Sunday, 6 September 2026

Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026

Sunday, 6 September 2026

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Namibian press · Organization

Upstream Petroleum Unit

Also known as: UPU · Ustream Petroleum Unit

Regulatory body designated by the Presidency to oversee upstream petroleum local content policy, established under the Office of the President in 2026.

2026-02-052026-09-06

What’s been said

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

February 2026
27 FebNew Era
Upstream Petroleum Unit would be established within the Presidency, headed by a Director General and Deputy Director General
Source
“The Bill establishes an Upstream Petroleum Unit (UPU) within the Presidency, headed by a Director General and a Deputy Director General.”
Opinion – Build strong institutions of accountability not personal empires
19 FebThe Namibian
Upstream Petroleum Unit will keep bureaucracy out and elevate governance
Source
“He supported the executive overseeing the Upstream Petroleum Unit, saying it will keep bureaucracy out and further elevate governance.”
NEFF supports petroleum bill
13 FebThe Namibian
Upstream Petroleum Unit will be established in the Office of the President
Source
“A central Pillar of the proposed amendments is the establishment of a new Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President, and the concomitant reassignment of certain regulatory functions from the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, specifically from the petroleum commissioner's office to this unit.”
EXPLAINER: Amendments to the Petroleum Act
6 FebInformanté
Upstream Petroleum Unit will participate in NIEC 2026 in Windhoek
Source
“The UPU confirmed it will take part in the eighth edition of NIEC, scheduled for 14 to 16 April 2026, where it will engage with international and local investors, regulators and industry stakeholders.”
Upstream Petroleum Unit to take centre stage at NIEC 2026 as Namibia pushes towards first oil
6 FebThe Namibian
Upstream Petroleum Unit is established by the amendment bill to be housed in the Office of the President
Source
“Amutse said the amendment bill establishes the Upstream Petroleum Unit, a new regulatory authority to be housed in the Office of the President.”
Opposition warns Namibia’s new oil bill could fuel Fishrot-style corruption under Presidency
5 FebInformanté
Upstream Petroleum Unit will be headed by a Director-General and Deputy Director-General
Source
“This Unit will be headed by a Director-General and a Deputy Director-General, who will be responsible for directing, managing, and supervising all upstream petroleum operations in Namibia.”
New Petroleum Bill requires disclosure of oil interests by top officials

Mining & Energy

Presidency appoints Upstream Petroleum Unit as petroleum local content regulator

The News

The Presidency has designated the Upstream Petroleum Unit as the regulator of upstream petroleum local content, following Cabinet approval of a new local content policy on 4 August. This represents a shift from an earlier version that gave regulatory powers to the Ministry of Industrialisation, Mines and Energy, a change that has drawn parliamentary concerns about reduced oversight of the natural resource sector.

2 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 2 September

Presidency appoints Upstream Petroleum Unit as petroleum local content regulator
The Presidency has designated the Upstream Petroleum Unit as the regulator of upstream petroleum local content, following Cabinet approval of a new local content policy on 4 August. This represents a shift from an earlier version that gave regulatory powers to the Ministry of Industrialisation, Mines and Energy, a change that has drawn parliamentary concerns about reduced oversight of the natural resource sector.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 20 August

Government assures oil and gas investors of policy certainty
At the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference, mines and energy minister Modestus Amutse reassured investors that policy uncertainty will not derail Namibia's most advanced offshore oil projects, citing institutional, policy, and fiscal certainty. The move of upstream petroleum control from the energy ministry to the Office of the Presidency is a deliberate realignment to protect the sector, Amutse said, while a new local content policy approved this month provides investors with clear expectations.
20 August 2026 · The Namibian →
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

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 →
Namibia outlines oil and gas benefits strategy
Special Advisor Kornelia Shilunga outlined Namibia's vision for converting oil and gas sector decisions into national benefits at the Namibia Oil and Gas Conference 2026.
19 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 2 August

Presidency investigates TotalEnergies employment terms for local workers
The Namibian Presidency has launched an urgent investigation into employment conditions at TotalEnergies EP after local workers alleged unfair contract terms and inadequate benefits during their transition from recruitment company Apos to direct employment with the company. The workers raised concerns over remuneration, pension benefits, medical aid and recognition of years of service.
2 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 26 July

Offshore oil work demands competence beyond safety training
Upstream Petroleum Unit head Kornelia Shilunga told young people at a Walvis Bay summit that success in Namibia's oil and gas industry requires competence, professionalism, and international standards—not just the Bosiet safety certificate, which is a mandatory requirement for those already employed offshore, not a path to employment.
26 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 22 July

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 →

Friday 19 June

PM defends petroleum bill as Parliament debates worker protections
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has defended the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill, saying it is necessary to safeguard Namibia's oil and gas industry and manage petroleum resources in the national interest. Ngurare urged lawmakers to put aside political differences and support the legislation, citing the unanimous bipartisan passage of the original Petroleum Act in 1991, while noting that debate has focused on criticism of placing the Upstream Petroleum Unit under the Presidency rather than on how citizens will benefit from newly discovered resources.
19 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 27 May

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 →

Wednesday 20 May

PM Ngurare defends President Nandi-Ndaitwah's right to full two terms
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare said President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah should be allowed to serve her full two constitutional terms without distraction from succession debates, which he called premature and deliberately designed to undermine the administration.
20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 12 May

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 →

Monday 11 May

Businessman calls for Parliament backing of oil sector reforms
Knowledge Katti has urged Parliament and national leaders to support the creation of the Upstream Petroleum Unit (UPU) and the Petroleum Amendment Bill, arguing these reforms are necessary to help Namibia transition from oil exploration to production and address long-standing governance challenges in the sector.
11 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 22 April

Oil sector must adapt to geopolitical shifts, Shilunga says
Kornelia Shilunga, Head of the Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Presidency, urged Namibia's oil and gas sector to identify new trade corridors, invest in resilient infrastructure, and strengthen partnerships amid global geopolitical tension. She called on stakeholders to remain alert to commodity markets, trade dynamics, and shipping security while investing in Namibia's oil and gas development.
22 April 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 8 April

Government restricted from sharing oil and gas sector information
Civil society organisations have accused the government of lack of transparency on oil and gas information access, with various agencies declining to provide petroleum licence details and citing organisational restructuring. Multiple officials and institutions have refused to respond to inquiries, prompting warnings that withholding critical sector information undermines public trust and the right to know.
8 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 March

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

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 →

Wednesday 25 February

President challenges Itula to prove oil sector family links
President Nandi-Ndaitwah has challenged Independent Patriots for Change leader Panduleni Itula to provide empirical evidence linking her family to Namibia's upstream oil sector, reiterating her denial of direct or indirect interests. Itula held his third oil-related press conference in less than three weeks, presenting what he termed documented evidence of a systematic network involving the president's sons and husband across the petroleum value chain, including fuel imports, distribution, and investments.
25 February 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 19 February

NEFF backs petroleum bill as tool for economic freedom
The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters party has endorsed the petroleum bill, arguing it strengthens the state's control over oil resources and serves the struggle for economic independence. NEFF deputy president Longinus Iipumbu told Parliament that Namibia must become the owner, controller, and beneficiary of its petroleum wealth rather than a spectator to foreign exploitation.
19 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 February

Swapo MPs defend oil and gas bill's local content focus
Swapo members of parliament have defended the petroleum bill, arguing it ensures resource benefits contribute to inclusive economic growth and long-term national capacity through local content, skills development, and environmental protection. An IPC opposition MP questioned whether proposed penalties for conflict-of-interest violations are adequate for a billion-dollar industry.
13 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Proposed Petroleum Act amendments shift regulatory power to presidency
The proposed amendments to Namibia's Petroleum Act would establish a new Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President and transfer certain regulatory functions from the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy to this new body. The changes aim to create a streamlined, specialist regulator with direct presidential oversight to improve decision-making efficiency and investor confidence amid multiple large-scale oil and gas projects.
13 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 11 February

Opposition parties split over Petroleum Amendment Bill governance
Namibian opposition leaders have divided over a proposed amendment to transfer upstream petroleum powers from the mines and energy minister to the Office of the President. While the government argues the change will strengthen governance of the emerging oil and gas sector, opposition figures including IPC leader Panduleni Itula, APP's Imms Nashinge, and PDM's McHenry Venaani warn that the shift risks undermining parliamentary oversight, constitutional separation of powers, and regulatory accountability.
11 February 2026 · New Era →

Friday 6 February

Namibia's new Upstream Petroleum Unit to present at 2026 energy conference
Namibia's newly established Upstream Petroleum Unit will participate in the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) in April 2026 to strengthen investor confidence and signal government commitment to transparent, investment-ready upstream petroleum governance as the country moves toward first oil production.
6 February 2026 · Informanté →
Opposition warns new oil bill risks concentration of power
Opposition parties have raised concerns that Namibia's new petroleum amendment bill, which would place the Upstream Petroleum Unit under the Office of the President, could lead to unchecked executive power and corruption similar to the Fishrot scandal in the fishing sector. They point to cautionary examples from Nigeria, Ghana, Angola, and Russia, where energy sector governance failures and political manipulation resulted from poor institutional oversight.
6 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 5 February

Petroleum Bill requires oil sector officials to declare interests
Namibia's Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill 2025, introduced in Parliament, will require top government officials overseeing the petroleum sector to declare any interests in oil and gas and establish a new Upstream Petroleum Unit under the Office of the President to modernize regulation of the sector. Opposition members including PDM leader McHenry Venaani raised concerns that the Bill concentrates excessive power in the presidency.
5 February 2026 · Informanté →