Hon. Modestus Amutse is Namibia’s Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy, appointed by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah with effect from 2 December 2025. His ministry is responsible for industrial development and for Namibia’s mineral, geological and energy resources at a time when the country is preparing for offshore oil production, expanding domestic power generation and seeking a larger role in global supply chains for critical minerals such as lithium, graphite, uranium and rare earth elements.

Born in Oshikuku in the Omusati Region, Amutse worked in broadcasting and journalism before entering public office, serving as Chief Reporter for television news and current affairs at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) until 2005. He later spent ten years as the regional councillor for the Oshikuku Constituency and chaired the Omusati Regional Council from 2015 to 2019.

Amutse entered the National Assembly after the 2019 general election and chaired its Standing Committee on ICT and Innovation from 2020 to 2024. He served as Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology from February 2024 to March 2025 and is a member of the National Assembly for the 2025–2030 term. His qualifications include a Master of Business Administration from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) and a master’s degree in communication.

As minister, Amutse has prioritised local value addition, arguing that Namibia should process more of its minerals at home and act as a processor and industrial partner rather than only a supplier of raw materials. He has called for stronger oversight of mineral production and exports, more domestic renewable generation to reduce reliance on imported electricity, and a green industrial strategy that uses renewable energy and green hydrogen to produce goods such as green iron and fertiliser. He has also stressed local content and onshore readiness as Namibia prepares for oil production, alongside new financing models to widen access to energy.