What is the process of setting up a company in Namibia?
Below is a Namibia‑specific overview of how to incorporate a company:
1. Choose the vehicle and structure
- Decide on the entity type (most commonly a private company limited by shares (i.e. (Pty) Ltd); however public companies and companies limited by guarantee are also available).
- Determine the share capital structure, shareholders, directors, company secretary, auditors and registered office.
- List main business activities (limited to five main activities).
- Confirm any sector‑specific licensing that may apply to your intended activities (for example, Bank of Namibia, the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA), Namibian Broadcasting Corporation/Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), Health Professions Council, Ministry of Mines and Energy, etc.).
2. Reserve the company name with BIPA
- BIPA is the companies registrar.
- Submit a name reservation application via BIPA’s e‑registry or in person (provide up to three options).
- Ensure the name is distinctive and compliant with restrictions and suffix rules (e.g. “(Pty) Ltd” for private companies).
3. Prepare incorporation documents
- Draft the company’s founding documents: the memorandum and articles of association (the default form is acceptable for many businesses, but tailored provisions are often advisable).
- Prepare statutory particulars for filing: registered office address, full particulars of directors and initial shareholders, issued share capital, completed beneficial ownership forms and directors' consents to act.
- Where applicable, prepare resolutions approving adoption of the articles and appointing the first directors and public officer.
4. File with BIPA and obtain a certificate of incorporation and certificate to commence business
- Lodge the signed incorporation pack with BIPA (electronically or in person) and pay the prescribed fees.
- BIPA will register the company and issue the certificate of incorporation and certificate to commence business (and allocate the registration number).
- If you are registering a foreign entity with a place of business in Namibia, file as an external company rather than incorporating a Namibian company, and submit certified constitutional documents, details of local representatives and the Namibian principal place of business.