Research and consulting in Namibia

Country overview:

IOA has been a decade-long provider of research and data-based consulting services on Namibia. Our economists have noted the increasing role that transportation is having in national development from the recent expansion of the port of Walvis Bay to the upgrade of the port at Lüderitz, as well as the Walvis Bay Development Corridor that links these facilities by road to landlocked countries in Southern Africa’s interior. Goods from these countries are increasingly being exported through Namibia, boosting the local services sector. The democratic government is stable and is committed to rule of law and human rights.

The tourism and mining sectors are well-established but are small, relative to neighbouring countries. The largely arid nation is vulnerable to further warming effects due to climate change. Fishing remains a major industry and investor attraction.

Key opportunities in Namibia:

Investment in ports and transportation infrastructure is paying off in their usage for exporting goods from other Southern African countries
Fisheries will continue to support a lucrative fishing industry and value-added manufacturing
Namibia’s beautiful interior deserts and desert coastline support a growing tourism industry

Key concerns/risks in Namibia:

The local industrial base is small, necessitating high import bills for consumer goods and other needs
The country’s hot, arid environment is vulnerable to worsening by global warming
Economic inequity is a primary social dilemma

Find out about how IOA can help you with research and consulting services in Namibia

Tips on doing business in Namibia:

Starting a business:

There are no legal restrictions within Namibia in terms of foreign ownership of locally incorporated companies; the exception is for ownership of agricultural land, which is barred to foreigners, and other selected industries. Foreigners are allowed to freely invest in the local real estate market, provided they can acquire the necessary permits
Initiating the business registration process can be initiated by registering one’s trademark at the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA), which forms part of the one stop shop registrations of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Centre
(Read more at: https://www.namibiahc.org.uk/investment-opportunities.php#:~:text=Why%20invest%20in%20Namibia%3F&text=Investment%20opportunities%20exist%20in%20value,establishment%20of%20a%20cotton%20ginnery)

Doing business:

The Namibian government’s foreign investment policy is geared towards developing the country’s extractive industries through the addition of value-added manufacturing. These include special building allowances, a guaranteed flat corporate tax rate for 10 years, VAT exemption on the purchase and import of manufacturing machinery and equipment and cash grants for export promotion activities
Challenges include a small domestic market with limited regional links, government corruption, safety concerns from crime and intermittent access to utilities

Culture and society:

The Namibian authorities have made efforts to introduce English as a language of business and administration in recent decades, which streamlines the integration process for investors coming from other Anglophone markets. A smaller, German-speaking business community also exists and enjoys prominence in the agricultural sector
Namibia has some crime hotspots within its urban areas, particularly the towns of Windhoek and Swakopmund. It is advisable not to travel alone after dark when in these areas