Minister Tom Alweendoaddressedallegations of corruption around the ministry's petroleum exploration licensing process
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“Minister of mines and energy Tom Alweendo recently addressed allegations of corruption around the ministry's petroleum exploration licensing process.”
Tom Alweendoaddressedallegations of corruption in petroleum exploration licensing
Source
“Minister of mines and energy, Tom Alweendo, addressed allegations of corruption in the awarding of petroleum exploration licences during a recent parliamentary session.”
Alweendoclarifiedlicences awarded to Eco Oil and Gas and Oranto Petroleum each have joint venture with Namibian-owned Titan Oil and Gas
Source
“Alweendo clarified that while licences were awarded to Eco Oil and Gas (PEL98) and Oranto Petroleum (PEL106), both foreign companies, they each have a joint venture with a Namibian-owned company, Titan Oil and Gas, which holds a minority stake of 5%.”
Tom Alweendo, mines and energy ministerstated thatlocal entrepreneurs must acquire necessary skills to succeed in local content journey
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“"Without local entrepreneurs who are curious, innovative, and willing to invest their time and energy in acquiring the necessary skills to succeed, it would be extremely challenging, and possibly even impossible, to embark on our local content journey," says Tom Alweendo, mines and energy minister.”
Tom Alweewoodwitnessedthe signing of the letter of intent by German federal minister Robert Habeck and Enertrag CEO Gunar Hering
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“Namibian minister of mines and energy Tom Alweendo and green hydrogen commissioner James Mnyupe, who is also the president's economic adviser, have witnessed the signing of the letter of intent by German federal minister for economic affairs and climate protection Robert Habeck and Enertrag chief executive Gunar Hering.”
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.