Namibia Minute.
24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Modestus Amutse

Also known as: Amutse · mines and energy minister · energy minister Modestus Amutse · Hon. Modestus Amutse · Minister Modestus Amutse · minister of industries, mines and energy Modestus Amutse · Minister Amutse · mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse · Amuste · Minister of industries, mines and energy · Namafu Amutse · the minister of industries, mines and energy · Former journalist Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse · Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse · current minister of industries, mines and energy

Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy overseeing fuel supply, mining operations, renewable energy, and electricity access expansion across Namibia.

Politics

Nudo MP questions Ministry capacity amid corruption allegations

The News

Nudo parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu told the National Assembly that the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy lacks adequate capacity and has become a "breeding ground for corruption," citing questionable diamond valuations, improperly awarded lithium licences, and inconsistent petroleum exploration licence processing, and alleged an ongoing dispute with Red Soil Energy and Mineral Exploration exposed systemic corruption spanning multiple administrations.

Why it matters

The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy oversees sectors critical to Namibia's economy, and allegations of entrenched corruption in diamond valuations, lithium licensing, and petroleum affairs could cost the country significant revenue and undermine resource management.

22 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 22 April

  1. Nudo MP questions Ministry capacity amid corruption allegations

    Nudo parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu told the National Assembly that the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy lacks adequate capacity and has become a "breeding ground for corruption," citing questionable diamond valuations, improperly awarded lithium licences, and inconsistent petroleum exploration licence processing, and alleged an ongoing dispute with Red Soil Energy and Mineral Exploration exposed systemic corruption spanning multiple administrations.

    22 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Petrofund workshop prepares Namibian MSMEs for oil sector participation

    Petrofund, Namibia's Petroleum Training and Education Fund, has commenced a two-day workshop to help Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises understand opportunities and global standards required by International Oil Companies in the oil and gas sector. Minister Modestus Amutse emphasised that the initiative aligns with the government's strategy to increase MSME contribution to the national economy from 16% and noted that local capacity development is critical as Namibia approaches its first Final Investment Decision.

    22 April 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 21 April

  1. Zambezi Exploration loses urgent petroleum licence court case

    Acting judge David Mangota ruled that Zambezi Exploration's urgent application to restrain the minister of industries, mines and energy from implementing a decision about a petroleum exploration licence for block 2812A did not meet the requirements to be heard as urgent, finding the urgency was self-created because the company delayed action after learning of a rival's relinquishment in January 2023. The judge ordered Zambezi Exploration to pay the legal costs of the minister and Vena Gemstones & Mining, the company that was awarded the licence.

    21 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 20 April

  1. MPs question N$600k mines board sitting allowance labelled 'liquor'

    Parliamentarians criticised a N$600 000 budgetary allocation for board sitting allowances within the mines ministry, which became contentious during budget debates due to its label as 'liquor'. The ministry clarified the funds are not for beverages but for allowances tied to liquor licensing work and board operations across regions, with potential increases to N$2 million over two years.

    20 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 April

  1. Namibia and Angola formalize N$4 billion power interconnection deal

    Namibia and Angola have signed binding agreements to jointly develop a cross-border power interconnector (ANNA), featuring a 166-kilometre transmission line linking the Kunene region to Cahama and a further 270-kilometre line between Omatando and Otjikoto. The project, estimated at N$941 million for the interconnector component and set for completion by 2029, aims to enhance regional energy security, diversify Namibia's electricity supply, and enable Angola to leverage its renewable and hydro resources across the Southern African region.

    16 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia, Angola sign N$940m power transmission interconnector deal

    Namibia and Angola signed a power purchase agreement and joint development agreement for the Angola-Namibia Power Transmission Interconnector Project (ANNA), estimated to cost about N$941 million and scheduled for completion in 2029. The 166-kilometre transmission line will link the Kunene substation in Namibia to the Cahama substation in Angola, with an initially projected capacity of up to 500 MW to enhance power system reliability and regional energy trade.

    16 April 2026 · New Era →

  3. Namibia and Angola launch N$941 million power interconnector project

    Namibia and Angola have signed agreements to advance the Angola-Namibia Power Transmission Interconnector Project (Anna), a N$941 million infrastructure project scheduled for completion in 2029. The project will construct a 166-kilometre, 400 kV transmission line linking Kunene and Cahama substations, with capacity of up to 500 MW, aimed at enhancing power system reliability and regional energy trade.

    16 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 8 April

  1. Minister hands over fencing materials to disability project

    Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse handed over fencing and other materials worth N$26,000 to the Twayambekwa Green Scheme Project, an income-generating initiative for persons with disabilities in Oshakati West Constituency.

    8 April 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 7 April

  1. US to boost investment in energy, critical minerals

    The US Ambassador to Namibia said his country wants to deepen partnership with Namibia by expanding investment in offshore oil and gas, critical mineral exploration, and infrastructure projects, while also strengthening cooperation in civil nuclear energy. Namibian officials attended an international nuclear energy conference in Nairobi with US support, positioning Namibia's uranium sector to expand into the broader nuclear value chain.

    7 April 2026 · New Era →

Monday 6 April

  1. US aims to expand investment in Namibia's energy and mining sectors

    US Ambassador John Giordano said the US wants to grow partnership with Namibia by focusing on investment and energy, particularly in offshore oil and gas, critical mineral exploration, and nuclear energy development. US financing institutions are expected to support projects for the southern African energy corridor, with Namibia's position as the world's third-largest uranium producer seen as a key asset for global energy security.

    6 April 2026 · The Namibian →

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