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 · Honourable Modestus Amutse
Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy leading Namibia's oil and gas sector development and energy policy.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Modestus Amutse said the bill seeks to modernise and strengthen the Petroleum Act of 1991
“When the bill was tabled on 4 February, minister of industries, mines and energy Modestus Amutse said the bill seeks to modernise and strengthen the Petroleum Act of 1991, enhance institutional capacity, ensure regulatory clarity, and align Namibia's petroleum governance with international best practice while maintaining accountability to parliament and the public.”
Pause the Petroleum Amendment Bill: Why Namibia Must Take Time to Get It RightThe Namibian
Modestus Amutse made remarks about Namibia's commitment to African diamond cooperation
“Minister of industries, mines and energy Modestus Amutse made these remarks at the Luanda Accord High level follow-up meeting yesterday, held on the sidelines of the Mining Indaba underway in South Africa.”
Namibia pushes for united African diamondsThe Namibian
Modestus Amutse said Namibia strongly supports development of unified African strategy for promoting natural diamonds
“"Namibia strongly supports the development of a unified African strategy for promoting natural diamonds through the Luanda Accord," he said.”
Namibia pushes for united African diamondsInformanté
Minister Modestus Amutse expressed concern over unauthorised acquisition by TotalEnergies with Galp in PEL83
“THE Namibian Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, has expressed concern over an unauthorised acquisition made by TotalEnergies with Galp Energies, in which it acquired a 40% operated interest in PEL83, holding the Mopane discovery, while Galp will acquire a 10% participating interest in PEL56, holding the Venus discovery.”
Mines, Energy expresses concern over unauthorised acquisition of interests by TotalEnergies in oil blocksNew Era
Modestus Amutse was recently appointed Minister of Mines, Energy, and Industry
“Lastly, the Namibian Mineworkers' Union welcomes the recent appointment of the Minister of Mines, Energy, and Industry, Modestus Amutse, and wishes him success in his new role.”
Opinion – New Year of empowerment, recommitment as mine workersThe Namibian
Modestus Amutse tabled the oil and gas amendment bill in the National Assembly
“This follows minister of industries, mines and energy Modestus Amutse's tabling of the oil and gas amendment bill in the National Assembly yesterday.”
Opposition warns Namibia’s new oil bill could fuel Fishrot-style corruption under PresidencyThe Namibian
Modestus Amutse defended placing upstream petroleum powers under Office of the President
“Mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse has defended the decision to place new upstream petroleum powers under the Office of the President.”
Amutse defends vesting of oil powers in PresidencyThe Namibian
Modestus Amutse rejected claims that the move concentrates too much power in the Presidency
“Speaking to Desert FM on Thursday, Amutse rejected claims that the move concentrates too much power in the Presidency.”
Amutse defends vesting of oil powers in PresidencyInformanté
Minister Modestus Amutse read the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill of 2025 in Parliament
“Modestus Amutse, the Mines and Energy Minister, in Parliament on 4 February 2026, read the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill of 2025, which seeks to modernise and strengthen the existing Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act of 1991.”
New Petroleum Bill requires disclosure of oil interests by top officialsThe Namibian
Minister Modestus Amutse set to table the petroleum bill today
“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.”
Namibia petroleum bill: MPs vow to scrutinise transfer of power to presidencyEscalating Middle East conflict and global oil supply disruptions have driven up international crude prices, with petrol increasing by 60c and diesel by 160c per litre as of 2 September. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 25% of the world's oil supplies, has caused oil prices to spike to around US$120 a barrel.
31 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Escalating Middle East conflict and global oil supply disruptions have driven up international crude prices, with petrol increasing by 60c and diesel by 160c per litre as of 2 September. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about 25% of the world's oil supplies, has caused oil prices to spike to around US$120 a barrel.
31 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, speaking at the Offshore Northern Seas Summit in Norway, urged international investors to explore Namibia's emerging oil and gas opportunities, noting that the country has moved beyond exploration to the development phase with recent discoveries in the Orange Basin including Venus, where partners plan a floating production system with approximately 160,000 barrels per day capacity.
30 August 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's energy ministry will increase petrol prices by 60 cents per litre to N$25.08 and diesel by N$1.60 per litre effective September 2, citing volatile international oil markets and a 30-cent increase in road user charge levies to fund feeder road projects.
28 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has announced fuel price increases effective from midnight 2 September 2026: ULP95 will increase by 60 cents per litre, while Diesel 50ppm and Diesel 10ppm will each increase by 160 cents per litre. The revised pump prices at Walvis Bay will be N$25.08 per litre for Petrol 95, N$27.86 per litre for Diesel 50ppm, and N$27.96 per litre for Diesel 10ppm.
28 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Bank of Namibia plans to introduce digital money on mobile phones by next June to expand financial inclusion and improve instant payments, with initial use for government-to-person transactions followed by person-to-person transfers. The central bank governor said the digital system will help formalise the informal economy by creating transaction histories that businesses can use to obtain loans from banks.
27 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has launched the National Steering Committee on the Informal Economy to provide advice on policies and strategies and coordinate government interventions in formalizing the informal economy. The committee, composed of representatives from various ministries, the central bank, and sector associations, aims to improve access to markets, finance, infrastructure, and services while fostering linkages between informal enterprises and larger industries.
27 August 2026 · Informanté →
Minister Modestus Amutse is participating in the week-long Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) Summit in Stavanger, Norway, to strengthen international partnerships and draw on global experience as Namibia develops its emerging oil and gas sector. The forum brings together government leaders, executives and policymakers to discuss global energy trends, energy security, technological developments and sustainability.
25 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Ministry of Mines and Energy defended its three-month fuel supply deal with Vitol, stating the jet fuel shortage affecting the country since last week results from a failed quality inspection of a Puma-Vivo fuel shipment, not the government arrangement which covers only petrol and diesel.
25 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister Modestus Amutse officially inaugurated the National Steering Committee on the Informal Economy in Windhoek on Friday, a 35-member body chaired by Diina Nashidengo. According to the minister, 58% of the workforce is employed in the informal sector, with 59% in rural areas.
21 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Vivo Energy Namibia detected and quarantined off-spec Jet A-1 fuel destined for Hosea Kutako International Airport, causing aviation fuel shortages that forced some long-haul flights to reroute to Angola. The Namibia Airports Company says it is coordinating with fuel suppliers and stakeholders to manage the situation.
21 August 2026 · Informanté →
At the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse reassured investors that policy uncertainty will not derail Namibia's most advanced offshore oil projects, citing institutional, policy, and fiscal certainty. The move of upstream petroleum control from the energy ministry to the Office of the Presidency is a deliberate realignment to protect the sector, Amutse said, while a new local content policy approved this month provides investors with clear expectations.
20 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Vice President Lucia Witbooi said Namibia's oil discoveries will be measured on how many Namibian lives they improve, and called on Namibians to actively participate in developing the emerging oil and gas industry to create employment, skills, and infrastructure.
20 August 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's Cabinet has approved the National Upstream Petroleum Local Content Policy, designed to increase Namibian participation across the petroleum value chain through local business development, employment, skills transfer, and procurement access. The government aims to move from exploration to production between 2026 and 2030, prioritising local employment, suppliers, and skills development.
20 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
At the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2026, Honourable Modestus Amutse, Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, called on Namibia to be ready for first oil and to maximise local benefits from the industry, addressing discoveries in the Orange Basin.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Special Advisor Kornelia Shilunga outlined Namibia's vision for converting oil and gas sector decisions into national benefits at the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2026.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The government has established a National Technical Committee on Institutionalisation of the Informal Economy to design inclusive legal frameworks and budget for social protection and financial inclusion for the informal sector, which accounts for about 57% of Namibian employment according to informal economy advocates.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →
A US delegation led by Ambassador John Giordano, including officials from the State Department's energy and trade agencies, held high-level meetings with Namibian government officials and industry leaders to expand cooperation in energy security, critical minerals, infrastructure, and emerging technologies. The delegation also represented the US at the Namibian Mining Expo and met with the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy to discuss opportunities in these sectors.
18 August 2026 · Informanté →
According to The Namibian, escalating conflict between the US and Iran has sent global energy prices soaring and disrupted maritime chokepoints critical to petroleum supply in southern Africa, causing measurable increases in fuel, food, and transport costs that are eroding household incomes across Namibia.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah opened the 13th Chamber of Mines Mining Expo and Conference, themed "From Dialogue to Delivery: Assessing Progress in Creating Mining-Led Economic Growth and Employment Since NamPPF." The President stated that the mining sector remains one of Namibia's leading economic sectors towards Vision 2030.
5 August 2026 · The Namibian →
Petrol and diesel prices will increase by N$2 per litre from 5 August 2026 after the Government reinstated fuel levies that had been temporarily reduced to cushion motorists against global oil price shocks. Petrol 95 will rise to N$24.48 per litre, while Diesel 50ppm and 10ppm will rise to N$26.36 per litre.
31 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibia Competition Commission has objected to the proposed acquisition of Schwenk Namibia by West China Cement (Whale Rock Cement), based on stakeholder input and competition law concerns including market concentration.
28 July 2026 · The Namibian →
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.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Members of Parliament have challenged the incoming Anti-Corruption Commission leadership to demonstrate independence and impartiality, with lawmakers warning that the institution's credibility depends on investigating corruption without fear or favour. Swapo MP Tobie Aupindi criticized the outgoing ACC leadership and alleged the commission had been weaponized to settle political scores and applied investigations selectively.
14 July 2026 · New Era →
The Construction Industries Federation of Namibia has called for the Ohorongo-Cheetah cement merger to be withdrawn following Industries, Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse's decision to overturn the Namibia Competition Commission's block on the transaction, warning it threatens competition, local contractors, and SMEs despite conditions aimed at preventing job losses and preserving production.
13 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse has approved the merger between Nasan Energies and the divestiture business from Vivo Energy and Engen Namibia, while suspending enforcement of several conditions imposed by the Namibia Competition Commission. The decision follows a review application by Nasan Energies in April; the merger involved Nasan acquiring 52 Shell and Engen service stations divested as a competition remedy after Vivo Energy acquired Engen's downstream fuel business.
13 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Namibian's editorial argues that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's visit to China offers an opportunity for Namibia to learn from Beijing's economic reforms in artificial intelligence, agriculture, and energy, while remaining cautious about China's record on human rights and debt practices in developing countries.
12 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has accused the government of weakening fuel-sector competition by suspending restrictions on Nasan Energies sourcing fuel from Vitol. The restrictions were imposed by the Namibian Competition Commission in April over concerns the deal would substantially lessen competition, but line minister Modestus Amutse suspended them under Section 49 of the Competition Act; IPC claims Vitol already controls between 75% and 85% of Namibia's wholesale fuel market.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's energy minister has suspended competition commission conditions that prohibited Nasan Energies from buying fuel from Vitol for five years following its acquisition of 42 service stations from Vivo Energy in May. The suspension is temporary and attributed to concerns about the state's fuel import costs and the financial strain on the National Energy Fund.
6 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Ohorongo Cement says its merger with Schwenk Namibia's Cheetah Cement, approved with conditions by the minister of industries, mines and energy, will not result in job losses but will involve staff relocation from Otjiwarongo to Otavi and increased local ownership requirements.
3 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The government spent N$1.3 billion in two months to keep fuel prices low, draining the National Energy Fund to between N$200 million and N$300 million. Heavy spending began in April when international fuel costs rose, with the government paying N$805 million in April and N$490 million in May.
2 July 2026 · The Namibian →