In Namibia, a contentious oil bill is drawing backlash from opposition parties who fear that transferring oil and gas regulatory powers from the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Energy to the Presidency could lead to increased political meddling and corruption risks. The opposition is particularly concerned that consolidating such power in the hands of the Presidency would limit public oversight and transparency, as decisions would no longer be directly accountable to the parliament.

The bill requires the attendance and votes of all Swapo members of parliament for its passage; currently, the ruling party holds 51 out of 96 parliamentary seats. To approve the bill, a simple majority of more than 50% of voting members in the National Assembly is necessary. This necessitates all Swapo members to be present during the voting process, putting pressure on the ruling party to consolidate support amidst growing dissent from opposition factions.

Affirmative Repositioning (AR) chief whip Vaino Hangula explicitly stated the group's opposition to the bill in its present form, emphasizing that the shift in regulatory authority could lead to a problematic concentration of power that would enable unchecked influence over policy and the issuance of licenses. The growing concerns underscore a broader dialogue about governance and accountability in Namibia's oil and gas sector as the country seeks to navigate its emerging hydrocarbon landscape while safeguarding democratic principles.