Namibia Mining and Energy

Namibian President to open NIEC 2026 as country moves towards first oil President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will open the Namibia International Energy Conference (NIEC) 2026 in Windhoek this month, as the country enters a decisive phase in its push towards first oil. The gathering comes amid mounting pressure to convert a string of major offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin into bankable projects, jobs and state revenue. More than 1,000 delegates, including global oil majors, investors and policymakers, are expected to attend, with the focus shifting firmly from exploration success to execution. NIEC convenor Ndapwilapo Selma Shimutwikeni said the industry has moved beyond discovery and now faces the harder task of delivery. miningandenergy.com.na/namibian-presi… #namibia #oilandgas #orangebasin #exploration @NamPresidency @NIEConference @nogconference @energy_african @african_energyC @NAMPOA_ @nj_ayuk @MME_Nam

Arkle completes geophysical surveys on Erongo uranium projects Arkle Resources PLC, the London-listed energy metals explorer, has completed airborne and ground-based geophysical surveys across its uranium projects in Namibia’s Erongo Region. The work forms part of Phase 1 of the company’s exploration programme following its January 2026 acquisition of four exclusive prospecting licences covering 540 km². “We are delighted with the rapid progress of the geophysical surveys and the initial findings from the HLEM work. The identification of a deep new palaeochannel has positive implications for the target geology,” said interim chief executive officer Rory Harding. The surveys, conducted by Xcalibur Smart Mapping and Terratec Geophysical Services Namibia, included horizontal loop electromagnetic (HLEM) work, alongside magnetic and radiometric airborne mapping covering more than 12,000 line kilometres. miningandenergy.com.na/arkle-complete… #namibia #mining #uranium #production @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia @ArkleResources

TransNamib secures board approval for six-month hydrogen-diesel locomotive trial Namibia’s state-owned rail operator, TransNamib, has approved a six-month pilot of a hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel locomotive, signalling early-stage efforts to integrate hydrogen into the country’s transport and logistics system. The trial, to be conducted in partnership with CMB.TECH, will run for approximately 50 return trips along the Walvis Bay–Windhoek corridor, a key freight route linking the country’s main port to its inland economic hub. Chief Executive Officer Desmond van Jaarsveld said the pilot is designed to test the operational viability of hydrogen technology under real-world conditions. The locomotive will be evaluated across a range of performance indicators, including fuel consumption, reliability, efficiency, maintenance requirements and cost-effectiveness. A decision on potential scale-up will follow the six-month trial period. miningandenergy.com.na/transnamib-sec… #namibia #mining #locomotives #hydrogen @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia @transnamib @CMB_TECH @QBBT @rudolphmuller @sigstart

Namibia moves to renegotiate De Beers diamond sales agreement Namibia has initiated a review of its Diamond Sales and Marketing Agreement with De Beers Plc ahead of its expiry in 2026, as government seeks to increase local value addition and respond to declining sector revenues. Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse said the agreement, which governs operations involving Namdeb, Debmarine, NDTC and Namdia, is being reassessed to ensure greater economic benefits are retained within the country. “We have started the process to review this agreement with the aim of ensuring that more value addition of our diamonds is done inside Namibia to address unemployment, poverty and slow economic growth,” he said. The review is being led by a government negotiating team comprising representatives from the Office of the President, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of International Relations and Trade, the National Planning Commission and the Bank of Namibia. miningandenergy.com.na/namibia-moves-… #namibia #mining #diamonds #diamondsales @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia @DeBeers @FinanceNamibia @MIRT_NAMIBIA @BankofNamibia @NPC_Namibia @NamPresidency @NAMDIANAM @DebmarineN

FlyNamibia launches Lüderitz flights to support Shell’s offshore drilling campaign FlyNamibia has introduced scheduled flights between Windhoek’s Eros Airport and Lüderitz to support logistics linked to Shell Namibia Upstream B.V.’s offshore drilling campaign under Petroleum Exploration Licence 39 (PEL 39). The service, operating from 2 April to 22 April 2026, is aimed at facilitating the movement of personnel and essential services into Lüderitz as offshore activity in southern Namibia accelerates. Shell is expected to commence drilling this month, having contracted the Deepsea Mira drillship for operations offshore. The campaign forms part of ongoing exploration efforts in Namibia’s increasingly active offshore basins, which continue to attract global energy majors. miningandenergy.com.na/flynamibia-lau… #namibia #mining #flynamibia #economy #fuelprices #exploration @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia @fly_namibia @nogconference @NIEConference @energy_african @african_energyC @NAMPOA_ @nj_ayuk @Shell

B2Gold Namibia pays N$3.8bn to fiscus as Otjikoto delivers strong 2025 performance B2Gold Namibia paid N$3.8 billion in taxes to the Namibian government in 2025, underpinned by strong production and profitability at its Otjikoto gold mine. The contribution includes corporate income tax, royalties and export levies, reflecting one of the largest fiscal inflows from the mining sector during the year. Country Manager and Director John Roos said the payment underscores the company’s role in supporting public finances and the broader economy. “We paid N$3.8 billion in taxes to government in 2025, and this reflects our commitment to transparency and fairness in contributing to the Namibian economy,” he said. miningandenergy.com.na/b2gold-namibia… #namibia #mining #production #profitability #miningsector @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia @B2GoldCorp

Namibia courts Brazilian investment in oil, gas and green hydrogen sectors Namibia has moved to court Brazilian capital for its fast-growing oil, gas and green hydrogen sectors, as it seeks to convert recent resource discoveries into industrial development and jobs. Minister of International Relations and Trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi issued a direct investment call during talks with Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira, positioning Namibia as an underexploited resource market with immediate opportunities across the energy value chain. “As you know, Honourable Minister, Namibia has made significant discoveries in oil and gas, and renewable energy in the form of green hydrogen, in this regard, we extend a strong invitation to the Brazilian private sector to explore the opportunities available within Namibia’s growing manufacturing industry. Namibia offers a stable business environment, strategic access to regional and international markets, and an abundance of natural resources that remain underutilised in terms of value addition,” she said miningandenergy.com.na/namibia-courts… #namibia #mining #oilandgas #greenhydrogen #investment @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia @MIRT_NAMIBIA @nogconference @NIEConference @energy_african @african_energyC @NAMPOA_ @gh2namibia @GAH2Summit

Sintana upgrades Mopane oil resource to 1.38 billion barrels Sintana Energy Inc. has announced a 57% increase in the contingent resources of the Mopane oil discovery offshore Namibia, raising the estimate to 1.38 billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe). The upgrade, based on recent exploration and appraisal drilling, increases Sintana’s indirect net interest to approximately 67 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) through its 4.9% carried stake in Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) 83. According to the company, the revised resource estimate was disclosed in Galp Energia’s Integrated Management Report 2025 and reflects continued progress in unlocking the potential of the Mopane complex. Galp currently operates PEL 83, although TotalEnergies is in the process of farming in and is expected to assume operatorship ahead of a planned three-well drilling campaign scheduled for the second half of 2026. The project is targeting a final investment decision in 2028 and first oil by 2032. miningandenergy.com.na/sintana-upgrad… #namibia #mining #exploration #oildiscovery @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia @sintanaenergy @nogconference @NIEConference @energy_african @african_energyC @NAMPOA_ @nj_ayuk @TotalEnergies @NamcorNamibia

Namibia’s mining local ownership rises to 49% Local ownership in Namibia’s mining sector has reached 49% during the 2023/24–2024/25 period, significantly exceeding the government’s 15% target, according to the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy. The ministry’s strategic plan for 2025/2026–2029/2030 shows that this builds on earlier gains recorded between 2016/17 and 2022/23, when local ownership reached 25%, surpassing the 20% target. “The target of 25% local ownership in mining operations was achieved, exceeding the 20% target (2016/17–2022/23), while 49% local ownership was recorded against a target of 15% for the 2023/24–2024/25 period,” the ministry reported. miningandenergy.com.na/namibias-minin… #namibia #mining #localownership #miningsector @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia @EUinNamibia @afconeorg @CTBTO

Namibia begins review of TotalEnergies’ Venus oil development plan The Namibian government has begun reviewing a Field Development Plan (FDP) submitted by TotalEnergies for the proposed Venus oil project, marking a key step towards formal negotiations and a final investment decision. Prime Minister Tjitunga Elijah Ngurare said the upstream petroleum unit in the Office of the President has made progress on both technical and policy fronts, including the initial assessment of the development plan. “On the technical front, the Unit has commenced the first stage of reviewing and providing input on the Field Development Plan submitted by TotalEnergies, marking an important initial step towards formal negotiations and a final investment decision,” he said. miningandenergy.com.na/namibia-begins… #namibia #mining #oilandgas #exploration #developmentplan @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia @NAMPOA_ @nogconference @NIEConference @energy_african @african_energyC @TotalEnergies @NamibiaOPM @ngurare @NamcorNamibia @qatarenergy @nj_ayuk

Global diamond shifts force Namibia to rethink policy and branding Namibia’s diamond sector faces mounting pressure from structural changes in the global market, with Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) warning that policy reform and stronger industry coordination will be critical to sustain the sector. The state-owned diamond marketing company said Namibia’s position as a producer of high-quality stones remains a key advantage, with around 95% of output classified as gem quality. However, it cautioned that the country has yet to translate this into stronger global market positioning. “Unlike other producing countries that have successfully cultivated strong origin-based branding, Namibia has yet to fully articulate a unified national diamond narrative,” Namdia said. The company said Namibia continues to market its diamonds largely through individual corporate channels rather than as a consolidated national product, limiting its ability to capture premium value in global markets. miningandenergy.com.na/global-diamond… #namibia #mining #diamonds #diamondsector @NAMDIANAM @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia

Our edition of Namibia Mining & Energy for 29 March 2026 is now out. Click epaper.miningandenergy.com.na/2026/March/Nam… Stay informed with the latest developments in Namibia’s mining and energy sector, including oil and gas, and green hydrogen. Subscribe to our WhatsApp channel for free to get updates as they happen, straight from Namibia’s leading mining and energy publication, based in Windhoek. Follow the link: whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va… to subscribe #namibia #miningnews #namibiamining #namibiaoilandgas #oilandgas @MIMEnamibia @NAMPOA_ @CoMinesNamibia

Azule Energy sells offshore Angola stakes to Etu Energias in deal worth up to US$310m Azule Energy has signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement with Etu Energias Block 14 B.V. for the sale of its stakes in offshore Blocks 14 and 14K in Angola, in a transaction valued at up to US$310 million. The deal follows Etu Energias’ exercise of pre-emption rights after Azule Energy had initially agreed in December 2025 to sell the same interests to a consortium of Etablissements Maurel & Prom and BW Energy. That agreement has now been terminated. Azule Energy holds a 20% interest in Block 14 and a 10% interest in Block 14K, both located in the Lower Congo Basin and in production since 1999. The assets delivered net production of approximately 9,600 barrels of oil per day to Azule Energy in 2024. The transaction includes deferred contingent payments of up to US$115 million and remains subject to customary adjustments and regulatory approvals from Angolan authorities. Completion is expected in the second half of 2026. miningandenergy.com.na/azule-energy-s… #namibia #mining #energy #production @AzuleEnergy @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia @nogconference @NIEConference @energy_african @african_energyC @NAMPOA_

Energy Fund to fork out N$500m to cushion Namibians from fuel hikes It will cost Namibia’s National Energy Fund approximately N$500 million in April alone to cushion consumers from a sharp spike in global oil prices, even as pump prices rise across the country. The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy said the intervention comes against a backdrop of surging international fuel costs, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and a weakening Namibia dollar. “The remaining under-recovery will be absorbed by the National Energy Fund, amounting to approximately N$500 million,” the ministry said. Despite the support, government has approved significant fuel price increases effective 1 April 2026, with petrol rising by N$2.50 per litre and both diesel grades increasing by N$4.00 per litre. miningandenergy.com.na/energy-fund-to… #namibia #mining #fuel #fuelprices #energyfund @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia @nogconference @NIEConference @nj_ayuk @energy_african @african_energyC @NAMPOA_

Kendrick begins drilling at Kieshöhe rare earths project Kendrick Resources Plc has commenced drilling operations at its Kieshöhe rare earths project in southern Namibia, as it advances exploration across its Bonya portfolio. The Kieshöhe project, located about 40km west of Aus and 60km east of Lüderitz, forms part of Kendrick’s broader rare earths strategy, where the company holds a 70% interest in both the Kieshöhe (EPL 4458) and Teufelskuppe (EPL 6691) licences. The current drilling programme is targeting two carbonatite complexes at Kieshöhe and Teufelskuppe, with plans to deploy a second drill rig to enable simultaneous operations at both sites. At Kieshöhe, more than 2,500 metres of trenching has been completed and is currently being sampled, with further work focused on mineralised breccia zones between high-grade carbonatite structures. miningandenergy.com.na/kendrick-begin… #namibia #mining #raremetals #drillingoperations @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia

ECB elected chair of Africa’s energy and water regulators association The Electricity Control Board (ECB) of Namibia has been elected Chair of the Association of Regulators of Energy and Water Services of Africa (AFUR) at the 22nd Annual Conference and Annual General Assembly held in Swakopmund. Namibia was nominated by Lesotho and elected unopposed after no other nominations were received. Burkina Faso was elected as Vice Chair. ECB Chief Executive Officer Robert Kahimise will serve as AFUR Chair. “We are honoured to take on this leadership role and look forward to working with our members to advance regulatory excellence and support sustainable development in energy and water services across Africa,” Kahimise said. miningandenergy.com.na/ecb-elected-ch… #namibia #mining #appointment #leadership @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia @ecbnam

Namibia’s mining sector contracts by 9.4% in 2025 Namibia’s mining and quarrying sector contracted by 9.4% in real value added in 2025, a sharper decline compared to the 3.4% drop recorded in 2024. According to Namibia Statistics Agency Accounts Manager Ngainonekue Uamburu, the downturn reflects mixed performance across subsectors, with declines in diamond and metal ore production outweighing gains in uranium mining. The diamond subsector was the main driver of the overall contraction, shrinking by 19.4% during the period under review. This marks a steeper decline than the 9.7% contraction recorded in 2024 and is largely attributed to weak global demand. “On the negative side, the mining sector slumped by 9.4%. We saw declines in metal ores and diamonds, specifically zinc, with some mines ceasing production,” Uamburu said. miningandenergy.com.na/namibias-minin… #namibia #mining #performance #production @MME_Nam @CoMinesNamibia @namstatsagency