Faced with a sharp increase in energy costs on international markets, Namibia has decided to strengthen its support for the oil sector in order to limit the impact of the surge in fuel prices on the national economy. The Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, Modestus Amutse, announced on May 11, 2026, that the National Energy Fund (NEF) will mobilize around USD 79 million to cover part of the costs related to the supply of petroleum products during the months of April and May 2026. This public intervention aims to protect consumers, preserve the competitiveness of businesses, and ensure the stability of energy supply in a particularly volatile global context.
This measure comes as the country’s economic outlook remains under pressure. Namibia’s economic growth is now projected at 2.6% in 2026 and 2.9% in 2027, in an environment marked by rising oil prices, increasing logistical costs, and persistent tensions in global supply chains. According to authorities, the financial support from the NEF will help cushion the effects of international shocks and prevent a sharp impact of price increases on households and on industries heavily dependent on fuels.
Minister Modestus Amutse specified that “the government plans to provide USD 79 million through the National Energy Fund to pay petroleum product suppliers for April and May 2026, in order to mitigate the impact of shocks on international prices and ensure the continuity of oil supply in Namibia.” Authorities consider this intervention essential to maintain economic stability and avoid major disruptions in transportation, industrial production, and distribution activities.
Despite this public support, pump prices have been readjusted since May 8, 2026, to reduce accumulated under-recoveries in the domestic market. Authorities mention discrepancies reaching up to 2.81 Namibian dollars for gasoline, as well as 9.74 and 9.68 Namibian dollars for the two categories of diesel. The ministry, however, reassured the population and economic operators, stating that national fuel reserves remain sufficient and that no shortages are expected in the short term.
The government also emphasizes that the current rise in fuel prices is mainly due to external factors. The base price calculations for April and May 2026 notably include exceptional supply premiums imposed by international suppliers. In addition, the increase in crude oil prices, rising maritime freight and insurance costs, international geopolitical tensions, and exchange rate fluctuations are taken into account. According to authorities, these different elements have generated an estimated overall extra cost of USD 18.3 million over the period concerned.
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, particularly around relations between Iran, Israel, and the United States, are among the main factors behind this surge in global oil prices. The depreciation of the Namibian dollar (NAD) against the US dollar, as well as the increase in supply premiums, have also increased pressures on the import costs of petroleum products. In this context, the Namibian government’s intervention appears as a stabilization measure aimed at preserving the balance of the energy market while limiting the economic and social repercussions of this international fuel crisis.
