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Thursday, 22 October 2026
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parliamentary standing committee on natural resources

Parliamentary standing committee on natural resources — conducts oversight of Namibia's mining, petroleum, agricultural, and conservation sectors, issuing findings and recommendations to parliament.

2026-02-052026-10-22
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News reports

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  1. October 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Dr Tobie Ocean Aupindi as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources engaged with governments and institutions in other resource-rich countries

    Source

    “I have had the privilege, as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, to engage with governments and institutions in other resource-rich countries.”

    Dr Tobie Aupindi Backs Petroleum Amendment Bill, Calls for Strong Governance and Oversight
  3. August 2026

  4. The Namibian

    Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources made a recent visit to the Kunene region

    Source

    “The recent visit by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources to the Kunene region comes at an important time.”

    Kunene Has the Minerals. Is the System Ready?

  5. The Namibian

    The committee visited several mining sites in Erongo Region

    Source

    “The committee visited several mining sites and engaged small-scale miners and traditional leaders, among others, as part of its assessment of the sector.”

    Parliament committee calls for urgent overhaul of small scale mining sector

  6. New Era

    Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources visited Okarikua Mining at Ohungurume Village to assess concerns

    Source

    “This prompted the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources to question what is happening at the site.”

    MPs unearth ‘illicit’ Kunene mines
  7. July 2026

  8. Windhoek Observer

    Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources concluded oversight visit to key agricultural projects in Hardap Region

    Source

    “The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has concluded an oversight visit to key agricultural projects in the Hardap Region.”

    MPs oversee agricultural facilities in Hardap region

  9. Windhoek Observer

    The committee said it will incorporate findings from the visit into its report to parliament on strengthening agricultural output and food security

    Source

    “The committee said it will incorporate findings from the visit into its report to parliament on strengthening agricultural output and food security in Namibia.”

    MPs oversee agricultural facilities in Hardap region
  10. March 2026

  11. Informanté

    Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has said it supports continuation of uranium mining by Headspring Investments in Leonardville area

    Source

    “THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has said that it supports the continuation of uranium mining activities by Headspring Investments (Pty) Ltd in the Leonardville area in the Omaheke Region.”

    Parliamentary committee urges continuation of Russian companies mining near Stampriet aquifer

  12. New Era

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has thrown its weight behind uranium exploration activities by Rosatom in Leonardville

    Source

    “The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has thrown its weight behind uranium exploration activities by Rosatom in Leonardville, saying the project could unlock billions of dollars for Namibia and create thousands of jobs.”

    MPs back Leonardville uranium project …Rosatom promises a US$5b investment
  13. February 2026

  14. Informanté

    Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has highlighted NIDA requires more than N$500 million in funding to sustain projects

    Source

    “THE Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has highlighted that the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (NIDA) requires more than N$500 million in funding to sustain its projects.”

    Financial strain threatens NIDA projects

  15. New Era

    Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources attributed Zambezi region's 15 conservancies' N$30m income to CBNRM programme

    Source

    “In a recent report, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources attributed the results to the Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programme, which empowers rural communities and contributes to poverty alleviation.”

    Zambezi conservancies pockets N$30m
Mining & Energy

Dr Aupindi backs Petroleum Amendment Bill, emphasizes governance

The News

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 →

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 →

Friday 4 September

  1. Uis woman sells semi-precious stones for four decades

    Elsie Uxams, a retired school matron, has sold semi-precious stones—tourmaline, Agat, amethyst, crystals and rose quartz—from a roadside stall in the Dâures area for almost 40 years, operating largely on trust by allowing customers to leave payment in a bucket when she is not present.

    4 September 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 18 August

  1. Kunene mineral boom raises readiness questions for region

    Kunene is emerging as Namibia's next mining frontier, with 2,438 mineral rights and applications as of 24 June, but questions arise about whether the region's regulatory systems are prepared for the level of mineral development interest and investor competition now directed toward the area.

    18 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 16 August

  1. Parliament committee urges reform of small-scale mining sector

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, following an oversight visit to mining sites in Erongo Region, calls for urgent legislative and institutional reforms to address challenges and unlock the potential of Namibia's small-scale mining sector. Key issues include disputes between Exclusive Prospecting Licence holders and mining claim holders, and the need to amend mineral laws to formally recognize small-scale mining as integral to socio-economic development.

    16 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 12 August

  1. Parliamentary committee questions two-year testing period at Kunene mine

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources visited Okarikua Mining in Opuwo and found that the operation has reportedly conducted testing activities for about two years, with piles of copper-bearing rocks on site and questions raised about whether production may be taking place under the guise of testing. The committee also raised concerns about worker safety, welfare, and Ministry of Mines and Energy oversight.

    12 August 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 23 July

  1. Parliamentary committee criticises Hardap Green Scheme management

    The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has criticised the management of government green schemes, describing conditions at the Hardap Green Scheme as "a disaster" due to poor maintenance, mismanagement, and lack of proper governance, following an oversight visit to agricultural projects in Hardap Region.

    23 July 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 22 July

  1. NIDA's struggles limit Naute Farm's contribution to development

    NIDA oversees grape and date farming operations at Naute Farm in //Kharas Region that produce world-class products with significant potential, but the agency's financial and operational challenges constrain the farm from realising its full potential for socio-economic development and job creation.

    22 July 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 20 July

  1. Namibia stakes 24% of Hyphen hydrogen project, expands uranium exploration

    Namibia's government holds a 24% equity stake in the Hyphen Green Hydrogen Project through the Sovereign Wealth Fund, with its share funded through grants from development partners. The country is also expanding uranium exploration in the Omaheke Region and Nasan Energies has acquired 52 service stations to become Namibia's third-largest oil marketing company.

    20 July 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 19 July

  1. Parliamentary committee assesses agricultural projects in Hardap

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has concluded an oversight visit to agricultural projects in Hardap Region, including the Hardap Green Scheme, ROOTS Project, and Namib Dairies Super Farm. The committee commended the efficiency and innovation of privately managed enterprises and said it will incorporate findings into a report to parliament on strengthening agricultural output and food security.

    19 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 26 May

  1. Parliamentary committee chair calls for greater Namibian participation in mining, energy

    Dr Tobie Ocean Aupindi, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources, has advocated for greater Namibian representation in management structures and increased participation by local entrepreneurs and professionals in the mining, oil, gas and energy industries. He also proposed that Namibia receive dividends in physical commodities such as gold, uranium, or lithium to build strategic national reserves.

    26 May 2026 · Informanté →

Sunday 8 March

  1. Parliament backs Russian uranium mining near Stampriet aquifer

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has endorsed the continuation of uranium mining by Headspring Investments, a subsidiary of Russian state-owned Rosatom, in the Leonardville area despite environmental concerns about contamination of the Stampriet aquifer. The committee chair argues that uranium is a natural resource already present in the area and that In-Situ Recovery technology, refined over 50 years, should be allowed to proceed to acquire scientific knowledge and enable Namibia to develop its nuclear industry.

    8 March 2026 · Informanté →

Thursday 5 March

  1. Parliamentary committee endorses Rosatom uranium project in Leonardville

    Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has backed uranium exploration by Russian state-owned Rosatom in the Omaheke region, citing potential for billions in investment and thousands of jobs, though the project faces resistance from environmentalists and farmers concerned about groundwater contamination.

    5 March 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 10 February

  1. Parliamentary committee warns NIDA needs N$500 million funding

    Parliament's Standing Committee on Natural Resources has flagged that the Namibia Industrial Development Agency requires over N$500 million in funding to sustain its 148 nationwide properties, with an additional N$550 million capital injection needed for its strategic business plan and N$29.7 million to clear utility arrears. The agency faces operational challenges including electricity and water disconnections across 69 and 89 parks respectively, delayed policy implementation on diamonds and special economic zones, and mounting utility costs.

    10 February 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 9 February

  1. Zambezi conservancies earn N$30 million in 2024

    Communal conservancies in the Zambezi region generated approximately N$30 million in 2024 through the Community-Based Natural Resource Management programme, with income sourced from trophy hunting, tourism joint ventures, and interest. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources noted that conservancy members now directly benefit from 50% of income, though the report flagged concerns about hunting quota prices being manipulated in favour of concessionaires and called for programme realignment.

    9 February 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 8 February

  1. Kalimbeza Rice Project halted by funding gaps and equipment breakdown

    Parliament's Natural Resources Committee found the Kalimbeza Project constrained by inconsistent funding, broken machinery, and inadequate storage, with 180 tonnes of harvested rice from October 2024 remaining unprocessed due to a non-functional processing machine and cash flow problems. The Committee recommended a turnaround strategy involving root cause analysis, debt reduction, operational reforms, and new market strategies for the project and other Green Schemes nationwide.

    8 February 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 7 February

  1. Environment ministry faces N$165m funding shortfall for conservation

    Namibia's Ministry of Environment and Tourism faces a N$165 million funding gap that threatens conservation efforts across 21 protected areas, with immediate shortfalls of N$45 million for anti-poaching equipment and N$120 million for park infrastructure upgrades. A parliamentary committee has recommended increased tourism concession fees, biodiversity offset mechanisms, and private sector partnerships to close the gap.

    7 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 6 February

  1. Parliament calls for stronger natural resources policies and funding

    Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has recommended stronger policies, funding, and inter-ministerial collaboration to unlock the country's resource potential and align sector strategies with national development priorities including Vision 2030. The mining sector contributed 13.3% to GDP in 2024, while the government received N$7.32 billion in mining revenue, but challenges persist in land reform, energy, and conservation funding.

    6 February 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 5 February

  1. Nida requires N$550m for strategic plan and utility arrears

    The Namibia Industrial Development Agency needs at least N$550 million to implement its integrated strategic business plan and N$29.7 million to clear outstanding utility arrears, according to a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources report. Nida faces operational challenges including an N$102 million operating loss in 2024, electricity disconnection at 69 industrial parks, and water debt at 89 properties.

    5 February 2026 · New Era →

parliamentary standing committee on natural resources — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute