Republic of Namibia Name in national languages
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| Motto: "Unity, Liberty, Justice" | |||||||||||||||||
| Anthem: "Namibia, Land of the Brave" | |||||||||||||||||
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| Capital and largest city | Windhoek 22°34′S 17°5′E / 22.567°S 17.083°E | ||||||||||||||||
| Official languages | English | ||||||||||||||||
| Recognised national languages | |||||||||||||||||
| Recognised regional languages | |||||||||||||||||
| Ethnic groups (2023) | |||||||||||||||||
| Religion (2023) |
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| Demonym(s) | Namibian | ||||||||||||||||
| Government | Unitary semi-presidential republic | ||||||||||||||||
| Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah | |||||||||||||||||
| Lucia Witbooi | |||||||||||||||||
| Elijah Ngurare | |||||||||||||||||
| Natangwe Ithete | |||||||||||||||||
| Peter Shivute | |||||||||||||||||
| Legislature | Parliament | ||||||||||||||||
| National Council | |||||||||||||||||
| National Assembly | |||||||||||||||||
| Independence from South Africa | |||||||||||||||||
| 9 February 1990 | |||||||||||||||||
| 21 March 1990 | |||||||||||||||||
| Area | |||||||||||||||||
Total | 825,615 km2 (318,772 sq mi) (34th) | ||||||||||||||||
Water (%) | negligible | ||||||||||||||||
| Population | |||||||||||||||||
2025 census |  3,022,401 (138th) | ||||||||||||||||
Density | 3.7/km2 (9.6/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||||
| GDP (PPP) | 2025 estimate | ||||||||||||||||
Total |  $37.73 billion (145th) | ||||||||||||||||
Per capita | $12,370 (117th) | ||||||||||||||||
| GDP (nominal) | 2025 estimate | ||||||||||||||||
Total | $14.21 billion (145th) | ||||||||||||||||
Per capita | $4,660 (120th) | ||||||||||||||||
| Gini (2015) | 59.1 high inequality | ||||||||||||||||
| HDI (2023) | 0.665 medium (136th) | ||||||||||||||||
| Currency | Namibian dollar (NAD) South African rand (ZAR) | ||||||||||||||||
| Time zone | UTC+2 (CAT) | ||||||||||||||||
| Date format | dd/mm/yyyy | ||||||||||||||||
| Calling code | +264 | ||||||||||||||||
| ISO 3166 code | NA | ||||||||||||||||
| Internet TLD | .na | ||||||||||||||||
If you’re looking to start a business in Namibia, you’ll need to register your company with the government. The process of registering a business in Namibia can seem daunting, but it’s fairly straightforward if you follow the proper steps. In this article, we’ll outline the steps you need to take to register your business in Namibia.
Table of Contents
Choose a Business Name
The first step in registering your business in Namibia is to choose a name for your company. The name must be unique and not already in use by another company. You can check the availability of your chosen business name on the website of the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA), the organization responsible for registering businesses in Namibia.
Determine your Business Structure
The next step is to determine the structure of your business. In Namibia, you can choose from the following types of business structures:
Sole Proprietorship: A business owned and operated by one person
Partnership: A business owned and operated by two or more people
Company: A legal entity separate from its owners
Close Corporation: A type of company with limited liability and fewer legal formalities than a regular company
Each business structure has its own legal and tax implications, so it’s important to carefully consider which structure is best for your business.
Register with BIPA
Once you’ve chosen a business name and structure, you’ll need to register your business with BIPA. This can be done online or in-person at a BIPA office. You’ll need to provide the following information:
Your chosen business name
Your business structure
Your business address
Contact information for your business
Details about the owners and directors of your business
You’ll also need to pay a registration fee based on the type of business structure you’ve chosen.
Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits
Depending on the type of business you’re starting, you may need to obtain additional licenses and permits from the Namibian government. For example, if you’re starting a restaurant, you’ll need to obtain a health permit from the Ministry of Health and Social Services. You can find more information about the licenses and permits you need on the website of the Ministry of Industrialization and Trade.
Register for Taxes
All businesses in Namibia are required to register for taxes with the Ministry of Finance. You’ll need to obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and register for Value Added Tax (VAT) if your business’s annual turnover exceeds NAD 500,000. You can find more information about registering for taxes on the website of the Namibia Revenue Agency.
Open a Business Bank Account
Once your business is registered and you have all necessary licenses and permits, you’ll need to open a business bank account. This will allow you to keep your personal and business finances separate, which is important for tax purposes.
Generis Global can Help
Starting a business in Namibia can be a complex process, but Generis Global can help. Our team of legal experts can guide you through the process of registering your business, obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and complying with tax requirements. Contact us today to learn how we can help you start and grow your business in Namibia.
