Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
May 2026
Windhoek Observer
Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energyannounced temporary restrictions onfilling of drums and jerry cans
Source
“After announcing temporary restrictions on the filling of drums and jerry cans, the government was forced to explain that legitimate bulk fuel purchases by farmers, tourism operators and businesses do not amount to hoarding.”
Ministry of Industries, Mines and EnergyannouncedNamibia plans to boost domestic electricity generation to 80% by 2030
Source
“The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy last month announced that Namibia plans to boost domestic electricity generation to 80% by 2030, up from the current 45%.”
Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energysaysfarmers and businesses buying fuel in drums should not be viewed as hoarding
Source
“The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy says farmers, tourism operators and other businesses buying fuel in drums and jerry cans for operational use should not automatically be viewed as engaging in fuel hoarding or panic buying.”
Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energyasked Nida to identifyproperties not aligning with its mandate for transfer
Source
“The Namibian understands that at a meeting held on 18 March, Nida was asked by the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy to identify properties that do not align with its mandate for the transfer to the Ministry of Works and Transport.”
Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energyis alleged to have becomea "breeding ground for corruption"
Source
“He alleged that the ministry has over the years become a "breeding ground for corruption", and pointed to questionable diamond valuation contracts, improperly awarded lithium exclusive prospecting licences (EPLs), and what he described as biased and inconsistent processing of petroleum exploration licences (PELs).”
Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energyis representedin the delegation undertaking engagements in Beijing and Shanghai
Source
“The delegation, comprising representatives from the Namibia Power Corporation, the Environmental Investment Fund of Namibia, and the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, is undertaking engagements in Beijing and Shanghai focused on advanced renewable energy technologies.”
Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energywill make its decision onMay fuel price based on fuel pricing model review
Source
“The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy will make its decision on the May fuel price based on its review of the fuel pricing model, which will be influenced by developments over the next two weeks.”
Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energyissued an urgent directive warningthat holding back fuel stock to sell at higher prices undermines national fuel security
Source
“This led the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy (MIME) to issue an urgent directive warning that holding back stock to sell at higher prices undermines national fuel security and could trigger artificial shortages.”
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energywill focus onnurturing local content and building local capacity in mineral value-addition, mining and green industries
Source
“The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy will focus on nurturing local content and building local capacity in the mineral value-addition, mining and green industries during the implementation of its new strategic plan.”
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy dismissed reports that Namibia has lost its bid to acquire a stake in De Beers, calling circulating information "misleading and incorrect," after Botswana's minister said Anglo American had selected the Global Diamond Consortium as its preferred bidder for the diamond producer's sale.
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy dismissed reports that Namibia has lost its bid to acquire a stake in De Beers, calling circulating information "misleading and incorrect," after Botswana's minister said Anglo American had selected the Global Diamond Consortium as its preferred bidder for the diamond producer's sale.
During President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's state visit to Beijing in July, Namibia and China signed agreements and memoranda covering economic partnership, healthcare, education, green minerals, tourism and agriculture, elevating bilateral relations to a Namibia-China Community with a Shared Future for the New Era.
Namibia's offshore oil discoveries have attracted global interest, but international companies must embrace partnership, transparency, and shared progress rather than transactional models, with strict adherence to local taxation and labor laws required by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and NAMCOR.
Namibia's Kunene region has recorded 2,438 mining rights, reflecting a sharp rise in exploration activity as investors target one of Namibia's least explored but most prospective mineral provinces. Between 1 April and 24 June, authorities recorded 318 mineral rights under application or granted, generating N$5.55 million in revenue during the 2025/26 financial year through application fees and related charges.
Namibia's offshore oil discoveries have attracted international interest, but the country is enforcing strict local content requirements and regulatory compliance to ensure sustainable development and shared national progress. International companies must adhere to Namibian taxation and labour laws as a foundational requirement for operations.
Eco Atlantic Oil and Gas has received government approval to transfer its 85% stake in offshore petroleum exploration licence 98 to Namibia-based Lamda Energy. The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy granted the final regulatory approval, with the transaction expected to complete soon.
Namibia will become the first African country to host the CTBTO's Integrated Field Exercise (IFE26) in October 2026, a major international exercise in Swakopmund and the Erongo Region aimed at strengthening the global nuclear test monitoring system. The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy emphasised there will be no nuclear materials, explosions, radiation or activities that could negatively affect the environment.
Aune Amutenya, Deputy Director of Petroleum Exploration and Production, has been appointed Acting Petroleum Commissioner, effective 2 June 2026, replacing Maggy Shino, who has been relieved of the position but will remain Director in the Department of Upstream Petroleum Affairs.
Namibia's ministry of industries, mines and energy announced plans to remove the fuel premium charged to consumers for the past four years by implementing a Bulk Petroleum Import Coordination System that will allow wholesalers to coordinate imports and benefit from economies of scale, with minister Modestus Amutse saying the move will lower fuel costs while ensuring stable petroleum supply.
Twenty-eight trainees from all 14 regions of Namibia have begun a six-month gemstone cutting and polishing programme at the Karibib Gemstone Training Centre, a government initiative aimed at developing specialised skills and promoting value addition within the mining sector.
Nasan Energies, which acquired 52 service stations from Vivo Energy, is requiring fuel retailers to pay upfront for fuel rather than the traditional post-delivery payment model. Retailers claim Nasan lacks operational cash flow and is forcing prepaid contracts that differ from the original Vivo agreements.
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.
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy announced an emergency fuel supply arrangement with international energy company Vitol covering July to September 2026, stating it protects consumers from further price increases driven by Middle East geopolitical tensions. The government has committed more than N$1 billion to cushion consumers from rising fuel costs and maintain economic stability.
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has decided to maintain petrol and diesel pump prices at current levels for June, with petrol at N$23.48 per litre, diesel 50ppm at N$28.26 per litre, and diesel 10ppm at N$28.36 per litre. The ministry said the decision would provide stability for consumers despite global oil market fluctuations and recent price increases in May.
The government's proposed 51% local ownership requirement for future mining licences has strained relations with the Chamber of Mines, which raised concerns about investor confidence and capital flight. The article argues that while foreign investment is important to the mining sector, Namibia's minerals belong first to Namibians and the country must balance competing interests.
A €500 million framework loan facility from the European Investment Bank has not yet been rolled out in Namibia despite EU partnership progress in green hydrogen, critical raw materials, and infrastructure development.
The EU and Namibian Government have agreed to extend their Strategic Partnership Roadmap until 2030, originally launched in 2023 to promote cooperation in renewable hydrogen and critical raw materials value chains. The extension will deepen cooperation through European investment, technology transfer, and improved market access.
National Council members have urged the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy to ensure mining companies contribute directly to Namibia's development, warning that the country loses out while foreign-owned firms benefit from its natural resources. Lawmakers also called for stricter inspection of mining sites to combat illegal mining, affordable electricity access for rural communities, and preservation of mineral resources for future generations.
Policy uncertainty around fuel drum restrictions has created conditions for organised fuel theft and smuggling, the Windhoek Observer reports. The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy clarified that legitimate bulk purchases by farmers and businesses do not constitute hoarding, but the confusion exposed vulnerability to an informal market around the commodity.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, utility-scale solar and onshore wind power now cost about US$40 per megawatt-hour globally in 2025, less than half the cost of new gas turbine plants at over US$100 per megawatt-hour, as renewable costs have fallen and fossil fuel prices have risen.
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.
The Cabinet has approved a new Green Industries Council, replacing the Green Hydrogen Council after it ended in February 2025. The council will oversee Namibia's broader green industrialisation agenda, focusing on policy coordination, institutional alignment and investment priorities to accelerate industrialisation, economic diversification and job creation.
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy said farmers, tourism operators and other businesses buying fuel in drums and jerry cans for operational use should not be viewed as engaging in fuel hoarding or panic buying. The ministry instructed fuel retailers to use discretion and ask for reasonable explanations to distinguish legitimate bulk buyers from those stockpiling, with temporary measures remaining in place for three months.
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.
The City of Windhoek announced a reduction in debt from N$888 million to N$869 million, but residents criticized the municipality for spending heavily on salaries while service delivery remains poor, citing issues with waste collection and road repairs.
Namibia's offshore oil and gas sector continues to draw international interest, with a hydrocarbon licence map showing growing exploration activity across coastal basins and frontier areas. Multiple international oil companies hold exploration licences, with newly allocated blocks involving companies such as Baobab Energy, Elephant Oil, and others, while the offshore Orange Basin remains the main focus following recent major oil discoveries.