Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for the urgent passage of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill of 2025 during an energy conference in Windhoek. The President warned that continued legislative delays could slow offshore development and undermine Namibia’s narrowing window to convert exploration success into first oil production.
The Bill’s legislative trajectory, combined with accelerating offshore exploration by major oil companies, is shaping Namibia’s near-term energy outlook. With major discoveries advancing toward appraisal and regulators pushing structural reform, the timing of the bill has become increasingly central to investor confidence, project sequencing and the country’s first oil ambitions.
Petroleum Bill Under Legislative Pressure
The Bill is currently under review by a Parliamentary Standing Committee following its introduction by the Ministry of Mines and Energy. Public consultations and political debate are ongoing, particularly around the creation of a centralized upstream regulatory.
“The Petroleum Amendment Bill represents a significant step in strengthening governance, enhancing transparency and providing regulatory pragmatism to investors,” President Nandi-Ndaitwah said. “We must work in the spirit of trust and transparency for mutual benefit to reach first oil as per our strategic national plans.”
The proposed Upstream Petroleum Unit, located in the Office of the President, would consolidate licensing, compliance and data oversight functions. Supporters say this accelerates decision-making, while opposition parties argue it risks concentrating too much authority and reducing parliamentary oversight.
Despite political resistance, government officials and analysts maintain that the bill is central to unlocking offshore oil development timelines.
Exploration Momentum Builds Across the Bain
Namibia’s upstream sector is entering a coordinated acceleration phase, where regulatory reform and exploration success are reinforcing each other. As legislative pressure builds in Windhoek, operators across the Orange and Walvis basins are simultaneously advancing drilling, appraisal and development plans at pace.
Energy major Chevron is preparing to drill another Orange Basin exploration well in late-2026, following earlier data gathering efforts that expanded its basin understanding. Country Manager Beatrice Bienvenu noted that “predictability allows us to move at pace,” underscoring confidence in Namibia’s investment environment.
Meanwhile, exploration company Rhino Resources continues to lead appraisal activity in Block 2914A after successful Sagittarius, Capricornus and Volans discoveries. CEO Travis Smithard said, “Discovery is only the beginning. The next phase requires a shift in mindset,” highlighting the transition from exploration to development planning, with FID targeted for 2026–2027.
Global major TotalEnergies also remains a key player alongside Chevron and Rhino, advancing deepwater developments such as Venus and Mopane toward mid-2026 FID milestones. The company continues to frame Namibia as a long-term strategic hub within its African portfolio, reinforcing the broader investor push into Namibian deepwater acreage.
Governance Reform and Industry Alignment
The Petroleum Amendment Bill and rising exploration activity are increasingly interconnected, with regulatory structure shaping capital allocation decision. Industry bodies such as the Namibia Petroleum Operators Association (NAMPOA) are playing a coordination role, linking operators, contractors and government through structured engagement.
NAMPOA Executive Director Festus Hangula noted, “We have come a very long way […] we have started with a good base in terms of having a good framework and legal regulators.”
The Bill remains under committee review, with its passage dependent on parliamentary consensus amid continued debate over governance structure. However, sustained exploration progress and rising executive urgency suggest increasing momentum toward approval, positioning Namibia to maintain its first oil trajectory if legislative timelines are met.