Namibia's Energy Minister grants exclusive fuel import mandate to Swiss company Vitol amid conflict of interest concerns
via The Namibian3 min read
Namibia's Energy Minister Modestus Amutse has granted an exclusive mandate to Swiss commodity trader Vitol to supply all of Namibia's fuel needs from June to August, a contract valued at an estimated N$2.4 billion per month. This decision has raised concerns about potential capture of the fuel sector, particularly as Vitol has faced bribery allegations in other countries. The move is seen as undermining the Namibian Competition Commission, which falls under Amutse's portfolio. The commission had previously imposed a condition on Nasan Energies, co-founded by Miguel Hamutenya, prohibiting it from sourcing fuel from Vitol for five years after Nasan acquired 52 petrol stations, some from Vitol-owned Vivo Energy. Nasan is appealing this ban through Minister Amutse, yet the minister has simultaneously awarded the national fuel supply contract to Vitol. Miguel Hamutenya's father, Mathews, co-owns Validus Energy with Vitol, holding 35% through Millennium Investments, which also co-owns a farming business with the president鈥檚 son, Ndeli Ndaitwah. While Amutse claims the deal will save the government N$1 billion over three months, the lack of transparency regarding Vitol's selection and the financial details has fueled suspicion. Critics argue that this situation mirrors a 2003 petroleum enrichment scandal involving politically connected Namibians and South African energy firm Sasol, which saw regulations changed to favor a consortium that secured a N$4 billion state contract. The cur
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