Visa key to Namibia’s investment appeal
The visa regime for foreign investors emerged as a central theme during the launch of the Namibia Investment Guide yesterday in Windhoek. Economist Salomon Hei emphasised that regulatory certainty, including work permit and immigration processes, is critical for attracting and retaining investment in the country.
Speaking at the event, Hei noted that while Namibia has experienced steady economic growth over the past 35 years, much of it has not been inclusive. He stated that investors require clear guidance on visa and work permit requirements to commit to projects. “Investors need clarity on immigration and work permit requirements. Without certainty, they cannot keep investors mid-air. They either need to lend or they need to take off,” Hei said. He described the guide’s immigration-focused volume as providing a roadmap for aligning investment plans with Namibia’s labour and regulatory frameworks, thereby reducing the uncertainty that can discourage foreign investment.
These remarks complement the announcement made last October by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah regarding the introduction of a five-year visa option for serious investors. Speaking at the Public-Private Partnership Forum in Windhoek, she stressed that the visa application process needs urgent review to make it easier for investors and visitors.
“Serious investors should be granted five-year permits, and the visa regime must be reviewed and application forms simplified to make it easier for investors and visitors to access the special visa programme,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said. The President also called for additional arrival counters at Hosea Kutako International Airport to reduce delays and urged the enactment of the migration bill before the end of the financial year.
At the launch, Namibia Investment and Promotion Development Board acting CEO Jessica Hauanga emphasised that the guide aims to strengthen Namibia’s competitiveness and ease of doing business by reducing uncertainty for both domestic and foreign investors. “With this guide in place as a trusted source of credible information, investors will have the necessary information to make informed decisions,” she said. Hauanga noted that only four of the seven volumes have been finalised and launched, covering the Country Profile, Investment Climate, Business Procedures, and Banking and Foreign Currency Regulations.
The guide’s volumes are intended to provide detailed guidance on regulatory and policy frameworks, with a dedicated section on immigration and labour regulations still under development. Hauanga highlighted the collaborative approach taken in compiling the guide, which involved multiple government ministries and private-sector partners to ensure accurate and relevant information for investors navigating Namibia’s regulatory environment.
Private-sector perspectives also underlined the importance of regulatory certainty. Christiaan Johannes, Director of Cronjé Inc., said that while Namibia is not a difficult place to start a business, local companies face challenges scaling into regional or continental champions. “To grow beyond small operations, investors and entrepreneurs need fewer regulatory barriers and more infrastructure to expand successfully,” Johannes said, reinforcing Hei’s point that clear visa and work permit rules are critical for facilitating investment.
