Kornelia Shilunga

Also known as: Deputy mines minister Kornelia Shilunga

Kornelia Shilunga — Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Presidency, addressing oil and gas sector competence and geopolitical resilience.

2025-01-202026-07-29

What’s been said

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

February 2026
6 FebInformanté
Kornelia Shilunga heads the UPU
Source
“The UPU, headed by Special Advisor Kornelia Shilunga, was established within the Presidency to oversee upstream petroleum governance.”
Upstream Petroleum Unit to take centre stage at NIEC 2026 as Namibia pushes towards first oil
January 2025
20 JanThe Namibian
Deputy mines minister Kornelia Shilunga said Namdia falls under finance ministry
Source
“Deputy mines minister Kornelia Shilunga, when approached by The Namibian to discuss the impact of the heist on the country's reputation as a leading diamond producer, said Namdia falls under the finance ministry.”
Mines ministry mum on Namdia heist

Mining & Energy

Government accelerates vocational training for oil and gas sector

The News

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 →

Yesterday

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 →