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

Shell

Also known as: international oil and petroleum company Shell · Vivo Energy Kenya

Shell — major international oil and gas operator conducting exploration in Namibia's Orange Basin, with 25 wells drilled over four years.

Mining & Energy

Namibia must build policy institutions before oil success hardens

The News

Namibia's emerging Orange Basin oil and gas discoveries require strong regulatory and policy frameworks before commercial development momentum becomes difficult to redirect. The country must develop technical regulatory strength, clarify its fiscal regime, and build credible local content systems before major projects are sanctioned, drawing lessons from Guyana, Trinidad, Mozambique and other petroleum states.

20 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 20 April

  1. Namibia must build policy institutions before oil success hardens

    Namibia's emerging Orange Basin oil and gas discoveries require strong regulatory and policy frameworks before commercial development momentum becomes difficult to redirect. The country must develop technical regulatory strength, clarify its fiscal regime, and build credible local content systems before major projects are sanctioned, drawing lessons from Guyana, Trinidad, Mozambique and other petroleum states.

    20 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 18 April

  1. Namibia's oil and gas sector advances toward development phase

    Namibia's oil and gas industry has shifted from early-stage exploration toward appraisal and development planning, with major international operators like Shell, TotalEnergies, and Galp positioning the country as an emerging regional energy hub. The sector is projected to contribute up to 5.8% to GDP annually during production, with first oil and gas expected between 2029 and 2030, provided governance and local content policies are strengthened.

    18 April 2026 · Informanté →

  2. US envoy promotes Namibia as regional energy and minerals hub

    U.S. Ambassador John Giordano highlighted Namibia's strategic role in a proposed Southern African Energy Corridor, emphasizing its potential as an oil and gas producer and leading uranium exporter, while noting that success requires clear regulatory frameworks and strong government-industry alignment. The remarks were made during a high-level engagement at the U.S. Embassy with global energy leaders ahead of the Namibia International Energy Conference.

    18 April 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 17 April

  1. President emphasizes mutual benefits in Namibia oil partnerships

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told Shell that Namibia's emerging oil industry must deliver direct benefits to citizens, stressing that partnerships must be win-win arrangements. Shell's exploration executive praised Namibia's policy environment and efficiency, committing to long-term partnership with emphasis on local skills transfer and capacity building.

    17 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Shell reaches record 25 exploration wells in Namibia

    Shell has drilled 25 exploration wells in Namibia's Orange Basin over four years, a company record. The company's VP for exploration said this milestone reflects improved operational conditions under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's leadership.

    17 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 April

  1. US Ambassador highlights Namibia as southern African energy corridor node

    US Ambassador John Giordano convened government officials and international energy executives at the US Embassy to advance integration of Namibia's energy, minerals and logistics systems into a scalable Southern African corridor. Giordano emphasized Namibia's potential as an oil and gas producer anchored by uranium production and robust infrastructure, while stressing the importance of regulatory clarity and alignment among governments, industry and capital for execution.

    16 April 2026 · New Era →

  2. Namibia, Angola sign N$940m power transmission interconnector deal

    Namibia and Angola signed a power purchase agreement and joint development agreement for the Angola-Namibia Power Transmission Interconnector Project (ANNA), estimated to cost about N$941 million and scheduled for completion in 2029. The 166-kilometre transmission line will link the Kunene substation in Namibia to the Cahama substation in Angola, with an initially projected capacity of up to 500 MW to enhance power system reliability and regional energy trade.

    16 April 2026 · New Era →

Friday 27 March

  1. African nations ration power, fuel as Iran conflict disrupts supply

    South Sudan and Mauritius have announced electricity rationing measures due to fuel shortages triggered by the US and Israel's conflict with Iran, which is disrupting energy supplies across Africa. Several other African countries including Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda are implementing fuel conservation measures and facing supply shortages or price increases.

    27 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 23 March

  1. Nasan Energies wins approval to buy 52 fuel stations

    The locally owned Nasan Energies has received approval from the Namibia Competition Commission to purchase 52 fuel service stations (operating under Engen and Shell brands) from Vivo Energy Namibia. Upon completion, the company will become Namibia's third-largest fuel retailer and aims to boost local ownership in a sector historically dominated by foreign operators.

    23 March 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 22 March

  1. Nasan Energies becomes third-largest fuel retailer after acquisition approval

    The Namibian Competition Commission has approved Nasan Energies' acquisition of 52 Engen and Shell-branded service stations from Vivo Energy, positioning Nasan as the country's third-largest fuel retailer. The purchase was conditional on divestment to prevent monopolistic control, following concerns about potential connections between Nasan's co-founder Miguel Hamutenya and Vivo's parent company Vitol.

    22 March 2026 · The Namibian →

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