Businessman linked to Nasan Energies' fuel station acquisition and storage facility partnership with Vitol, who has denied political connections to the government's fuel supply decisions.
Mathews Hamutenyadeniedhaving political connections to State House or involvement with Vitol fuel deal
Source
“Businessman Mathews Hamutenya says he has no political connection to State House and has nothing to do with the recent government decision to award international oil trader Vitol the sole right to supply fuel to Namibia.”
Businessman Mathews Hamutenyaisformer deputy chairperson of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia
Source
“Millennium Investments is controlled by businessman Mathews Hamutenya, a long-time player in Namibia's energy sector and former deputy chairperson of the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia.”
After the Namibian Competition Commission approved Vivo Energy's purchase of Engen Namibia's 52 service stations on condition that a small Namibian player acquire them, dealers say the subsequent sale to Nasan Energies has left them facing contract changes and business risks despite NaCC assurances in February that they would not be worse off.
After the Namibian Competition Commission approved Vivo Energy's purchase of Engen Namibia's 52 service stations on condition that a small Namibian player acquire them, dealers say the subsequent sale to Nasan Energies has left them facing contract changes and business risks despite NaCC assurances in February that they would not be worse off.
Former Namcor acting managing director Maureen Hinda-Mbuende has criticised the government's award of a N$7.2 billion three-month fuel supply contract to Vitol, saying the deal is "counter-productive and monopolistic" and will damage the downstream fuel sector's long-term competitiveness. Hinda-Mbuende claims Namcor offered a cheaper deal and that Vitol's ownership of Shell and Engen service stations creates conflicts of interest that could harm competitors.
Mathews Hamutenya has denied having political connections to State House or involvement in the government's decision to appoint Vitol as Namibia's sole fuel supplier, though his son recently bought 52 service stations and Hamutenya is a partner in a storage facility with Vitol. The Independent Patriots for Change have linked Hamutenya to what they describe as a "conglomerate at the centre of Namibia's petroleum oil takeover."
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has awarded Vitol an exclusive fuel supply contract for July to September, saying the company's offer to supply fuel at standard price without extra charges or public subsidy distinguished it from other bidders, whose proposals included additional conditions.
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has directed all fuel companies in Namibia to source petrol and diesel exclusively from Vitol between July and September 2026, citing emergency arrangements and the supplier's willingness to waive financial guarantees. Industry sources report that Vitol fuel is often more expensive than competitors', and the appointment has drawn scrutiny over procurement transparency and Vitol's history of allegations regarding substandard fuel supply.
Renthia Kaimbi Nasan Energies has appealed the Namibian Competition Commission's decision blocking the company from sourcing fuel from Vitol and related companies following its acquisition of 52 fuel stations. The company, represented by Ndaitwah Legal Practitioners, argues the conditions are too restrictive and has requested a five-year transitional period to build independent supply arrangements.
The Namibian Competition Commission approved Nasan Energies' acquisition of 52 service stations but barred the company from sourcing fuel from Vitol for five years to prevent monopoly concentration. Nasan has appealed the restriction and notified the energy minister of its intention to seek a review of the commission's conditions.
The Namibian Competition Commission has approved Nasan Energies' acquisition of 52 Engen and Shell-branded service stations from Vivo Energy, positioning Nasan as the country's third-largest fuel retailer. The purchase was conditional on divestment to prevent monopolistic control, following concerns about potential connections between Nasan's co-founder Miguel Hamutenya and Vivo's parent company Vitol.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah's two sons have rejected opposition leader Panduleni Itula's allegations that they are involved in Namibia's oil sector through their private businesses. The brothers, who operate a farming business and a logistics company respectively, issued a detailed rebuttal denying any interest in oil and characterizing Itula's claims as lies intended to discredit the first family.
After 113 learners at Katjinakatji Senior Secondary School hostel sought medical attention on Monday with stomach cramps and diarrhoea following consumption of bread delivered Friday, 28 were hospitalised and later discharged. Medical assessments found no poison or toxic substances; health professionals concluded symptoms were consistent with general stomach upset rather than poisoning.