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July 2026
Windhoek Observer
Kornelia ShilungaisPresidential special advisor and head of upstream petroleum unit
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“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.”
ShilungawelcomedKeetmanshoop Vocational Training Centre's decision to upgrade boilermaking and metal fabrication programme
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“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.”
Kornelia Shilungatold young people to prepare foropportunities the oil sector will bring the country
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“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.”
“Shilunga welcomed the update on preparations and confirmed her attendance at the conference, emphasising the importance of collaboration between government, industry and strategic partners.”
Kornelia Shilungaplayed an important role in promotingNamibia's oil and gas sector internationally during her time as deputy minister
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.”
Kornelia Shilungacalled onNamibia's oil and gas sector to stay alert to evolving geopolitical environment
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“The Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit within the Namibian Presidency, Kornelia Shilunga, has called on Namibia's oil and gas sector to stay alert to the evolving geopolitical environment by identifying new trade corridors, investing in resilient infrastructure, and strengthening partnerships capable of withstanding an era of global geopolitical tension.”
Kornelia Shilungawas appointedspecial adviser in the Presidency for upstream petroleum unit
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“President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah last year appointed Kornelia Shilunga and Carlo McLeod as special advisers in the Presidency to establish and manage the newly created upstream petroleum unit.”
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.