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 · Tshitumbe tshaAmutse · Honourable Tshitumbe tshaAmutse · Minister Tshitumbe tshaAmutse
Industries, Mines and Energy Minister who has called for acceleration of the Baynes Hydropower Project and overseen recent fuel pricing decisions.
News reports
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Informanté
Minister Modestus Amutse signed the Luanda Accord at the African Mining Indaba in Cape Town
“The agreement was signed by Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse at the African Mining Indaba in Cape Town.”
Namibia joins Luanda Accord to boost global demand for natural diamondsInformanté
Amutse said Namibia's participation reflects a shared African position on safeguarding the long-term value of natural diamonds
“Amutse said Namibia's participation reflects a shared African position on safeguarding the long-term value of natural diamonds and ensuring the industry continues to support jobs, communities and national development.”
Namibia joins Luanda Accord to boost global demand for natural diamondsThe Namibian
Modestus Amutse tabled the oil and gas amendment bill in parliament
“The oil and gas amendment bill was tabled in parliament last Tuesday by minister of industries, mines and energy Modestus Amutse.”
Itula slams petroleum bill as threat to parliamentary power, urges withdrawal and constitutional defenceThe Namibian
Modestus Amutse said the bill seeks to modernise and strengthen the Petroleum Act and align governance with international best practices
“Amutse said the bill seeks to modernise and strengthen the existing Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act of 1991.”
Itula slams petroleum bill as threat to parliamentary power, urges withdrawal and constitutional defenceNew Era
Mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse dismissed prevailing fears that placing oil and gas sector under Office of President will weaken his ministry
“Last week, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse dismissed prevailing fears that placing the oil and gas sector under the Office of the President will weaken his ministry or concentrate excessive power in the hands of the president.”
Divided by oilThe 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 National Assembly passed the second reading of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill on Tuesday with 50 lawmakers voting in favour, despite a walkout by most opposition parties. The bill, which proposes shifting certain responsibilities to the President and a new Upstream Petroleum Unit, now proceeds to the committee stage.
7 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
The National Assembly passed the second reading of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill on Tuesday with 50 lawmakers voting in favour, despite a walkout by most opposition parties. The bill, which proposes shifting certain responsibilities to the President and a new Upstream Petroleum Unit, now proceeds to the committee stage.
7 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
Mines and Industries Minister Modestus Amutse has called for urgent implementation of the long-delayed Baynes Binational Hydropower Project, saying Namibia and Angola must accelerate it toward construction to strengthen electricity security and support regional industrial development.
20 October 2026 · New Era →
Industries, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse has called for Namibia and Angola to move from feasibility studies to construction of the Baynes Binational Hydropower Project on the Cunene River. The 600MW scheme, whose intergovernmental implementation agreement was signed in November 2024, would supply power equally to both nations through their national utilities.
19 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The US Trade and Development Agency announced fiscal year 2026 results showing one of its strongest returns in its 34-year history, with US$203 in US exports for every dollar programmed. Since its establishment in 1992, USTDA has facilitated nearly US$134 billion in US exports to infrastructure projects it has supported in emerging markets.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Speaking at the Namibia Electricity Supply Industry Forum in Windhoek, Amutse said electricity affordability should be measured by whether households can pay for sufficient electricity while still covering necessities such as food and rent.
15 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
McHenry Venaani, PDM leader, challenged mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse to explain what has happened to diamonds valued at approximately N$314 million stolen from Namibia Diamond Trading Company in January 2025, questioning whether they have entered international markets and criticizing the lack of progress in the investigation.
15 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani has proposed that between 2% and 5% of mining royalties could be channelled directly to communities living around mining operations through community trusts to ensure local residents benefit from resource extraction.
12 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibian Competition Commission's independence is undermined by a legal framework that allows the industries minister to override its decisions, as exemplified by the minister's approval of a cement merger that the commission disapproved and the High Court later rejected.
11 October 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called on mining companies to stop keeping workers on temporary contracts for extended periods and instead provide permanent employment, saying workers deserve decent and secure jobs that allow them to improve their quality of life. She made the remarks during the opening of the Kunene Mining Summit, which brought together investors, traditional authorities, and political leaders to discuss the region's mining potential and sustainable economic growth.
9 October 2026 · New Era →
Industries, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse has warned mining companies against using temporary employment and subcontracting arrangements as cheap labour, saying the sector must create meaningful employment and improve working conditions. He cited concerns about workers being rotated between contractors instead of receiving permanent positions, and raised safety issues affecting small-scale miners.
9 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Construction Industries Federation supports a High Court decision that reversed industries minister Modestus Amutse's approval of a merger between Namibia's two cement companies, arguing that cement is too important to the construction and infrastructure sectors to be treated as a purely commercial transaction. The court found that Amutse had not considered objections against the proposed acquisition of Ohorongo Cement by Whale Rock Cement.
8 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Ferdinand Hengombe is demanding to know whether industries, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse will be held liable for costs arising from his decision to overturn the Namibian Competition Commission's rejection of the proposed Cheetah Cement and Ohorongo Cement merger, following a High Court judgment that found Amutse's decision unlawful and invalid.
8 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Industries minister Modestus Amutse announced that diesel prices would be held steady at N$27.86 and N$27.96 per litre for October to support industrial production, but analysts say the freeze offers limited relief to transport operators already struggling with costs N$8 per litre higher than at the start of the year.
7 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The High Court overturned the industries minister's approval of a merger between Whale Rock Cement and Ohorongo Cement after the minister admitted an administrative error meant objections from interested parties never reached him. The Namibian Competition Commission had previously prohibited the merger due to concerns about job losses and a monopoly in the cement market.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Justice James Robertson Devittie overturned the minister of industries, mines and energy's June 2026 decision to approve a proposed cement merger, restoring the Namibian Competition Commission's original prohibition of the transaction. The court declared the minister's determination unlawful and invalid following an urgent review application by ITE Products, Pharaoh Cement, and the Construction Industries Federation of Namibia.
6 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
IPC shadow minister Rodney Cloete is demanding that the government explain Namibia's position on the proposed sale of De Beers, citing Botswana's parliament being informed while Namibia's has not been. Cloete questions whether Namibia was approached to join the Global Diamond Consortium bidding for Anglo American's 85% stake, and seeks clarity on the diamond sales agreement with De Beers that expired in May.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →
A fuel supply agreement with Vitol saved Namibia between N$400 million and N$700 million over four months (July–October 2026) by eliminating additional premiums that fuel importers normally add to the basic price, the Industries, Mines and Energy Minister announced on Friday.
5 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's diesel prices will remain unchanged for October while petrol 95 increases by N$1.50 per litre from 7 October, providing relief to the industrial economy dependent on diesel for transport, mining, construction, agriculture and power generation.
5 October 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy announced that Petrol 95 will increase by N$1.50 per litre to N$26.58 from 7 October 2026, while Diesel 50 ppm and Diesel 10 ppm prices remain unchanged at N$27.86 and N$27.96 per litre respectively. The decision followed a review of international oil prices, exchange rates, and import costs, with the ministry recording significant increases in international petroleum prices driven by geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.
2 October 2026 · Informanté →
Petrol prices will increase by N$1.50 per litre on Wednesday while diesel prices remain unchanged for October, energy minister Modestus Amutse announced Friday. The minister cited volatile international oil markets, geopolitical tensions, increased shipping costs, and a weaker Namibia dollar as drivers of the petrol price rise.
2 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Professor Job Shipululo Amupanda, addressing the National Assembly on 30 September 2026, challenged the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill 2025, arguing that the government's defence of the Bill contradicts its actual text and calling for a constitutional review rather than reliance on the Bill's stated intentions.
2 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Deputy Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Gaudentia Kröhne has called for affordable and reliable electricity to drive Namibia's industrial growth, speaking at the launch of NamPower's Integrated Strategic Business Plan 2026–2030.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
The Bank of Namibia's 2026 Annual Symposium examined how Namibia should prepare for potential oil production, with the Governor identifying three key priorities: developing domestic skills and entrepreneurship, strengthening institutions and regulatory frameworks, and creating stronger links between the petroleum sector and the wider economy.
30 September 2026 · Informanté →
The oil and gas sector attracted approximately N$74.4 billion in foreign direct investment between 2021 and 2025, representing roughly 56% of total FDI inflows. Bank of Namibia officials discussed institutional, regulatory and economic readiness ahead of first oil production, emphasizing capacity-building, revenue management, local participation, and skills development.
28 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Industries minister Modestus Amutse has defended his June 2026 decision to allow Whale Rock Cement to acquire Schwenk Namibia—which owns the majority of Ohorongo Cement—saying he weighed employment protection against the disadvantages of business closure. A South African customer, iTE Products, has sued him in the High Court, claiming to have submitted objections that the minister said he did not receive, with the case scheduled for 1 October.
24 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Energy minister Modestus Amutse has urged regional electricity distributors to abandon slow processes and ensure timely delivery of electricity projects.
24 September 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy announced that TotalEnergies has been selected as the sole supplier of Namibia's bulk petrol and diesel for November 2026 to January 2027. New oil player Nasan Energies, founded in late 2024 and majority-owned by Millennium Group chief executive Miguel Hamutenya, participated in the bidding round, while state-owned Namcor did not.
23 September 2026 · The Namibian →
TotalEnergies has been awarded a contract to supply Namibia with petrol and diesel from November 2026 to January 2027, offering discounts of 61 cents per litre on diesel and 71 cents on petrol against the Basic Fuel Price, with an estimated saving of N$220.5 million over the contract period covering approximately 345.3 million litres.
23 September 2026 · New Era →
Namibia has selected a TotalEnergies-led group to supply bulk petrol and diesel for three months from November to January, covering approximately 345 million litres with expected savings of about N$220.5 million through an average discount of 63.85 cents per litre.
22 September 2026 · Informanté →
TotalEnergies will supply all petroleum and diesel to Namibia from November 2026 to January 2027, offering discounts of 61 cents per litre on diesel and 71 cents per litre on petrol, saving the government approximately N$220.5 million over the three-month period.
21 September 2026 · The Namibian →