Fuel smuggling from Angola into Namibia is costing the country an estimated N$300 million in lost levies for the National Energy Fund (NEF) every year.
This was revealed by Anna Libana, the director of energy funds, during a panel discussion at the Ongwediva Trade Fair Centre on Wednesday.
The discussion, hosted by the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), focused on the pressing topic of the impact of illegal fuel smuggling in Namibia.
According to Libana, northern Namibia consumes on average 180 to 200 million litres of fuel per year – roughly 12.5 million to 15 million litres per month.
“However, over the past five years, volumes have declined by 30 to 40%, which translates to an estimated N$300 million in lost levies for the NEF per year,” she said.
Libana said this issue has evolved into more than just an economic challenge – it now threatens Namibia’s fiscal stability, energy security, and even the safety of law enforcement officers.
She said the lost revenue is weakening the NEF’s ability to equalise fuel prices across the country, a vital function for economic stability.
Nampa earlier this year reported that the police in the Oshana region confiscated over 776 000 litres of illegal fuel between January 2024 and May 2025, estimated at N$17 million.
This confiscated fuel is currently being stored at various police stations, creating a serious safety hazard for officers, the public, and surrounding infrastructure.
Panellists from the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy also included Andreas Sheehama, the chief petroleum inspector of the Petroleum Affairs Directorate, and Abednego Ekandjo, the acting deputy director of petroleum downstream and chief economist of fuel pricing at the Petroleum Affairs Directorate. – Nampa
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