Namibia Minute.
24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
Windhoek—:—London—:—New York—:—Beijing—:—
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.

Business

Fuel panic buying surges ahead of April price increases

The News

Motorists queued at service stations across Namibia yesterday to fill up before fuel prices rise by N$2.50 per litre for petrol and N$4 per litre for diesel on 1 April, prompting panic buying, hoarding, and complaints that wholesalers are withholding contracted supplies to profit from higher prices. The government says sufficient stocks exist and has reduced levies by 50%, but restrictions on bulk purchases by retailers like Agra are disrupting farming operations.

2 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 April

  1. Fuel panic buying surges ahead of April price increases

    Motorists queued at service stations across Namibia yesterday to fill up before fuel prices rise by N$2.50 per litre for petrol and N$4 per litre for diesel on 1 April, prompting panic buying, hoarding, and complaints that wholesalers are withholding contracted supplies to profit from higher prices. The government says sufficient stocks exist and has reduced levies by 50%, but restrictions on bulk purchases by retailers like Agra are disrupting farming operations.

    2 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Nasan Energies appeals five-year fuel sourcing ban from Vitol

    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.

    2 April 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Mines ministry charts 2025–30 strategy on local content and industrialisation

    The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy unveiled a five-year strategic plan targeting local content development, capacity building, and value addition in mining and green industries. The plan aims to reposition the ministry as a driver of industrialisation while supporting sustainable resource management, renewable energy, and investment in micro, small and medium enterprises.

    2 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 1 April

  1. Energy ministry orders fuel supplies as motorists face empty stations

    The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy issued a late-evening directive ordering fuel wholesalers and retailers to stop withholding oil supplies ahead of a price increase, after motorists faced long queues and empty service stations. Energy Minister Modestus Amutse warned that artificially creating fuel shortages for profit would result in punitive action, and required wholesalers to deliver outstanding orders and retailers to maintain normal sales volumes.

    1 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 31 March

  1. MIME reveals five-year plan for mineral value-addition

    The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy unveiled a 2025/26–2029/30 strategic plan to transform Namibia from a raw commodity exporter into a value-driven industrial economy, prioritising local content, beneficiation, and capacity-building in mining and green industries. The strategy aims to develop domestic processing capabilities for minerals including uranium, diamonds, and rare earths, supported by an Industrial Upgrading and Modernisation Programme for small enterprises, while balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship.

    31 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Economists warn government fuel subsidy unsustainable

    The government's N$500 million monthly fuel subsidy in response to rising oil prices is unsustainable and will not effectively help the poorest Namibians, according to economists. Several specialists argue direct cash grants to low-income groups would be more effective than broad price subsidies, while transport operators warn of industry strain from the fuel increases.

    31 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 30 March

  1. Middle East tensions drive Namibia fuel price surge, government responds

    Escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are pushing global oil prices higher, affecting Namibia's fuel costs. The Namibian government has temporarily reduced fuel levies by 50% through June and is using the National Energy Fund to cushion price volatility, though economists warn of potential inflationary impacts on transport, production, and household costs if prices remain elevated.

    30 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Mineworkers union raises retrenchment concerns to mines minister

    The Mineworkers Union of Namibia met with mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse to voice concerns about sector-wide retrenchments and precarious employment conditions in the diamond cutting and polishing industry, calling for urgent policy reforms including the pending Diamond Bill and institutionalised tripartite engagement.

    30 March 2026 · New Era →

  3. Minister confirms adequate fuel stocks despite Middle East tensions

    Minister Modestus Amutse briefed the media that Namibia's fuel supply remains stable with adequate stocks to meet demand for one to two months, and that the main risk from global geopolitical tensions is price-related rather than supply-related. The government has reduced fuel levies by 50% and the National Energy Fund will absorb under-recoveries of approximately N$500 million monthly for at least three months to protect consumers from price volatility.

    30 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 28 March

  1. Fuel prices rise sharply in April amid Middle East supply pressures

    Petrol will increase by N$2.50 per litre and diesel by N$4 per litre on 1 April, announced by the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, citing increased shipping and insurance costs following disruption to Middle East oil routes. The Opposition IPC criticizes the hike as an assault on struggling Namibians, while the government says it is providing relief through a 50% cut in fuel levies and N$500 million support from the National Energy Fund.

    28 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Namibia Minute