Kornelia Shilunga

Also known as: Deputy mines minister Kornelia Shilunga · Honourable Kornelia Shilunga · Hon. Kornelia Shilunga

Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Presidency overseeing Namibia's emerging oil and gas sector governance and local content policy implementation.

2025-01-202026-09-12

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

September 2026
2 SeptThe Namibian
Kornelia Shilunga heads the Upstream Petroleum Unit
Source
“The new local content policy, approved by Cabinet on 4 August, is endorsed by the unit, headed by Kornelia Shilunga, and gives it institutional power to enforce and regulate the policy.”
Presidency takes control of petroleum local content
August 2026
20 AugThe Namibian
Kornelia Shilunga told investors that the government is working on three key areas balancing policy predictability and national interests
Source
“Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit Kornelia Shilunga told investors that the government is working on three key areas, balancing the need for policy predictability and the long-term national interests of the country.”
Government reassures investors on oil industry
20 AugNew Era
Kornelia Shilunga said the real dividends of oil and gas discoveries need to lead to the commercial development of the country
Source
“the special advisor and head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President, Kornelia Shilunga, said the real dividends of oil and gas discoveries need to lead to the commercial development of the country.”
Oil must benefit Namibians – Witbooi
20 AugInformanté
Kornelia Shilunga, Special Advisor and Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President highlighted the importance of looking beyond first oil and ensuring long-term benefits
Source
“Furthermore, Kornelia Shilunga, Special Advisor and Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President of Namibia, highlighted the importance of looking beyond first oil and ensuring that Namibia's petroleum resources deliver long-term benefits through job creation.”
4th Namibia Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition concludes with a focus on making Namibia’s oil work for Namibians
20 AugWindhoek Observer
Kornelia Shilunga announced Cabinet approval of National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy
Source
“Special advisor and head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the office of the President, Kornelia Shilunga, announced the approval on Wednesday at the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2026 in Windhoek.”
Cabinet approves oil and gas local content policy
19 AugThe Namibian
Hon. Kornelia Shilunga is Special Advisor and Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit
Source
“Statement by Hon. Kornelia Shilunga, Special Advisor and Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit, at the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2026.”
Kornelia Shilunga Outlines Namibia’s Vision for Turning Oil and Gas Decisions into National Benefits
July 2026
28 JulWindhoek Observer
Kornelia Shilunga is Presidential special advisor and head of upstream petroleum unit
Source
“Presidential special advisor and head of the upstream petroleum unit in the office of the President, Kornelia Shilunga, said expanding vocational training programmes is critical to ensuring Namibians are ready to take up jobs expected to be created as oil and gas exploration progresses.”
Govt races to close oil and gas skills gap
28 JulWindhoek Observer
Shilunga welcomed Keetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre's decision to upgrade boilermaking and metal fabrication programme
Source
“Speaking during a visit to the Keetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre on Monday, Shilunga welcomed the institution's decision to upgrade its boilermaking and metal fabrication programme, describing it as an important step towards addressing the country's growing technical skills shortage.”
Govt races to close oil and gas skills gap
26 JulThe Namibian
Kornelia Shilunga told young people to prepare for opportunities the oil sector will bring the country
Source
“Speaking at the Youth in Oil and Gas Summit at Walvis Bay on Thursday, Shilunga told the young people present to prepare for opportunities the oil sector will bring the country.”
Upstream Petroleum Unit head Shilunga says success in industry demands innovation
26 JulThe Namibian
Kornelia Shilunga said young people should focus on obtaining academic qualifications, technical certificates and relevant industry experience
Source
“Shilunga said young people should focus on obtaining academic qualifications, technical certificates and relevant industry experience.”
Upstream Petroleum Unit head Shilunga says success in industry demands innovation

Mining & Energy

Presidency appoints Upstream Petroleum Unit as petroleum local content regulator

The News

The Presidency has designated the Upstream Petroleum Unit as the regulator of upstream petroleum local content, following Cabinet approval of a new local content policy on 4 August. This represents a shift from an earlier version that gave regulatory powers to the Ministry of Industrialisation, Mines and Energy, a change that has drawn parliamentary concerns about reduced oversight of the natural resource sector.

2 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 2 September

Presidency appoints Upstream Petroleum Unit as petroleum local content regulator
The Presidency has designated the Upstream Petroleum Unit as the regulator of upstream petroleum local content, following Cabinet approval of a new local content policy on 4 August. This represents a shift from an earlier version that gave regulatory powers to the Ministry of Industrialisation, Mines and Energy, a change that has drawn parliamentary concerns about reduced oversight of the natural resource sector.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 20 August

Government assures oil and gas investors of policy certainty
At the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse reassured investors that policy uncertainty will not derail Namibia's most advanced offshore oil projects, citing institutional, policy, and fiscal certainty. The move of upstream petroleum control from the energy ministry to the Office of the Presidency is a deliberate realignment to protect the sector, Amutse said, while a new local content policy approved this month provides investors with clear expectations.
20 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Oil success measured by benefits to Namibian lives
Vice President Lucia Witbooi said Namibia's oil discoveries will be measured on how many Namibian lives they improve, and called on Namibians to actively participate in developing the emerging oil and gas industry to create employment, skills, and infrastructure.
20 August 2026 · New Era →
4th Namibia Oil and Gas Conference concludes with sector focus
The Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2026 brought together over 1,500 delegates, more than 120 speakers, and over 70 exhibitors to discuss the country's emerging petroleum sector and its contribution to national development, with discussions centred on investment, local content, enterprise development, skills, infrastructure, and financing.
20 August 2026 · Informanté →
Cabinet approves Namibia's upstream petroleum local content policy
Namibia's Cabinet has approved the National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy, designed to increase Namibian participation across the petroleum value chain through local business development, employment, skills transfer, and procurement access. The government aims to move from exploration to production between 2026 and 2030, prioritising local employment, suppliers, and skills development.
20 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 19 August

Minister urges Namibia to prepare for oil production, maximise local benefits
At the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2026, Honourable Modestus Amutse, Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, called on Namibia to be ready for first oil and to maximise local benefits from the industry, addressing discoveries in the Orange Basin.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia outlines oil and gas benefits strategy
Special Advisor Kornelia Shilunga outlined Namibia's vision for converting oil and gas sector decisions into national benefits at the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2026.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 2 August

Presidency investigates TotalEnergies employment terms for local workers
The Namibian Presidency has launched an urgent investigation into employment conditions at TotalEnergies EP after local workers alleged unfair contract terms and inadequate benefits during their transition from recruitment company Apos to direct employment with the company. The workers raised concerns over remuneration, pension benefits, medical aid and recognition of years of service.
2 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 28 July

Government accelerates vocational training for oil and gas sector
The government has accelerated efforts to equip Namibians with technical skills for the emerging oil and gas industry, warning that employment opportunities could be lost to foreign workers if local capacity is not developed in time. A presidential special advisor said expanding vocational training programmes is critical to ensuring Namibians are ready for jobs expected to be created as exploration progresses.
28 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 26 July

Offshore oil work demands competence beyond safety training
Upstream Petroleum Unit head Kornelia Shilunga told young people at a Walvis Bay summit that success in Namibia's oil and gas industry requires competence, professionalism, and international standards—not just the Bosiet safety certificate, which is a mandatory requirement for those already employed offshore, not a path to employment.
26 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 22 July

NOGC delegation meets Upstream Petroleum Unit before August 2026
A delegation from the 4th Namibia Oil & Gas Conference met with the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President to brief officials on conference preparations and expected participation. The conference is scheduled for 18–20 August 2026 in Windhoek under the theme "From Decision to Dividend: Making Namibia's Oil Work for Namibians."
22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 20 May

PM Ngurare defends President Nandi-Ndaitwah's right to full two terms
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah should be allowed to serve her full two constitutional terms without distraction from succession debates, which he called premature and deliberately designed to undermine the administration.
20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 12 May

Oil and gas investor backs petroleum reform bill
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.
12 May 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 11 May

Businessman calls for Parliament backing of oil sector reforms
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.
11 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 22 April

Oil sector must adapt to geopolitical shifts, Shilunga says
Kornelia Shilunga, Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Presidency, urged Namibia's oil and gas sector to identify new trade corridors, invest in resilient infrastructure, and strengthen partnerships amid global geopolitical tension. She called on stakeholders to remain alert to commodity markets, trade dynamics, and shipping security while investing in Namibia's oil and gas development.
22 April 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 20 February

Mines ministry asserts full regulatory control over petroleum licensing
The Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy has told parliament that regulatory authority over mining and petroleum activities remains with the ministry, and that final decisions on petroleum licensing rest with the minister under existing law. The minister emphasised that the current assessment process—whereby applications are reviewed by the petroleum commissioner and management before recommendations reach the minister—does not require approval from advisory structures outside the ministry.
20 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 6 February

Namibia's new Upstream Petroleum Unit to present at 2026 energy conference
Namibia's newly established Upstream Petroleum Unit will participate in the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) in April 2026 to strengthen investor confidence and signal government commitment to transparent, investment-ready upstream petroleum governance as the country moves toward first oil production.
6 February 2026 · Informanté →