Promote:
Invest in Namibia
A short guide for companies expanding into Namibia: the economy at a glance, the rules and steps to set up, and who can help, each with its source.
1. Namibia at a glance
PopulationEstimate
3.09 million
Namibia's population was 3,092,816 people in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, Namibia population, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP
US$15.1 billion
GDP was US$15.08 billion in current dollars in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, Namibia GDP, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
GDP per person
US$4,876
GDP per person was US$4,875.93 in current dollars in 2025.
Source: World Bank WDI, Namibia GDP per person, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Real GDP growth
1.7%
Real GDP growth was 1.7 percent in 2025, by the World Bank's figure.
Source: World Bank WDI, Namibia real GDP growth, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Inflation
5.4%
Annual inflation was 5.4 percent in September 2026, the statistics office's twelve-month rate.
Source: Namibia Statistics Agency, CPI bulletin, September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of September 2026
Foreign direct investment inflows
US$1.45 billion
Foreign direct investment inflows were US$1.45 billion in 2025, per UNCTAD.
Source: UNCTADstat, foreign direct investment inflows, Namibia (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
The currency is the Namibia dollar (ISO code NAD).
Source: Bank of Namibia, home page, October 2026 policy statement (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
2. Before you set up
The investment agency, any one-stop route, the sectors reserved for nationals and the zones, as the guide found them.
The investment promotion agency is the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, set up in January 2021.
Source: NIPDB, investment frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
NIPDB offers centralized investor services from a one-stop center.
Source: NIPDB, Why Namibia and trade agreements page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Section 3(4) of the 1990 Act allows activities to be reserved for Namibians, and NIPDB says it has not been used.
Source: NIPDB, investment frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
NIPDB's FAQ lists no special economic zones or industrial parks and says a Special Economic Zones law is being formulated.
Source: NIPDB, investment frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
3. Steps to set up
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Setting up in Namibia
- Register the company, close corporation or other business form.Business and Intellectual Property AuthorityName reservation N$75, about 3 working days; registration up to 25 working daysOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: NIPDB, Investment Guide, Volume 3, starting a business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Register with NamRA for a Tax Identification Number, and for VAT above the turnover threshold.Namibia Revenue AgencyVAT threshold N$500,000 of annual taxable turnoverOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: NIPDB, Investment Guide, Volume 3, starting a business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Apply for a Certificate of Status Investment only if your project qualifies as a status investment.Minister responsible under the Foreign Investments Act, 1990A few weeks to several monthsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: NIPDB, investment frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Obtain the license for your sector from the ministry or regulator that issues it.Sector ministries and regulatorsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: NIPDB, investment frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Show 4 more set-up steps
- Apply for an employment permit or the Investor Permit, and residence permits for family members.Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and SecurityEmployment permits typically 2 to 3 weeks, valid 24 monthsOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: NIPDB, establishing a business in Namibia (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Choose premises or land, noting that foreign nationals face limits on agricultural land.Ministry responsible for land reformOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: NIPDB, Investment Guide, Volume 7, land access (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Open a business bank account with the registration documents, the board resolution and a valid permit.Commercial banksOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: NIPDB, establishing a business in Namibia (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Apply exchange control rules to capital inflows, dividends and transfers, using an authorized dealer bank.Bank of NamibiaAuthorized dealers may approve transfers up to N$10 million per transactionOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: NIPDB, Investment Guide, Volume 6, banking and currency (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
4. Organizations that help investors
Start with NIPDB and NamRA. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Investment and business setup
- Get advice
Investment and trade promotion
NIPDB
Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board
Helps investors with business registration, permits, licenses and aftercare, and publishes the Namibia Exporters Guide for new exporters.
Visit NIPDB (opens in a new tab)Source: NIPDB, investment frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Meet requirements
Business and IP registry
BIPA
Business and Intellectual Property Authority
Registers companies and close corporations, and registers trademarks and other intellectual property rights.
Visit BIPA (opens in a new tab)Source: BIPA, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Show 3 more organizations
- Meet requirements
Central bank and exchange control
BoN
Bank of Namibia
Administers exchange control, which applies to payments abroad and to sending foreign currency out of Namibia.
Visit BoN (opens in a new tab)Source: Bank of Namibia, exchange control legal framework (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Meet requirements
Competition authority
NaCC
Namibian Competition Commission
Reviews notified mergers that meet the thresholds, before they complete.
Visit NaCC (opens in a new tab)Source: NIPDB, Investment Guide, Volume 3, starting a business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Find finance
Development finance institution
DBN
Development Bank of Namibia
Provides business finance and guidance to small and medium enterprises.
Visit DBN (opens in a new tab)Source: Development Bank of Namibia, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Tax and customs authority
NamRA
Namibia Revenue Agency
Administers customs and tax, registers exporters for trade preferences, and issues the electronic certificate of origin.
Visit NamRA (opens in a new tab)Source: NamRA, annual report 2023/24 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Meet requirements
Social security authority
SSC
Social Security Commission
Receives employer registrations and the social security contributions that apply to employees.
Visit SSC (opens in a new tab)Source: NIPDB, Investment Guide, Volume 3, starting a business (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Show 2 more organizations
- Meet requirements
National port authority
Namport
Namibian Ports Authority
Manages the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz, the sea gateways for Namibian cargo.
Visit Namport (opens in a new tab)Source: Namport, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Meet requirements
Customs union secretariat
SACU
Southern African Customs Union Secretariat
Regional body
Administers the customs union and publishes its trade agreements with other countries and blocs.
Visit SACU (opens in a new tab)Source: SACU Secretariat, trade agreements register (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
National chamber of commerce
NCCI
Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Supports members with investor facilitation, trade missions and certificates of origin.
Visit NCCI (opens in a new tab)Source: NCCI, home page and trade services (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
- Get advice
Mining industry association
Chamber of Mines
Chamber of Mines of Namibia
Speaks for the mining industry on policy and sets ethical conduct standards for its members.
Visit Chamber of Mines (opens in a new tab)Source: Chamber of Mines of Namibia, home page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
5. Worth knowing
Logistics and border performance
NamRA's 2023 time release study found average clearance of imported goods at Walvis Bay took 19 days, 7 hours and 32 minutes.
What to do: Ask your clearing agent for current release times at your port or border post.
Source: NamRA, annual report 2023/24 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Reserved sectors
Section 3(4) of the 1990 Act lets sectors be reserved for Namibians, but NIPDB says it has not been used, and the pending bill would let the Minister reserve sectors.
What to do: Ask NIPDB about the bill's status before you commit capital.
Sources: NIPDB, investment frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab); National Assembly of Namibia, Investment Promotion Bill profile (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Special economic zones
NIPDB's 2026 tax guide says the export processing zone regime was phased out by 31 December 2025 and is likely to be replaced by a Special Economic Zones law.
What to do: Ask NIPDB which zone incentives apply to your project before you build your project around them.
Sources: NIPDB, Namibia Investment Guide 2026, Volume 5 (tax) (opens in a new tab); NIPDB, investment frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Public debt and arrears
The World Bank estimates the 2025 fiscal deficit at 6.5 percent of GDP and public debt at 67.5 percent of GDP.
What to do: Confirm payment terms and timing with the paying ministry before you contract with government.
Source: World Bank, Namibia country overview, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
Show 1 more
Investor permit
An Employment Permit to Conduct a Business, valid for up to five years, started on 1 September 2026, and applications go first through NIPDB.
What to do: Contact NIPDB before you apply, since it confirms investor status first.
Source: NIPDB, Investor Permit page, introduced September 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 29, 2026
6. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare Namibia with other countriesSet Namibia beside other countries on investment momentum, fundamentals and trade access, before site, tax and legal work.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
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Promote:Namibia is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 29, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.