TIRI MASAWI
Newly appointed Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, has criticised some mining companies operating in Namibia for not fully declaring their profits.
Speaking to staff members of the ministry on Monday, Amutse challenged mining companies to implement tangible corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes that genuinely benefit Namibians.
“I also want to address the implementation of Exploration Prospecting Licenses (EPLs). We must come up with a way that compels the miners to have some sort of tangible corporate social responsibility that benefits our people.
“You have a mine somewhere here and you are boasting of having made profit, but sometimes you don’t declare your profits knowing there are grey areas,” he said.
Amutse’s push for tangible investment marks a slight shift from his predecessor, Natangue Ithete, who had encouraged a majority stake in future ventures in the extractive industry.
While Ithete focused on government participation in mining projects, Amutse is emphasising stricter oversight and ensuring that profits are fully declared and invested locally.
According to the minister, the government will tighten scrutiny on all mining operations to get an accurate understanding of production figures and prevent under-declaration of profits.
“There are loopholes that we need to tighten so we know exactly how much they produce and should pay to the government,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of due diligence when issuing EPLs to ensure Namibia’s resources are not sold to the highest bidder at the expense of local development.
“Most of these mines are owned by people who are not from Namibia. I am not against them, but the people from where they come from live better than Namibians,” he said.
He added “That is why we must compel them to make sure they improve the lives of our people. That is what other countries do. I am not afraid to face them. We have to face them, we need to talk to them and they must comply.”
While mining companies are earning billions in profits in Namibia, the minister said they are not doing enough to improve the lives of citizens.
Amutse also called for a review of Namibia’s energy policies, highlighting the need for self-sufficiency and urgent solutions to cut electricity imports.
“I know many companies are eager to venture into the energy sector, but the problem is our efficiency to accommodate various initiatives to ease the burden of electricity generation and supply.
“In other countries, they plan for a week and the next day they are already implementing. I think there are a lot of files in your office and some of them came to you last year. Personally, I think this is an area we need to improve,” he said.
“The other time I was asking somebody: What is preventing us from making decisions that can get energy from our rich sun? Maybe a combination of solar and other sources that can produce green energy,” Amutse added.
He also urged the government to have a clear plan on preferred energy sources.
“Somebody was talking about white hydrogen which is important and in high demand. But that one is up to us to open up for such, but we must do it with due diligence to not compromise the security of the country.
“Whether it’s in mining, oil, or energy, we must exercise that due diligence,” he said.
Amutse’s remarks mirrored President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s call last week for the government to move decisively from planning to implementation.
“Good policies without implementation are just as good as nothing, as they do not change people’s lives,” the President said during the Namibian Institute of Public Administration and Management event on 4 December 2025.
After eight months in office, Nandi-Ndaitwah said the era of “business unusual” must now translate into visible impact for citizens. She praised the Cabinet and governors for their collective efforts, saying that “your hard work has not gone unnoticed,” but cautioned that recent electoral victories should be seen as a renewed call for improved service delivery.
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