Renthia Kaimbi
The Hospitality Association of Namibia (HAN) has questioned why similar exclusive tourism agreements in national parks have not faced scrutiny, such as those of venture arrangements in the Brandberg area.
This week, the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) launched an investigation into joint-venture arrangements in the Brandberg area.
The investigation targets Ultimate Safaris and three conservancies, Doro !Nawas Conservancy, Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancy and Sorris Sorris Conservancy.
It focuses on agreements that grant exclusive tourism rights, which may limit access for other operators.
HAN chief executive officer Gitta Paetzold, in a letter dated 21 April 2026 to NaCC, said the probe could be selective and may harm a model developed with the government through the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.
Paetzold said the private tourism sector is “deeply concerned” about efforts to question the joint-venture model.
She said the model was introduced after changes to the Nature Conservation Act of 1975 in 1996.
The act allows conservancies to partner with private investors and has led to the development of lodges and campsites that support jobs, income and conservation in rural areas.
While regulators are assessing whether these clauses reduce competition, HAN said they are needed to support investment in remote areas.
Paetzold said private operators often fund full infrastructure under build, operate and transfer arrangements.
She expressed that its exclusivity gives investors time to recover costs and maintain operations.
“Without such protections, the financial and operational sustainability of these ventures would be severely undermined,” Paetzold said.
HAN also warned that the probe could send negative signals to investors. It said the sector is already under pressure, citing a decline in tourism activity in early 2026.
NaCC’s investigation follows a complaint lodged on 26 September 2024 by mining claim holder Timoteus Mashuna.
He operates the Goantagab Mine in the Sorris Sorris Conservancy and is involved in a dispute with Ultimate Safaris.
Mashuna claims the company [Ultimate Safaris] is stifling mining operations using an unlawful joint management agreement.
NaCC issued a cautionary notice on 18 December 2024. It instructed the parties to stop conduct that could breach competition laws and to confirm compliance within 30 days.
By January 2026, NaCC said there was no sufficient compliance. This led to the current investigation.
The investigation will assess whether the agreements breach section 23 of the Competition Act, which deals with conduct that prevents or reduces competition.
The managing director of Ultimate Safaris, Tristan Cowley, and the conservancies were notified on 12 March and asked to submit sworn responses within 30 days.
The deadline ended on 12 April.
Mashuna was informed on 14 April that the investigation would proceed.
HAN said any disruption to the joint-venture model could affect investors and rural communities that depend on tourism for income and employment.
