New investor permit launched

Namibia has introduced a new Employment Permit to Conduct Business, aimed at making it easier and more predictable for qualifying foreign investors to establish and operate businesses in the country.

The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) said the new permit, also referred to as the Investor Permit, would strengthen Namibia's competitiveness as an investment destination by providing investors with greater certainty and a more streamlined process.

The permit is intended to help the country attract and retain investors who contribute to sustainable economic growth.

The introduction of the permit follows commitments made by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the inaugural Namibia Public Private Forum (NamPPF), hosted by the NIPDB in partnership with the National Planning Commission in October 2025.

The forum was convened to strengthen collaboration between the government and the private sector, with the objective of unlocking investment and improving Namibia's business environment as a catalyst for economic growth.

In an increasingly competitive global investment environment, countries are competing on the certainty, responsiveness and predictability of their business environments.

The speed and ease with which an investor can establish and operate a business are therefore increasingly important factors in determining where capital is deployed.

Ease of access 

The NIPDB said the introduction of the investor permit was an important step towards improving Namibia's ease of doing business and strengthening its overall competitiveness as an investment destination.

"We have listened to the feedback from our investors regarding some of the constraints they face, and this is just one way of demonstrating the government's commitment to improving the ease of doing business in Namibia," said NIPDB acting chief executive Julia Muetudhana.

"This new investor permit gives investors the certainty and long-term security they need to commit to doing business in Namibia. It sends a clear signal that Namibia is not only open for business, but we are ready to provide an environment that allows businesses to thrive and create the necessary jobs for our people," she said.

Following the official launch on Tuesday, the NIPDB urged current and potential investors to apply for the new permit.

It said the permit represented a significant improvement on the existing standard two-year employment permit because it could be issued for up to five years and would also serve as work authorisation.

The NIPDB said this would give qualifying investors and their core staff greater certainty for long-term planning and business operations in Namibia.

Application and assessment process

Under the procedures established by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS), applications for the Employment Permit to Conduct a Business must be submitted through the NIPDB, which serves as the designated first point of contact.

As part of the assessment process, the NIPDB confirms the investor's status and conducts an economic evaluation of the proposed investment.

After completing the assessment, the NIPDB submits its recommendation to MHAISS for consideration by the Immigration Selection Board.

The NIPDB's role in the process ends when its recommendation is submitted to MHAISS.

The final decision on an application rests with MHAISS, which is the authorised institution responsible for issuing visas and permits.

The prescribed application forms and supporting documentation requirements are available from NIPDB offices and its website, as well as from MHAISS offices countrywide and its website.

Qualification criteria

The new permit is intended for foreign investors whose investor status has been confirmed by the NIPDB.

Applicants must submit a complete application using the prescribed form, together with all required supporting documents, and meet the applicable criteria assessed by the NIPDB.

Applicants who do not qualify for the five-year permit should apply through the existing Employment Permit process administered by MHAISS.

The NIPDB said Namibia's efforts to attract quality investment were aimed at supporting employment creation and accelerating industrialisation.

It said it remained committed to facilitating engagement between the government and private sector to ensure that policies affecting investors remained responsive and aligned with changes in the global business environment.

Investors seeking more information about the new permit can contact investorpermit@nipdb.com.