Also known as: 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 · Former journalist Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse · Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse · deputy minister Modestus Amutse · Industries, mines and energy minister · industries, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse · Mines minister Modestus Amutse
Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, responding to controversy over Vitol's exclusive fuel supply mandate and overseeing mining sector taxation and critical minerals policy.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
February 2026
The Namibian
Minister Modestus Amutseset to tablethe petroleum bill today
Source
“The bill to amend the Petroleum (Exploration and production) Act of 1991 is set to be tabled today by the minister of industries, mines and energy, Modestus Amutse, after it was blocked last year when defence minister Frans Kapofi was acting as the minister.”
Mines and energy minister Modestus Amutsevisitedthe //Kharas region
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“Mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse recently visited the //Kharas region, where he among others said locals must benefit more from natural resources found there.”
Energy minister Modestus Amutsesaidgovernment's promise to work with communities to ensure electricity reaches every household
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“"It is a renewal of government's promise to work with communities, through their elected leadership, to ensure that access to electricity reaches every household, regardless of location or income level," energy minister Modestus Amutse said.”
Minister Modestus Amutsesaysrural electrification costs N$80,000-N$300,000 per household depending on distance and terrain
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“"Rural electrification is extremely challenging and expensive. In some rural areas, connecting a single household can cost between N$80 000 and N$300 000, depending on distance, terrain and settlement patterns," says Amuste.”
Minister Modestus Amutsesaidperi-urban communities have faced persistent challenges over the years
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“Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony and site handover in the Hardap region for the electrification project, Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse said peri-urban communities have faced persistent challenges over the years.”
Minister Modestus Amutseannounced intention toincrease allocation to at least N$20 million
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“"Our intention is to increase this allocation to at least N$20 million, and potentially more, as we strengthen partnerships with other stakeholders and funding partners," Amutse said.”
Mines and energy minister Modestus Amutsesaidthe project will benefit communities at Rehoboth, Mariental, Aranos, Hoachanas and Gibeon, as well as Aroab, Bethanie, Berseba, Aus, Grünau and Warmbad
Source
“Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony at Mariental, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse said the project will benefit communities at Rehoboth, Mariental, Aranos, Hoachanas and Gibeon, as well as Aroab, Bethanie, Berseba, Aus, Grünau and Warmbad.”
Modestus Amutseisminister of industries, mines and energy
Source
“"It is a renewal of government's promise to work with communities, through their elected and leadership, to ensure that access to electricity reaches every household, regardless of location or income level," the minister of industries, mines and energy, Modestus Amutse, said.”
Industries, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutsesaidgreen hydrogen represents strategic opportunity for Namibia to deepen industrialisation
Source
“Industries, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse yesterday said green hydrogen represents a strategic opportunity for Namibia to deepen industrialisation and participate in emerging global low-carbon value chains.”
Energy Minister Modestus Amutse granted Swiss commodity trader Vitol an exclusive mandate to supply Namibia's entire fuel needs from June to August under a contract valued at an estimated N$2.4 billion a month, raising concerns about fuel sector capture given Vitol's links to individuals connected to politicians and the decision's apparent circumvention of the Competition Commission's conditions on fuel sourcing.
Why it matters
Exclusive fuel-supply contract to Vitol worth N$2.4 billion monthly raises serious accountability concerns over sector capture and competition process circumvention.
Energy Minister Modestus Amutse granted Swiss commodity trader Vitol an exclusive mandate to supply Namibia's entire fuel needs from June to August under a contract valued at an estimated N$2.4 billion a month, raising concerns about fuel sector capture given Vitol's links to individuals connected to politicians and the decision's apparent circumvention of the Competition Commission's conditions on fuel sourcing.
International oil trader Vitol, which has been awarded a three-month sole fuel-supplier contract for Namibia, is a single company with multiple operational subsidiaries and offices, according to Minister Modestus Amutse. The clarification was made after confusion arose over which Vitol entity held the tender, with Amutse noting that Vitol has been supplying petroleum products to Namibia for the last six months.
Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse denied that Vitol Bahrain's appointment as sole fuel supplier to Namibia for three months was illegal, responding to AR leader Job Amupanda's claim that the arrangement violates the Petroleum Products and Energy Act, which requires fuel importers to hold a wholesale licence and be registered in Namibia.
The National Planning Commission director general said Namibia is ready to move from planning to implementation of green hydrogen projects, despite the absence of dedicated legislation. The government aims to create 30,000 green jobs by 2030 and position Namibia as a low-carbon industry platform for southern Africa.
The Independent Patriots for Change has accused the government of monopolistic tendencies after the Minister of Mines and Energy announced Vitol Bahrain E.C. as Namibia's sole supplier of bulk petroleum products from July to September 2026. The three-month deal is expected to save the country about N$1 billion, though the Namibian Competition Commission earlier found Vitol controlled an estimated 75% to 85% of the intra-wholesale fuel market.
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 Independent Patriots for Change has called on the energy ministry to explain why it awarded international oil trader Vitol a three-month exclusive fuel supply contract without competitive tender. Shadow minister Rodney Cloete questioned the lack of transparency, the full terms of the agreement including pricing, and cited Vitol's 2020 admission of bribery in three countries.
The government is absorbing N$47.2 million in fuel losses in June to maintain current fuel prices despite global oil market volatility. The minister of industries, mines and energy said petrol will remain N$23.48 per litre, diesel 50ppm N$28.26, and diesel 10ppm N$28.36 at Walvis Bay pump prices, with prices across the country unchanged.
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.
Namibia's minister of industries, mines and energy announced that fuel company Vitol will be the only fuel importer allowed to import fuel from July to September, after Vitol agreed to supply fuel without additional premiums that have cost the country hundreds of millions of dollars since March.
Minister of industries, mines and energy Modestus Amutse announced fuel prices will not change in June: petrol remains N$23.48 per litre, diesel 50ppm N$28.26, and diesel 10ppm N$28.36 at Walvis Bay pumps. The government will spend N$47.2 million in June under-recoveries through the National Energy Fund to maintain stable consumer prices and protect fuel supply security.
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.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said at the opening of the Omaludi Agricultural Festival in Ohangwena that development must not come at the expense of cultural identity. She noted the festival boosts the local economy through accommodation, transport, and informal trade, and announced the government will focus on improving existing agricultural schemes rather than establishing new ones.
Namibia's mining sector paid N$7.8 billion in taxes to government in 2025, a 39% increase from N$5.6 billion in 2024, driven largely by corporate income tax from gold mining operations. Royalties rose 9% to N$2.5 billion and export levies increased 90% to N$685 million, while the mining sector's real value added contracted 9.4%.
Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse says his ministry will investigate allegations that CVs submitted by unemployed Namibians to M15 Mining Contractor, a Chinese company working for Osino Resources Corporation in Karibib, were dumped in the open. Amutse described the handling of job seekers' personal information as unacceptable and indicated the Ministry of Labour may also become involved due to both labour and ethical concerns.
Swakopmund will host the Africa Economic Leadership Council conference and expo from 28 to 30 May to promote domestic investment and intra-African trade opportunities under the theme 'Unpacking the AfCFTA and Access to Markets'. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and African Continental Free Trade Area secretary general Wamkele Mene are expected as guests of honour, with about 100 exhibitors and 200 delegates anticipated.
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.
Minister of mines and energy Modestus Amutse told an EU-Namibia business forum that critical raw materials such as uranium, lithium and graphite should be the foundation for industrialisation and integration into global supply chains, not just extraction for export. He said the government aims to attract long-term investors, skills, and technology transfer while developing local value addition in batteries, renewable energy, and nuclear fuel markets.
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.
Rising fuel prices and global supply shocks, driven by conflict around the Strait of Hormuz, are pushing mining companies to rethink operations. Husab mine has introduced a trolley line system that allows trucks to switch from diesel to electricity on steep ramps, reducing fuel consumption and improving efficiency.
Namibia's Minister of Mines and Energy has revised an earlier directive, now allowing fuel stations to fill drums, cans, and other containers with fuel provided customers offer satisfactory explanation—a change that addresses the needs of farmers and business operators who lack Consumer Installation Certificates.
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.
The minister of industries, mines and energy said he would clarify a directive issued Thursday that banned service stations from selling fuel in jerry cans or oil drums, after stakeholders in farming and tourism raised concerns. The ministry said the aim was to prevent panic buying, not to prevent legitimate purchases, though the Fuel and Franchise Association noted most Namibian farmers lack the consumer installation certificates required under the directive's exemption.
Fuel panic buying in April drove consumption to 125 million litres versus the usual 100 million monthly average, forcing the government to pay N$805 million in subsidies through the National Energy Fund instead of the expected N$500 million. To curb hoarding, service stations have been directed to refuel customer vehicles directly only for the next three months.
Minister of Industries Modestus Amutse stated that Namibia currently has the most affordable fuel pump prices among Common Monetary Area (CMA) member states as of May 2026, with petrol at N$23.38 per litre and diesel at N$29.53 per litre, compared to higher prices in South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Namibia's fuel prices increased significantly—petrol by N$1.40 per litre and diesel by N$4.63 per litre effective today—due to conflict around the Strait of Hormuz driving up international oil prices. The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy assured the public that sufficient fuel stocks are available for the next three months and prohibits panic buying to ensure stable supply.
Industries, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse announced a temporary ban on refueling containers, drums, and fuel cans at service stations to prevent panic buying and hoarding following a sharp fuel price increase. The restriction will remain in effect for three months, with an exception for those holding a consumer installation certificate.
Transport and works minister Veikko Nekundi says the ministry will respond as a matter of urgency to a request from taxi drivers for a fare increase. Taxi drivers say fares have not increased since 2021 despite multiple fuel price rises, with the current fare remaining N$13 while petrol costs N$22.08 and diesel costs N$23.