OIL AND GAS IN NAMIBIA NOW UNDER THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT: WHAT IT ENTAILS?

BACKGROUND
On Saturday 22nd March 2025, the newly inaugurated Namibian President Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah unveiled a bold ministerial rearrangement, placing the management of the country’s fast-emerging oil and gas sector directly under the Office of the President. This decision, driven by the priority to maximize benefits for Namibians from country’s oil and gas resources, as the Orange Basin gears up for first oil production by 2029-2030, has piqued the interest of both Namibian and international companies.
Far from being an unprecedented shift, which might have caused uncertainty to the oil and gas sector, this move aligns with well-established practices in resource-rich nations, reflecting a calculated effort to streamline oversight and accelerate development in a sector poised to redefine Namibia’s economic trajectory. While this move seems abrupt, it is not an unusual step and that it promises continuity and potentially enhanced benefits for all stakeholders in the long term.

EXAMPLES OF JURISDICTIONS WHERE OIL & GAS SECTOR IS PLACED UNDER THE PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
Numerous countries have assigned their oil and gas sectors to presidential oversight, each with distinct agency structures that highlight the effectiveness and adaptability of this approach. Below are five detailed examples:

United Arab Emirates (UAE)
In the UAE, the oil and gas sector operate under the oversight of the Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs (the Supreme Council), chaired by the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who effectively acts as the executive authority under the UAE President. The Supreme Council directs the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the UAE’s primary oil entity, without a standalone federal petroleum ministry. ADNOC, led by a CEO manages exploration, production and exports, reporting to the Supreme Council. The Supreme Council, staffed with technical and economic experts, sets policies on production targets and international partnerships.

Sierra Leone
The oil and gas sector in Sierra Leone is managed by the Petroleum Directorate, a specialized agency housed within the Office of the Presidency. Established under the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act of 2011, the Directorate is led by a Director General who reports directly to the President. Its mandate includes issuing petroleum licenses, negotiating contracts, monitoring compliance with environmental and safety standards and promoting local content.

Staffed by a team of technical experts in geology, law and economics, the Directorate operates with a lean structure comprising departments for licensing, regulation and policy development. This direct link to the Presidency enables rapid decision-making, such as approving exploration permits or adjusting fiscal terms, promoting a stable environment that has attracted many companies while ensuring Sierra Leoneans benefit from resource development.

Nigeria
Nigeria’s petroleum sector was initially managed under the Petroleum Act 1969, the sector underwent a transformation with the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021, signed into law on August 2021. The PIA defines the Minister as “the Minister of Petroleum Resources or any person designated by the President.”, allowing the President to designate himself as Minister. It is not uncommon in the history of Nigeria for the President to serve in a dual capacity as both President and Minster of Petroleum Resources, as it was done by previous administrations.

Under the Petroleum Industry Act, the oil and gas sector is administered by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, headed by the President, who assumes the title of Minister of Petroleum Resources alongside his presidential duties. In August 2023, the President appointed a Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) and a Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), splitting responsibilities to focus on oil and gas development separately. However, as the Minister of Petroleum Resources, the President retains final authority over the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, with both Ministers of State for Petroleum Resources reporting to him.

Suriname
Suriname’s oil and gas sector is governed by Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname NV, a state-owned company that operates under the direct oversight of the President, without a separate petroleum ministry. Founded in 1980, Staatsolie, led by a Managing Director and a supervisory board appointed by the President, manages both onshore production and offshore exploration. The President’s office approves major policies, such as production-sharing agreements, enabling rapid responses to opportunities.

Brunei:
Brunei’s oil and gas sector is governed by the Petroleum Authority of Brunei Darussalam, operating under the direct influence of the Sultan, who serves as head of state, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Established in 1981 as Petroleum Unit and later restructured, the Authority is led by a Managing Director and overseen by a Board of Directors appointed by the Sultan.

It manages licensing, regulates exploration and production, and coordinates with Brunei’s state-owned oil company, PetroleumBRUNEI, which handles operational activities. The Sultan’s office provides guidance, approving key policies like revenue-sharing agreements.
Namibia’s shift is neither novel nor risky, but part of a proven global strategy for managing critical resources effectively.

WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL TO MOVE OIL AND GAS TO THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY

The decision to place Namibia’s oil and gas sector under the Office of the President can be viewed as a strategic move aimed at accelerating oil and gas reforms and modernizing the industry’s regulatory framework.
This shift mirrors Namibia’s success in fast-tracking green hydrogen initiatives under presidential oversight, as was initiated by the late President Dr. Hage Geingob with the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, where streamlined processes significantly reduced bureaucratic delays and attracted global investment.
For international stakeholders, this transition could mean faster permit approvals, a more transparent regulatory environment and a strengthened framework for long-term partnerships, ultimately making Namibia’s untapped frontier operationally predictable. For Namibian citizens, it ensures that the government is well-positioned to manage and distribute the benefits of these resources equitably, in line with President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s vision for national prosperity. Rather than a disruption, this move presents a unique opportunity for growth, positioning Namibia as a key player in the evolving global energy landscape.
With the move affected a day after her inauguration as Namibia’s first female President, this is what such a move could mean for Namibia’s upstream petroleum sector;
Fast track Amendments to the Upstream Petroleum Legal Regime
The review of our petroleum regime is moving at a slow pace and this could be fast tracked now that oil and gas is under the Office of the Presidency. This centralization is likely intended to fast-track key initiatives, including amendments to the Petroleum (Exploration & Production) Act 2 of 1991 (Petroleum Act) to align with modern standards for deep-water drilling, exploration, production and fiscal regimes, ensuring Namibia remains competitive in the global market.

Enacting Petroleum Regulations
Additionally, it paves the way for the enactment of comprehensive petroleum regulations governing licensing, operational safety, development, production and decommissioning, providing much-needed clarity for industry players operating in the Namibian oil and gas sector. These regulations will establish a framework to support the sector’s growth and ensure operational predictability.

Putting in Place Local Content Framework
As indicated by the President, one of the main reasons for this move is to maximize benefits for Namibians from country’s oil and gas resources. As such, a significant focus is being placed on developing a comprehensive local content framework that ensures Namibians benefit through job opportunities, training programs and business contracts, drawing inspiration from other countries in Africa.

Establishment of an Upstream Petroleum Regulator
Further, the move is likely to set the stage for establishing an upstream petroleum regulator to oversee licensing, exploration and production activities, improving accountability and technical oversight to reassure international partners of Namibia’s commitment to operational integrity. This regulator will play a critical role in maintaining industry standards and encouraging trust.

Establishing a Stand-alone Ministry of Petroleum
In the long run, it may lead to the creation of a stand-alone Ministry of Petroleum, separate and distinct from the current Ministry of Mines and Energy, to allow for more focused resource allocation and direct engagement with foreign investors. It is important to note that the Ministry of Mines and Energy currently oversees seven directorates, namely Geological Survey, Energy, Energy Funds, Diamond Affairs, Mines, Administration Services and Petroleum Affairs.

WHAT’S TO BE DONE IN THE INTERIM TO ENSURE THE INDUSTRY KEEPS GOING
To maintain the momentum and progress of Namibia’s upstream petroleum sector in the interim period, it’s essential to reassure both international companies and Namibian citizens that operations will continue smoothly. Several key steps can be taken to achieve this.
Amendment to the Petroleum Act
With the oil and gas industry now under the Office of the Presidency, there is a need to amend the definition of the word “Minister” in the Petroleum Act, the term “Minister”, currently means the “Minister of Mines and Energy”. To enable the President to act as per the Petroleum Act, the term “Minister” in the Petroleum Act could be defined as follows; “Minister means the Minister responsible for petroleum or any person designated by the President as having the responsibility for overseeing the Petroleum Industry.” This amendment ensures that the President will be able to assume all the powers that are provided by the Petroleum Act as she has designated herself as the one responsible for the petroleum sector. Should the amendments not be done, then the President will not be able to oversee the upstream petroleum sector and act as per the powers in the Petroleum Act.

While it is anticipated that the Petroleum Act will undergo amendments to shift oversight and responsibility to the President in respect of upstream petroleum, the Petroleum Products and Energy Act 13 of 1990 which regulates the downstream petroleum industry is likely to remain unchanged, continuing to fall under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Mines and Energy. This distinction preserves a clear separation of responsibilities between the overseer for upstream petroleum and downstream petroleum.

Moving of Directorate of Petroleum Affairs to Office of the President
A crucial step is to move the Directorate of Petroleum Affairs from the Ministry of Mines and Energy to the Office of the President. This directorate plays a central role in overseeing regulatory functions such as issuing licenses, monitoring compliance and managing petroleum data under the Petroleum Act. This will ensure that there is a continuity with the upstream oil and gas activities in Namibia.

Appointment of the Petroleum Commissioner
Once the amendment of the Petroleum Act as referenced above is made, the President will now have the power to appoint the Petroleum Commissioner of her choice and other officers as required by the Petroleum Act. The Petroleum Commissioner will then report directly to the President instead of reporting to the Minister of Mines and Energy.
These interim measures will maintain operational continuity, reassure investors, stakeholders and lay the groundwork for the broader reforms outlined above. By integrating key functions and clarifying legal ambiguities, Namibia can sustain industry momentum while positioning itself for long-term success in the global energy market.


CONCLUSION
The President’s decision to place its oil and gas sector under the Office of the President, is neither an outlier nor strange, it appears to be a strategic move, aligned with proven models in countries like UAE, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Suriname. This shift might position Namibia to fast-track reforms, that will strengthen its oil and gas framework under the watchful eye of the President, delivering value to both the nation and its international partners. It may yield a more efficient and predictable oil and gas sector in Namibia. What it is yet to be determined is whether this move will be for the interim period or for a long time.

Related Posts

Astrid Chombo

Astrid Chombo

Administrative Assistant
Bachelors in Marketing (Namibia)
Bachelor of Public Governance (Honours) (Namibia)

Content pending…

Mercy Nasilele

ATTORNEY (CA) LLB (Honours) ( Namibia)
Diploma in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (Namibia)

Mercy Nasilele joined SNC Incorporated as a legal intern in 2021. She holds a Diploma in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, and a Bachelor of Laws Honours Degree (LLB) (Honours) from the University of Namibia.

She is presently enrolled with the Justice Training Centre of Namibia, in pursuit to become an Admitted legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia.

Her favourite verse is Hebrews 11:1

”Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Netumbo Nuuyoma

Netumbo Nuuyoma

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Bachelor Degree in Accounting (Namibia)
MSc in General Management (Germany)

Netumbo Nuuyoma joined SNC Incorporated as the Executive Assistant to the Managing Partner in October 2024. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Accounting from the Namibia University of Science and Technology and an MSc in General Management from PFH Private University of Applied Sciences. Since joining the firm, Netumbo has gained practical experience in executive support, project coordination, and financial services. She is known for her adaptability and commitment to building positive relationships that contribute to organizational success. Her role encompasses managing executive calendars, coordinating meetings and travel, preparing financial administration, and handling confidential correspondence.

Claassens Chombo

Office Assistant
Dipl. In Business Administration, BBA (Honours) (Namibia)

Claassens Chombo joined SNC Incorporated as an Office Assistant in 2021. He holds a diploma in Business Administration as well as an Honours Degree in Business Administration with a major in Strategic Human Resource Management from the University of Namibia. Since joining the firm, Claassens has gained practical experience in office administration which generally ranges from administrative, handling and managing client documentation.

He describes himself as highly motivated and lives by a quote by Marie Forleo which states:

“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently”.

Ndeshi Mufeti

Ndeshi Mufeti

Attorney (CA)
LLB (Honours) (Namibia)

Ndeshi began her journey with SNC Incorporated as an intern and joined the firm as a Candidate Attorney in February 2026. She holds an LLB (Honours) degree from the University of Namibia and is currently completing her Justice Training Centre to become an admitted Legal Practitioner of the High Court.

As a Candidate Legal Practitioner, she supports the attorneys at SNC Incorporated in matters relating to energy, oil and gas, and commercial and corporate law.

During her studies, she served as Chairperson of the Law Association of Mooting and Advocacy (LAMA) at the University of Namibia, where during her tenure the Association was awarded the DSA Magriet Mainga Award and she was awarded the Humanitarian Award from for her work as a student parliamentarian and Chairperson of LAMA.

Olavi Popyeinawa

Olavi Popyeinawa

ATTORNEY (CA)
 LLB (Honours) ( Namibia)
Diploma in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (Namibia)
PGDip (Drafting & Interpretation of Contracts) (South Africa)

Olavi Popyeinawa is a Candidate Attorney at SNC Incorporated, a full service Energy, Natural Resource, Corporate & Commercial and Dispute Resolution law firm based in Windhoek, Namibia. Olavi joined the firm as a legal and communication intern and has since developed his skillsets, where he now brings a unique blend of legal expertise and communication skills to the firm. Olavi previously served as a Columnist at the largest state owned newspaper in Namibia, where he wrote and authored the widely-read column in the New Era Newspaper for half a decade. His insights into critical and social matters attracted thousands of readers. He holds a Bachelor of Law Honours (LLB) degree and a Diploma in Alternative Dispute Resolution, both from the University of Namibia. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts from the University of Johannesburg. He is currently enrolled at the Justice Training Center, where he is pursuing his admittance as a Legal Practitioner in the High Court of Namibia.

Loide Hamutumwa

CANDIDATE ATTORNEY
B. JURIS& LLB Hon, LLM (Namibia)
LLM (Petroleum Taxation and Finance) (United Kingdom)
Dipl. Commerce (Namibia)
BTech in Administration (Namibia)

Loide Hamutumwa has broad experience in Energy Finance and Taxation. With very impressive credentials, Loide holds a Diploma in Commerce, BTech: Administration (Namibia University of Science and Technology); B Juris, LLB (Honours), LLM (University of Namibia); LLM: Petroleum Taxation and Finance – distinction (University of Dundee).

For her in-depth knowledge in mineral & petroleum taxation and governance, she was appointed as a member to the government Petroleum and Mining Contracts Negotiating Team.

 

Loide’s other notable appointments include serving as a Convener of the Tax Tribunal. She is the present Secretary to the Namibia Double Taxation Agreements Negotiation Tax Team and a member to various SADC Working Groups on tax matters. Her career in Energy Finance started at the Solar Revolving Fund at Kongalend Financial Services (Pty) Ltd, prior to joining the UNDP-funded project Namibia Renewable Energy Programme (NAMREP), and later, joining the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

She enjoys writing tax journals and uses the knowledge and experience developed over years of working at the Legal Unit, Inland Revenue Department to educate taxpayers on tax compliance and tax justice.

 

Loide Hamutumwa is a Candidate Legal Practitioner presently enrolled at the Justice Training Centre of Namibia to undergo practical legal training and once completed, will apply to be enrolled as an Admitted Legal Practitioner of Namibia.

Esther Kiangi

Associate
 LLB (Honours) ( Namibia)
LLM (Oil Gas & Mining Law) (United Kingdom)

Esther Kiangi specializes in the oil, gas and energy industries.

After completing her LLB at the University of Nottingham, she pursued an LLM in Oil, Gas and Mining at Nottingham Trent University. Her expertise lies within upstream support services, including but not limited to the permitting and licensing of explosives and radiation sources, exemptions in respect of declarations of continuous operations, and in business advisory with regard to project development. In addition to the above, she has experience in contractual transactions and regulatory compliance.

While her primary focus is in the natural resource industry, her other legal skills lie within Corporate and Commercial Law, where she has cumulated vast experience as a Company Secretary to various companies, dealing with the day-to-day administrative tasks in the management of companies, as well as high-value transactions further acting as a business advisor to these clients in respect of deal structuring within the ambits of the law.

 

Esther is a member of the AIEN (Association for International Energy Negotiators), and her other notable achievements include being appointed to the board of Pearl Waterfree Technologies, as well as Triumphant College.

Esther recently completed her theoretical and practical training at the Justice Training Centre of Namibia and has  been  admitted to practice as a legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia.

Shafimana Shimakeleni

PARTNER
LLB (Honours) (Namibia)
LLM (Oil & Gas with Professional Skills) (United Kingdom)

Shafimana Shimakeleni is a Partner at SNC Incorporated. He is an admitted legal practitioner of the High Court and Supreme Court of Namibia with experience in the oil and gas, energy, commercial and corporate sectors. He holds an LLB (Honours) from the University of Namibia and a Master of Laws in Oil and Gas Law with Professional Skills (Distinction) from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom. Shafimana’s expertise includes drafting, reviewing, structuring and negotiation of various Commercial Agreements, Contract Management and Administration, rendering advice on Regulatory Compliance in the Energy, Oil & Gas and Mining sector, Mergers, Stakeholder Engagement, conducting Due Diligence Investigations for multinational transactions and representing our clients in Civil and Corporate litigation, both in the Namibian Courts and Private Arbitration.

Shafimana previously worked at Ministry of Mines and Energy in the Petroleum Affairs Directorate, where he was actively involved in matters related to regulation and compliance as well as assisting in the development of local content policy and legislation for petroleum exploration, development and production in Namibia.

Shafimana is a member of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), where he serves on the Hydrogen Task Force and the ESG Taskforce Committees. He is also a regular contributor to the Chambers Global Practice Guide.

Stanley Kambonde

SPECIALIST MINERALS ADVISOR
B.Juris & LLB (Namibia)
LLM (Oil, Gas and Mining Law) (United Kingdom)
PGDip (Drafting & Interpretation of Contracts) (South Africa)

Stanley specializes in Mining (both large and small scale), Environmental Law, Marine Regulation, Minerals Investment Leveraging and Commodities Brokering. He has been vividly involved in the mining industry, both as an advisor and mining entrepreneur, for more than Seven (7) years.

Stanley not only understands the Namibian mining sector through the lens of legal and policy framework but has also grasped the technical operating components of a mining system along the value chain. Through such an in-depth technical, theoretical and investment-leveraging understanding, Stanley provides clients with expert advice and solutions to complex aspects of the minerals sector.

He has provided advisory services to various national and international corporations in the mining industry, including on legislative and regulatory frameworks. Further, Stanley has brokered and negotiated numerous transactions ranging from sale of mineral commodities, sale/transfer of mineral licenses and the successful setting up of mining operations.

He holds a B. Juris, LLB (Honours) from the University of Namibia and an LLM in Oil, Gas and Mining from Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts from the University of Johannesburg.  Stanley recently enrolled at the Justice Training Centre of Namibia to undergo practical legal training and once completed, will apply to be enrolled as an Admitted Legal Practitioner of Namibia. 

Shakwa Nyambe

MANAGING PARTNER
B. Juris & LLB (Namibia),
LLM (Oil & Gas Law with Professional Skills) (United Kingdom)
PGDip (Drafting & Interpretation of Contracts) (South Africa)
Executive Diploma in Global Business (Masters Level) (United Kingdom)

Shakwa Nyambe is the Founder and Managing Partner of SNC Incorporated, with offices in Windhoek, Namibia. He is a specialist energy, natural resources, and commercial lawyer and also an expert in the drafting, reviewing, and negotiating of contracts. He has advised international corporations, state-owned enterprises, governments, and individuals in oil & gas, renewable energy, and mining projects, and provided legal services in matters ranging from mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, and corporate governance to project financing as well as rendering advisory services on general commercial and dispute resolution matters. His clients include some of the international oil companies, upstream service companies, drilling companies, renewable energy companies, mining companies, construction and infrastructure companies, State Owned Enterprises, Governments, and corporate entities.

Shakwa previously worked as a Legal Counsel at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia, as a Chief Legal Officer at the Ministry of Justice, Namibia, and as a State Advocate at the High Court of Namibia. Shakwa is the President of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN) for the period of 2025-2026. He serves on the drafting committees for the AIEN, including JOA Committee, LNG, SPA Committee, Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement Committee, the Drilling Contract Committee and the Hydrogen Task Force. Shakwa is a Director at Debmarine Namibia where he serves as Deputy Chairperson on the Board of Directors, and also serves as a Board of Director at NAMDEB Holdings (a 50-50 joint venture diamond mining between the Government of Namibia and De Beers).

Shakwa is ranked by the IFLR1000 for both 2024 and 2025 rankings as a Highly Regarded Lawyer in the practice area of Projects: Energy, with a focus on the Oil and Gas industry in Namibia. Shakwa has also been ranked as Band 3 lawyer for General Business by Chambers and Partners for both 2025 and 2026 rankings.

Shakwa Nyambe is recognised for his work and leadership in corporate, commercial and energy sector transactions, as well as his role in supporting the development of Namibia’s emerging oil and gas industry. Shakwa was also named as the National Lawyer of the Year for Namibia at the 2026 IFLR Africa Awards. Shakwa holds a postgraduate degree of Master of Laws in Oil & Gas Law with Professional Skills (LLM) from the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom, an Executive Diploma in Global Business (Masters Level) from the Said Business School, University of Oxford, a Postgraduate Diploma in Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts from the University of Johannesburg, a Baccalaureus Juris degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree, both from the University of Namibia. He is an admitted legal practitioner of the High Court and Supreme Court of Namibia.