The Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy has appointed Aune Amutenya as Acting Petroleum Commissioner, replacing Maggy Shino as Namibia’s chief petroleum regulator at a critical time for the country’s fast-growing oil and gas sector.
Industries, Mines and Energy Minister Modestus Amutse announced the appointment on Wednesday, confirming that Amutenya assumed the role on 2 June 2026.
Amutenya currently serves as Deputy Director of Petroleum Exploration and Production and takes over the position in terms of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act of 1991.
“The Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy hereby notifies the public and stakeholders in the oil and gas sector of the appointment of Ms Aune Amutenya, Deputy Director of Petroleum Exploration and Production, as the Acting Petroleum Commissioner, in terms of Part II, Sections 3 to 7, of the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act, 1991,” the ministry said.
The appointment follows the removal of Maggy Shino as Petroleum Commissioner, ending her tenure as the country’s top petroleum regulator amid ongoing efforts by government to reshape oversight of the upstream oil and gas sector.
Despite relinquishing the commissioner role, Shino will remain within the ministry as Director of Upstream Petroleum Affairs.
“Her appointment follows the relief of Ms Maggy Shino as Petroleum Commissioner. Ms Shino will continue to serve in her current capacity as Director under the Department of Upstream Petroleum Affairs,” the ministry said.
The leadership change comes as Namibia’s petroleum sector enters a pivotal phase, with international oil companies advancing appraisal and development programmes following a series of major offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin.
The appointment also coincides with government’s proposed reforms to petroleum governance, including plans to establish an Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Presidency, a move that has triggered debate over the future structure of oil and gas regulation in Namibia.
Amutenya now assumes responsibility for overseeing regulatory functions in one of the country’s most strategically important sectors as Namibia positions itself for potential first oil production within the next decade.
