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Friday, 23 October 2026
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Friday, 23 October 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Office of the President

Namibian governmental institution acquiring oversight powers in petroleum affairs through proposed legislative amendments; focal point for centralized oil and gas governance.

2023-11-262026-10-23
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News reports

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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. October 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Office of the President will receive power over petroleum exploration from Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy

    Source

    “The passing of the law will move power over petroleum exploration from the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy to the Office of the President, a move that has been heavily criticised by opposition parliamentarians and civil society.”

    Petroleum bill approved

  3. New Era

    Office of the President is planned to be appealed to for assistance with medical costs

    Source

    “Hishi's lawyer is preparing to approach the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and relatives plan to appeal to banks, companies and the Office of the President, backed by the medical report.”

    Mother pleads for kidney transplant for son needs over N$2m if done in South Africa
  4. September 2026

  5. The Namibian

    Office of the President has been linked to green hydrogen programme through role of green hydrogen commissioner

    Source

    “Green hydrogen has been strongly linked to the Office of the President through the role of the green hydrogen commissioner, who also serves as presidential economic adviser.”

    Pro Bono Part 2: Petroleum bill risks centralising power in Presidency
  6. July 2026

  7. Windhoek Observer

    Office of the President met with NOGC delegation ahead of conference

    Source

    “The delegation, accompanied by strategic partners of the conference, paid a courtesy visit to Kornelia Shilunga, special advisor and head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President, as part of ongoing efforts to ensure that the conference remains aligned with Namibia's national priorities in the oil and gas sector.”

    NOGC delegation meets upstream unit ahead of conference

  8. Informanté

    Office of the President has officially confirmed President to deliver Presidential Keynote Address at 3rd Youth in Oil & Gas Summit 2026

    Source

    “The Youth in Oil & Gas Summit has announced that Her Excellency Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, has been officially confirmed by the Office of the President to deliver the Presidential Keynote Address at the 3rd Youth in Oil & Gas Summit, taking place in Walvis Bay from 23 to 25 July 2026.”

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah confirmed to deliver Presidential Keynote Address at the 3rd Youth in Oil & Gas Summit 2026
  9. June 2026

  10. New Era

    Office of the President issued clear directives that all San community members must be registered and documented

    Source

    “Hafeni said implementation has stalled despite clear directives from the Office of the President that all San community members must be registered and documented.”

    Omega 1 threatens revolt over poor services
  11. May 2026

  12. The Namibian

    Office of the President is proposed to receive major shift of authority in petroleum governance under the amendment bill

    Source

    “At the centre of the current proposal is a major shift of authority towards the Office of the President and the Upstream Petroleum Unit.”

    Part 1. The Petroleum Amendment Bill and Constitutional Governance
  13. April 2026

  14. The Namibian

    Office of the President received transfer of divisions of marginalised communities and disability affairs

    Source

    “He said the president has transferred the divisions of marginalised communities and disability affairs from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare to the Office of the President, placing them under the direct supervision of the vice president's office.”

    VP’s deputy pick slammed as encouraging bureaucracy
  15. March 2026

  16. The Namibian

    Office of the President revealed N$20 million allocation to upstream petroleum unit

    Source

    “The motivation budget of the Office of the President, tabled on Wednesday by prime minister Elijah Ngurare, revealed an allocation of N$1.2 billion for the 2026/27 fiscal year, including N$20 million that the opposition had questioned.”

    IPC MPs slams N$20 million allocation to non-existent upstream petroleum unit

  17. The Namibian

    The bill seeks to put under the oil and gas sector under the Office of the President

    Source

    “The bill seeks to put the oil and gas sector under the Office of the President.”

    Petroleum bill dubbed a repeat of ‘fisheries' dark story’
Politics

NEFF defends support for petroleum bill against opposition criticism

The News

The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters defended its decision to support the petroleum exploration and production amendment bill, the only opposition party to vote with Swapo, saying Namibia's political independence must be matched by economic control of its petroleum resources. The party acknowledged concerns about concentration of authority and political interference but rejected claims its support amounted to surrendering resources to the political elite.

14 hours ago · The Namibian →

Yesterday

  1. NEFF defends support for petroleum bill against opposition criticism

    The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters defended its decision to support the petroleum exploration and production amendment bill, the only opposition party to vote with Swapo, saying Namibia's political independence must be matched by economic control of its petroleum resources. The party acknowledged concerns about concentration of authority and political interference but rejected claims its support amounted to surrendering resources to the political elite.

    14 hours ago · The Namibian →

Wednesday 21 October

  1. National Assembly approves petroleum amendment bill with 50 votes

    The National Assembly has approved the petroleum (exploration and production) amendment bill with 50 votes, backed by Swapo and the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters, while opposition parties walked out in protest. The bill will proceed to committee stage for clause scrutiny before a third reading and presidential assent.

    21 October 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Petroleum Amendment Bill passes second reading with 50 votes

    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.

    21 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 20 October

  1. Kalkfeld mother seeks funds for son's kidney transplant abroad

    A single mother from Kalkfeld is appealing for funds to take her four-year-old son to India for a kidney transplant after doctors diagnosed him with end-stage kidney failure. She has offered to be the donor and says treatment in South Africa would cost over N$2 million.

    20 October 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 15 October

  1. Opposition walkout blocks petroleum bill vote in Parliament

    Opposition parties walked out during voting on the petroleum bill in the National Assembly, leaving only 39 of 49 required members and preventing a vote to proceed. The walkout was a protest against provisions in the bill that would place the upstream petroleum sector under the Office of the President and establish an upstream petroleum unit.

    15 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 9 October

  1. Dr Aupindi backs Petroleum Amendment Bill, emphasizes governance

    Dr Tobie Ocean Aupindi told Parliament on 6 October 2026 that he supports the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill, which establishes an Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President and transfers certain powers from the Minister and Commissioner for Petroleum Affairs to the President and the Unit's leadership. He argued that Namibia requires a governance structure equal to the strategic importance of the petroleum sector as the country prepares for significant oil and gas discoveries and capital investment.

    9 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 8 October

  1. MPs scrutinise oil bill's royalty safeguards and presidential powers

    Parliament has questioned whether the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill adequately protects state revenue as it proposes transferring powers from the minister of industries, mines and energy to the President, including establishment of an Upstream Petroleum Unit in the President's office and changes to oversight of royalties, licences, local content and environmental obligations. PDM Chief Whip Winnie Moongo raised concerns that the bill weakens existing safeguards requiring finance ministry concurrence for royalty decisions.

    8 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 16 September

  1. LPM questions government over oil sector investment delays

    The Landless People's Movement's chief whip is asking the government whether delays in contract negotiations and the planned transfer of petroleum affairs to the Presidency are affecting investor confidence and the final investment decision for oil and gas projects.

    16 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 14 September

  1. Petroleum bill risks centralizing power in Presidency, warns analysis

    A legal analysis cautions that Namibia's proposed petroleum bill could concentrate decision-making authority in the Office of the President, citing the green hydrogen sector as a cautionary example where governance has been driven by executive arrangement rather than settled legal framework, creating accountability gaps and blurring lines between political and regulatory roles.

    14 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 20 August

  1. Oil success measured by benefits to Namibian lives

    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 →

Wednesday 19 August

  1. Minister urges Namibia to prepare for oil production, maximise local benefits

    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 →

Wednesday 22 July

  1. NOGC delegation meets Upstream Petroleum Unit before August 2026

    A delegation from the 4th Namibia Oil & Gas Conference met with the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President to brief officials on conference preparations and expected participation. The conference is scheduled for 18–20 August 2026 in Windhoek under the theme "From Decision to Dividend: Making Namibia's Oil Work for Namibians."

    22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 2 July

  1. President to deliver keynote at Youth in Oil & Gas Summit 2026

    President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been confirmed to deliver the Presidential Keynote Address at the 3rd Youth in Oil & Gas Summit, scheduled for 23–25 July 2026 in Walvis Bay. The summit will focus on developing a globally competitive workforce for Namibia's emerging oil and gas industry under the theme "From Discovery to Development: Talent, Capital and Local Content."

    2 July 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 19 June

  1. Omega 1 community issues five-day ultimatum for ambulance

    The Omega 1 community has issued a five-day ultimatum to authorities, threatening unspecified action if they are not allocated a dedicated ambulance and other services. The Village Development Committee chairperson stated that the community lacks reliable emergency transport, with the nearest hospital more than 70 kilometres away at Andara Health Centre, and that a medical pick-up bakkie previously assigned to the community was recalled.

    19 June 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 11 June

  1. Presidential adviser faces scrutiny over N$15m Agribank debt

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's newly appointed economic adviser Shali Shindume reportedly owes Agribank over N$15 million from a loan obtained while he was the bank's credit manager. Agribank sought High Court action in 2021 over breach of contract, with a settlement agreement requiring Shindume to subdivide his mortgaged farm property and make specified monthly payments.

    11 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 8 June

  1. President appoints retired relative as legal adviser

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed retired chief legal adviser Chris Nghaamwa, her relative, as an adviser to attorney general Festus Mbandeka effective 1 June. State House defended the appointment, stating Nghaamwa's qualifications and experience in government legal roles made him suitable, and that family relationships do not render individuals unsuitable for public service.

    8 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 27 May

  1. Petroleum Amendment Bill raises questions about governance and presidential power

    An opinion article argues that Namibia should not rush to formalize a more centralized petroleum governance structure that would shift authority to the Office of the President and the Upstream Petroleum Unit before parliament and the public fully consider the constitutional and accountability consequences.

    27 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Oil and gas investor backs petroleum reform bill

    Namibian oil and gas investor Knowledge Katti has issued a statement supporting the Petroleum Amendment Bill and the proposed Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President, arguing the reforms are necessary to strengthen oversight, attract investment, and accelerate Namibia's transition to oil production.

    12 May 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 19 April

  1. NFA has land for 10 stadiums but lacks funding

    The Namibia Football Association has secured more than 10 land sites countrywide to build stadiums but lacks the financial resources to develop them, instead seeking external and local investment. The NFA's projects are separate from the government's plan to build 28 stadiums across regions, though the association will provide technical advisory support to ensure compliance with international football standards.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 10 April

  1. Appointment of VP's deputy minister criticised as bureaucratic

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah appointed National Council member Moses //Khumub as deputy minister in the Office of the Vice President, a move that lawmakers have criticised as unnecessary bureaucracy given the limited role of the office. The State House said the deputy minister will provide technical and professional support to Vice President Lucia Witbooi, particularly in overseeing marginalised communities and disability affairs divisions transferred from another ministry.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 1 April

  1. Namibia reviews TotalEnergies' Venus oil development plan

    The Namibian government has begun reviewing a field development plan from TotalEnergies for the Venus oil project, a key step toward formal negotiations and investment approval. The project is projected to generate between N$127 billion and N$229 billion in government revenue over 25 years, potentially accounting for 7.9% to 14.2% of total government income.

    1 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 27 March

  1. Young civil servant drives Kunene Governor's Office operations

    Lahja Nashuuta Alpha Mbanyanda Uzera, a Senior Private Secretary in Kunene's Governor's Office, joined public service in April 2025 and has since contributed to infrastructure projects like the Oute Bridge and youth development programmes. He emphasises the dedication of his office team and plans to pursue postgraduate studies in International Relations with a goal of joining the diplomatic corps.

    27 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. IPC MPs question N$20 million to non-existent petroleum unit

    Opposition parliamentarians in the Independent Patriots for Change criticised the N$20 million allocation to an upstream petroleum unit in the Office of the President's budget, arguing the unit does not yet exist under law and the funding is therefore premature and amounts to corruption. They called for the money to be reallocated to the minister of industries, mines and energy pending passage of the petroleum bill.

    27 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Parliament divided over petroleum bill governance structure

    The petroleum amendment bill, which proposes moving oil and gas sector oversight to the Office of the President, has faced criticism in Parliament for creating a "power vacuum" and concentrating executive control. Critics argue the measure removes ministerial accountability to Parliament and risks elite capture, while the government defends the proposal as necessary modernisation to protect the sector and ensure proper regulation.

    27 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 25 March

  1. MP warns petroleum bill risks repeating fisheries corruption mistakes

    Independent Patriots for Change MP Michael Mulunga argued during National Assembly debate that the petroleum amendment bill, which would place oil and gas under the Office of the President, mirrors the governance failures that led to the 2019 Fishrot scandal. He warned that granting such discretionary powers without proper oversight risks similar corruption and questioned why the bill is urgent when commercial oil production is years away.

    25 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 March

  1. Namibia's Parliament maturing but facing oversight challenges

    Since independence in 1990, Namibia's Parliament has evolved into a democratically elected body and now has its first female speaker, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, elected in March 2025. However, political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah notes that despite its progressive constitutional framework, Parliament has struggled with weak oversight of the executive due to single-party dominance and the executive being drawn directly from Parliament, resulting in limited depth in legislative debate.

    20 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 13 March

  1. Road accidents killed 17 Namibian police officers since 2020

    The Namibian Police Force honoured 17 officers who died in the line of duty between 2020 and the present during an Interpol Blue Day ceremony, with most deaths resulting from motor vehicle accidents, particularly among VIP Directorate members. Safety and security minister Lucia Iipumbu highlighted the need for improved working conditions, mental health support, and enhanced training to address road safety risks and other challenges facing law enforcement.

    13 March 2026 · New Era →

Friday 6 March

  1. Fired minister Ithete unpaid four months despite parliament seat

    Former deputy prime minister Natangwe Ithete has not received his parliamentary salary for four months following his October dismissal from Cabinet, reportedly because the National Assembly has not received an official directive confirming his removal from the executive. Officials cite administrative delays, while a political commentator attributes the delay to institutional incompetence in reintegrating him into the parliamentary payroll system.

    6 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 March

  1. Petroleum bill raises constitutional accountability concerns

    An opinion piece argues that the proposed petroleum amendment bill, which would shift upstream oil governance to the Office of the President through a new Upstream Petroleum Unit, risks concentrating power and eroding parliamentary oversight, drawing parallels to the Fishrot scandal and recommending instead a specialist regulator outside the Presidency with stronger parliamentary accountability and implementation of existing anti-corruption laws.

    2 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 27 February

  1. Petroleum Bill risks weakening oversight by shifting power to Presidency

    An opinion piece argues that the proposed Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill, which would move upstream oil governance from the Ministry of Mines and Energy to the Office of the President, poses constitutional and accountability risks by concentrating discretion outside parliamentary scrutiny and historical safeguards. The author proposes instead creating an independent, specialised upstream regulator outside the Presidency, strengthening conflict-of-interest rules, operationalising dormant accountability laws, and equipping Parliament with resources to oversee the sector.

    27 February 2026 · New Era →

Office of the President — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute