Namibia launches new five-year investor permit to ease business entry

The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) has launched a new ‘Employment Permit to Conduct Business’, also referred to as an Investor Permit, to streamline the entry of foreign investors into the country. Effective as of 1 September, the permit can be issued for up to five years and functions as work authorization for approved investment-related activities.

The initiative aims to modernize immigration administration, improve the ease of doing business, and enhance Namibia’s competitiveness as a regional investment destination. The permit follows commitments made by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during the Namibia Public Private Forum held in October 2025.

Under the new process, the NIPDB acts as the initial point of submission. The board is responsible for confirming investor status and conducting economic evaluations to ensure investments align with national priorities, such as job creation, innovation, and industrialization. Once the NIPDB completes its assessment, applications proceed to the immigration stage for final processing.