered by businessman Knowledge Katti for his integrity and unwavering support of Namibian entrepreneurs. Katti recalls that Uerikua consistently encouraged business people and never used his position to belittle them, instead offering genuine commendation for their contributions to the country's economic development.
Trigon Metals has received its first quarterly payment from the sale of Kombat Mine to Horizon Corporation Limited, part of an agreed schedule of eight payments totalling approximately N$429 million. The company will use the capital to fund exploration of its Addana Project in Morocco after the mine's sale following operational failures including water management issues and pump failure in January 2025.
Canadian energy company Sintana Energy announced that the Mopane complex's oil resources have been upgraded to 1.38 billion barrels of oil equivalent, a 57% increase from the previously estimated 875 million barrels, based on Galp Energia's latest assessment.
Brazilian oil company Petrobras said it holds no current Namibian assets following a courtesy visit to government officials, though it and TotalEnergies are bidders for a 42.5% stake each in a petroleum exploration licence in the Lüderitz Basin, pending regulatory approval.
Oil explorer Pancontinental Energy halted stock trading on Tuesday as it searches for a new farm-in partner to fund continued exploration and drilling in Namibian oil block 2 713, after Woodside Energy declined its option to acquire a 56% stake in May 2025. The company received licence extension approval from Namibia's Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, with an announcement of a new partner expected by 19 March.
Paragon Investment and businessman Knowledge Katti have separately expressed interest in acquiring a 10.2% equity stake in Rössing Uranium Limited currently held by South Africa's Industrial Development Corporation. Katti has called for the stake to be sold exclusively to a 100% Namibian entity, arguing that greater local private sector participation in strategic mineral assets is key to national economic sovereignty.
Canadian oil and gas company Sintana Energy has listed on the London Stock Exchange's alternative investment market, with significant shareholding from Namibian businessman Knowledge Katti and operations across Namibia, Uruguay and Angola. The listing followed an acquisition of London-listed Challenger Energy late last year.
The Kombat Mine in Otjozondjupa will resume operations later this year, with New Horizon Copper aiming to produce 60,000 tonnes of copper per month by year's end. UK-based Horizon Corporation has committed N$390 million to restart the mine after purchasing an 80% stake from Trigon in 2024.
Namibian businessman Knowledge Katti confirmed that an agreement to sell a stake in petroleum exploration licence PEL104 to TotalEnergies and Petrobras remains subject to government approval. Under the terms, TotalEnergies will acquire 42.5%, Petrobras 42.5%, the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia 10%, and Eight Offshore 5%.
International oil giants TotalEnergies and Petrobras announced the acquisition of a stake in oil block PEL104 without prior ministerial approval, prompting the Namibian government to declare the move unlawful. Both companies have since denied wrongdoing and said the transaction remains subject to regulatory approval from the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has asked the attorney general to review the circumstances surrounding Paragon Oil & Gas' petroleum exploration licence (PEL 37) renewal, which was granted for four years despite regulations limiting third renewals to two years. The licence resurfaced as a controversy when former mines minister Natangwe Ithete was fired last year, allegedly for approving the renewal against the president's wishes.
The Namibian editorial argues that black economic empowerment schemes have primarily enriched a small political elite rather than benefiting the broader population, citing examples like Knowledge Katti's oil licences and the Fishrot scandal. The piece calls for government to review and overhaul BEE policies, which it says discourage genuine entrepreneurship and productivity while allowing rent-seekers to hoard public resources.
Businessman Knowledge Katti's Sintana Energy has paid a N$16.3 million deposit to secure negotiation rights over a stake in PEL 37, an oil exploration licence controlled by Paragon Oil & Gas. The licence has been controversial, linked to the firing of former mines minister Natangwe Ithete, and Sintana has until April 2026 to complete due diligence and negotiate terms to become a shareholder in Paragon.