The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has appointed deputy director of petroleum exploration and production Aune Amutenya as Namibia’s acting petroleum commissioner, marking a significant leadership change at a time when the country’s oil and gas sector is preparing for major development decisions.
The appointment, announced by mines and energy Minister Modestus Amutse in a media statement issued on 17 June 2026, took effect on 2 June 2026. Amutenya assumes the role following the relief of Maggy Shino as petroleum commissioner. Shino will remain within the ministry and continue serving as director in the Department of Upstream Petroleum Affairs.
The ministry said the appointment was made in terms of Part II, Sections 3 to 7 of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act of 1991, which governs the appointment of the petroleum commissioner.
Amutenya is no stranger to Namibia’s upstream petroleum sector, having served as deputy director of petroleum exploration and production and played a role in overseeing the country’s rapidly expanding exploration programme.
Her appointment comes at a critical period for Namibia’s energy industry. The country is moving from a phase dominated by exploration activity towards project development, with major discoveries in the Orange Basin attracting billions of dollars in investment and increasing international interest in Namibia’s petroleum potential.
The petroleum commissioner occupies one of the most influential technical and regulatory positions in the sector, overseeing the administration of petroleum licences, regulatory compliance and the implementation of Namibia’s petroleum legislation.
The leadership transition also comes as industry stakeholders await key decisions on several offshore projects, including development plans linked to recent discoveries by international oil companies operating in Namibian waters.
In announcing the appointment, the ministry congratulated Amutenya and wished her success in her new role. It also expressed appreciation to Shino for her service as petroleum commissioner.
Shino has been one of the most recognisable figures in Namibia’s oil and gas sector in recent years, helping to steer the country’s regulatory framework during a period that saw some of the largest offshore petroleum discoveries ever made.
Amutenya now assumes responsibility for helping guide the next phase of the industry’s development as Namibia seeks to translate exploration success into long-term economic benefits, investment and eventual oil production.
