President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s recent announcement of a five-year visa for serious investors marks a decisive and forward-thinking step in Namibia’s quest to become a truly competitive investment destination. Speaking at the launch of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Forum in Windhoek, the President not only underscored her administration’s recognition of the bureaucratic barriers that discourage investment but also signaled a broader philosophical shift, from gatekeeping to gateway.
For years, investors have lamented Namibia’s slow, paper-heavy, and often frustrating visa and business registration processes. The President’s call for a simplified, investor-friendly visa regime acknowledges this bottleneck and proposes a solution aligned with the realities of a fast-moving global economy. If implemented swiftly and thoughtfully, this initiative could redefine Namibia’s ease of doing business profile and send a strong message to global markets: Namibia is open for serious business.
Around the world, investor visa programmes have become a central tool in economic diplomacy and development.
Countries like Mauritius, Rwanda, and the United Arab Emirates have successfully used long-term investor visas to attract talent, capital, and technology. Mauritius, for example, offers a 10-year investor visa for those who commit a minimum investment of US$375 000 in eligible sectors. This policy helped transform the island nation into a financial and innovation hub in under two decades.
Closer to home, Rwanda’s approach is equally instructive. Through the Rwanda Development Board’s “One-Stop Centre,” investors can obtain business registration, work permits, and residence visas within 48 hours. The clarity and speed of the process have made Kigali one of Africa’s most admired investment destinations, consistently ranking near the top of the World Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business” index.
By comparison, Namibia has often been seen as an underperformed, rich in resources but slow in systems. The President’s five-year visa initiative therefore represents more than administrative reform; it’s a symbolic commitment to modernisation and trust in the private sector. It sends a clear message: Namibia wants to compete not just on its natural endowments but on its efficiency and predictability.
Equally noteworthy is the President’s call for the simplification of visa application forms and the expansion of arrival counters at Hosea Kutako International Airport. These may appear to be minor administrative details, but they touch on a deeper truth, that first impressions matter. For too long, visitors to Namibia have had to endure long queues, confusing paperwork, and uncertain timelines.
The President’s acknowledgment of these frustrations demonstrates a new tone of responsiveness in government. It suggests a leadership style that listens and acts. By prioritizing the experience of investors and tourists alike, she is making a practical statement about Namibia’s brand, that it should be as hospitable in process as it is in people.
The proposed Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) one-stop business hub, scheduled to open in November, complements this vision perfectly. If executed properly, it could remove one of the most persistent obstacles to doing business in Namibia, fragmentation. By bringing all key services under one roof, the government can significantly reduce the time and cost it takes to start and register a company.
The urgency of implementation
However, good policy intentions must translate into swift execution. The President’s announcement, while commendable, must not be allowed to languish in the long corridors of bureaucratic indecision. The fact that no specific funding was allocated for the visa programme in the mid-term budget review is worrying. Without financial backing and a clear regulatory framework, this progressive vision risks becoming yet another well-meaning announcement that fades with time.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security — alongside the ministries of Finance, Trade, and Labour, must work in lockstep to ensure that the investor visa is rolled out efficiently, transparently, and with clearly defined qualifying criteria. The President’s call for the migration bill to be enacted before the end of the financial year must also be treated as a matter of national priority.
A policy is only as effective as its execution. Investors are watching closely — not for grand speeches, but for implementation milestones. They want certainty, clarity, and consistency.
While Namibia should be commended for its new openness, policymakers must ensure that the five-year visa programme does not inadvertently create loopholes for exploitation. The criteria for qualification must be clear, fair, and in line with national development priorities.
For instance, the government could consider tiered investment thresholds linked to sectors of strategic importance, such as renewable energy, manufacturing, tourism, and technology, rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. This would ensure that the programme attracts investors who bring not just capital, but also skills, jobs, and innovation.
Furthermore, the programme should include a robust monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with investment commitments. Other countries, including Portugal and Canada, have learned the hard way that investor visa programmes can be abused if oversight is lax. Namibia has the opportunity to learn from those experiences and design a policy that balances openness with accountability.
Perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the President’s announcement is its tone. It signals confidence, in Namibia’s institutions, in its people, and in its ability to compete globally. For too long, public discourse around investment has been defensive, often clouded by suspicion of foreign capital. Nandi-Ndaitwah’s message is different: Namibia can protect its interests while still embracing the world.
Her emphasis on progressive taxation and a fairer fiscal regime, including potential tax reductions in mining, aligns well with the broader theme of economic renewal. Together with the establishment of three task forces on economic recovery, health, and housing, the President’s approach reflects a hands-on, results-oriented leadership style that blends vision with accountability.
Namibia’s economic future depends on its ability to create an enabling environment where capital feels welcome and bureaucracy feels invisible. The five-year investor visa, if executed well, could be the bridge between potential and performance. It can become the cornerstone of a new era of investor confidence — one that positions Namibia not as a peripheral market but as a regional hub for investment and innovation.
For that to happen, implementation must be swift, transparent, and anchored in a spirit of partnership between government and the private sector. President Nandi-Ndaitwah has drawn the map. Now, the nation must build the road.
