By Shakwa Nyambe
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 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 $ gas to the President’s office?
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 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.
By Shakwa Nyambe is the Managing Partner – SNC Incorporated Energy, Natural Resources Lawyer and Expert
