Namibia has been a multiparty democracy since 1990, with a stable currency pegged to the South African rand and simple rules for foreign capital. In 2026 the country left the FATF "grey list" and launched a new five-year permit for investors. Here are the rules and figures needed for a decision.
The economy in figures
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| GDP, 2025 | N$269.8bn (about US$15bn) |
| Population | 3.02m (2023 census) |
| GDP growth | 1.7% in 2025; IMF forecast for 2026 2.1% |
| Inflation | 4.4% (June 2026) |
| Bank of Namibia repo rate | 6.75% |
| Sovereign rating | BB-, stable outlook (Fitch, May 2026) |
| Reserves | N$55.4bn, 3.5 months of imports |
| Exchange rate | N$ pegged 1:1 to the rand |
| Foreign direct investment | US$2.06bn in 2024; stock US$11bn |
Uranium is the export backbone: Namibia is the world's third-largest producer after Kazakhstan and Canada, and uranium made up 31% of exports in 2025. Alongside it, offshore oil and gas (more), tourism and Walvis Bay port logistics are developing.
Legal framework
- Foreign Investment Act 1990: equal treatment of foreign and local investors and guarantees on capital repatriation.
- 100% foreign ownership of a company is allowed in most sectors. Exceptions: the oil value chain follows a local content policy (at least 51% Namibian ownership for a "Namibian" company); agricultural and communal land is closed to foreigners.
- Urban property is open to foreigners. More: Buying property as a foreigner.
Taxes (September 2026)
| Tax | Rate |
|---|---|
| Corporate income tax (non-mining) | 30%; a cut to 28% is proposed but not yet enacted |
| Dividends to non-residents | 10% where the receiving company holds over 25%, otherwise 20% (a double tax treaty may lower the rate) |
| Interest, royalties, management and consulting fees to non-residents | 10% |
| VAT | 15%; registration mandatory above N$1m turnover in 12 months; direct exports zero-rated |
More on company obligations: Business in Namibia: taxes and compliance.
Money in and out
- Capital inflows through a bank are free.
- Profits and dividends can be repatriated once tax obligations are met.
- Loans from foreign shareholders require Bank of Namibia approval.
- Large international transfers typically take one to two weeks.
The structure (company or branch, double tax treaty, source of capital) is best chosen before the first transfer.
Reputation and banks
- FATF: Namibia was removed from the grey list in June 2026. More: Namibia exits the FATF grey list.
- EU list: Namibia's removal from the EU list of high-risk jurisdictions is expected by the end of 2026, and the EU procedure is under way. Until then, European banks apply enhanced customer due diligence to transfers.
Permits for investors
Since September 2026 the Employment Permit to Conduct Business has been available to investors and business owners for up to five years. It also authorises work in your own company.
- Applications go through NIPDB (Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board), by email or in person in Windhoek.
- NIPDB confirms investor status, assesses the economic contribution and passes the application to the Ministry of Home Affairs; NIPDB processes it within 30 working days.
- A fee of N$2,600 on approval.
- Apply two to three months before entry.
Other permit types are covered in Residence permits in Namibia.
Governance
| Index | Result |
|---|---|
| Ibrahim Index of African Governance | 6th of 54 |
| Press freedom index | 28th in the world |
| Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 | 46/100, 65th of 180 |
Where to start
- Choose a direction: services, rental property, tourism, services for the oil and gas chain.
- Choose a structure and register the company. According to our partners' experience, company registration takes up to 15 days. Step by step: Register a company in Namibia.
- Open a corporate account: Corporate bank account.
- Obtain a permit through NIPDB.
How we help
We support company registration, corporate and personal accounts, licences and permits, rental property selection, and organise business tours with in-person meetings. The structure and launch plan are discussed at the first free consultation.
This material is provided for reference. Data as of October 2026; rates and rules are published by NamRA, the Bank of Namibia, NIPDB and the ministries.