Former mines and energy minister Tom Alweendonotedthat hopefully Namibia has learnt enough lessons from others
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“Former Bank of Namibia governor Johannes !Gawaxab has warned that Namibia must avoid the resource curse by learning from the experiences of others, while former mines and energy minister Tom Alweendo noted that "hopefully, Namibia has learnt enough lessons from others".”
Tom AlweendorejectedRed Soil's application for a petroleum exploration licence
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“The company Red Soil Energy and Mineral Exploration (Red Soil) filed a case in the Windhoek High Court in 2021 after the then minister of mines and energy, Tom Alweendo, rejected its application for a petroleum exploration licence covering four oil blocks off the southern Namibian coast.”
Tom Alweendoserved asGovernor of the Bank of Namibia and head of the National Planning Commission
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“He served as Governor of the Bank of Namibia and head of the National Planning Commission (NPC), roles that require deep economic and financial expertise.”
Tom Alweendorefused to renewParagon's PEL 37 licence
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“Paragon has been trying to renew the licence for PEL 37 since 2021, when Tom Alweendo was minister of mines and energy. Alweendo refused to renew the licence.”
Tom Alweendohas warned thatassociated gas should not be treated as an afterthought if offshore volumes prove significant
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“Alvenco Advisory chief executive Tom Alweendo has warned that associated gas should not be treated as an afterthought if volumes from Namibia's offshore oil discoveries prove to be significant.”
Namibia's Mineworkers' Union of Namibia channels members' dues through Namibia Miners Investment Trust (Namit) and Nam-Mic Holdings, which have grown into a N$900-million portfolio with stakes in banks, mines, hotels and other sectors. Members and their representatives say they have seen little benefit from their decades of contributions and allege lack of transparency and financial irregularities.
Why it matters
Mineworkers' union investment empire transparency crisis exposes potential financial mismanagement affecting thousands of members' livelihoods and retirement.
Namibia's Mineworkers' Union of Namibia channels members' dues through Namibia Miners Investment Trust (Namit) and Nam-Mic Holdings, which have grown into a N$900-million portfolio with stakes in banks, mines, hotels and other sectors. Members and their representatives say they have seen little benefit from their decades of contributions and allege lack of transparency and financial irregularities.
Southern Africa is entering a new minerals cycle driven by the energy transition and demand for critical minerals, giving Namibia and the SADC region a chance to capture deeper industrial value through local processing. Success requires more than regulation — it demands reliable electricity, water, environmental systems, skilled technicians, infrastructure, finance and customers.
Namibia's offshore oil is legally owned by investors with 90%, while the state receives revenue through taxes and royalties, limiting the country's control over development decisions and ability to secure local benefits. President Nandi-Ndaitwah has positioned the delayed petroleum amendment bill as critical to strengthening the state's bargaining position on local content, job creation, and value retention, though fundamental investor control over operations cannot be altered.
Acting judge David Mangota ruled that Zambezi Exploration's urgent application to restrain the minister of industries, mines and energy from implementing a decision about a petroleum exploration licence for block 2812A did not meet the requirements to be heard as urgent, finding the urgency was self-created because the company delayed action after learning of a rival's relinquishment in January 2023. The judge ordered Zambezi Exploration to pay the legal costs of the minister and Vena Gemstones & Mining, the company that was awarded the licence.
Red Soil Energy has appealed to the Supreme Court over the mines ministry's 2021 rejection of its petroleum exploration licence application for four offshore oil blocks. The company claims it was treated unfairly and differently from competing applicants, while the minister argues the application was incomplete and lacked required financial documentation.
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's local content policy in oil and gas should be measured by actual skilled employment, apprenticeships linked to real job demand, and technology transfer—not merely spending figures or scholarships—to prevent fronting and ensure young Namibians gain lasting capability and productive livelihoods.
A political science student argues that elected councillors and regional representatives lack sufficient educational qualifications to effectively manage budgets, interpret legislation, and drive development, citing examples like Katima Mulilo's land mismanagement and calling for a national dialogue on minimum leadership standards.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has asked the attorney general to review the circumstances surrounding Paragon Oil & Gas' petroleum exploration licence (PEL 37) renewal, which was granted for four years despite regulations limiting third renewals to two years. The licence resurfaced as a controversy when former mines minister Natangwe Ithete was fired last year, allegedly for approving the renewal against the president's wishes.