WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  ANNEX 3 - NAMIBIA 
 WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  CONTENTS 
1   ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................... 205  
1.1   Main Features of the Economy .................................................................................. 205  
1.2   Recent Econom ic Developments................................................................................ 207  
1.3   Trade Performance and Investment ........................................................................... 209  
1.4   Outlook ................................................................................................................. 213  
2   TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES ......................................................................... 214  
2.1   General Framework ................................................................................................ 214  
2.2   Trade Agreements and Arrangements ........................................................................ 216  
2.2.1   WTO .................................................................................................................. 216 
2.2.2   Regional and pref erential agr eements ..................................................................... 216  
2.2.3   Other agreements and arrangements ...................................................................... 216  
2.3   Investme nt Regime ................................................................................................ 217  
3   TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE ...................................................... 220  
3.1   Measures Directly  Affecting Import s .......................................................................... 220  
3.1.1   Registration  requirements ..................................................................................... 220  
3.1.2   Customs procedur es and requirements ................................................................... 220  
3.1.3   MFN taxation of imports ........................................................................................ 221  
3.1.3.1   Tariff preferences .............................................................................................. 222  
3.1.3.2   Other duti es and charges ................................................................................... 222  
3.1.4   Rules of origin ..................................................................................................... 2 22 
3.1.5   Import prohibitions, restrictions, an d licensing ......................................................... 223  
3.1.6   Standards and other technical requirements ............................................................ 224  
3.1.7   Sanitary and phyt osanitary requ irements ................................................................ 225  
3.1.8   Other measures ................................................................................................... 227  
3.2   Measures Directly Affecting Exports ........................................................................... 227  
3.2.1   Registration  and procedures .................................................................................. 227  
3.3   Export prohibitions, re strictions, and licensing ............................................................ 227  
3.3.1   Export taxes, charges, and levies ........................................................................... 228  
3.3.2   Export prom otion and su pport ............................................................................... 228  
3.4   Measures Affecting Production an d Trade ................................................................... 231  
3.4.1   Ince ntives .......................................................................................................... 2 31 
3.4.2   Competition policy and price controls ...................................................................... 232  
3.4.3   State trading, state-owned enterprises, and privatization ........................................... 233  
3.4.4   Government  procurement ..................................................................................... 237  
3.4.5   Intellectual property rights .................................................................................... 237  
3.4.5.1   Copyright and neighbouring rights ....................................................................... 238  
3.4.5.2   Industrial property rights ................................................................................... 238  
3.4.5.2.1   Patents ......................................................................................................... 2 38 
3.4.5.2.2   Industrial desi gns and utility  models ................................................................. 239  WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  3.4.5.2.3   Trademarks, collective and certification marks, and trade names ........................... 239  
4   TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR ................................................................................... 241  
4.1   Agriculture ............................................................................................................ 241 
4.1.1   Land  tenure ........................................................................................................ 24 2 
4.1.2   Agricultural policy ................................................................................................ 24 3 
4.1.3   Key su bsectors .................................................................................................... 245  
4.1.3.1   Li vestoc k ......................................................................................................... 2 45 
4.2   Crop Pr oduction  ..................................................................................................... 246  
4.3   Fishing an d Aquaculture .......................................................................................... 247  
4.4   Fo restry  ................................................................................................................  251 
4.5   Mining and Energy .................................................................................................. 252  
4.5.1   Mining ................................................................................................................ 252  
4.5.2   Energy ............................................................................................................... 254 
4.5.2.1   Petrol eum and gas ............................................................................................ 254  
4.5.2.2   Electricity ......................................................................................................... 256  
4.6   Manufac turing ........................................................................................................ 25 9 
4.7   Services ................................................................................................................  262 
4.7.1   Telecommunications an d communication services ..................................................... 262  
4.7.1.1   Overview ......................................................................................................... 26 2 
4.7.1.2   Developments in regulation ................................................................................ 264  
4.7.2   Banking, finance, and insurance ............................................................................. 265  
4.7.2.1   Banking services ............................................................................................... 265  
4.7.2.2   In suranc e ........................................................................................................ 26 7 
4.7.2.3   Other financial services ...................................................................................... 269  
4.7.3   Transport ........................................................................................................... 2 69 
4.7.3.1   Road ............................................................................................................... 269 
4.7.3.2   Rail ................................................................................................................ . 269 
4.7.3.3   Sea ................................................................................................................. 270  
4.7.3.4   Air ................................................................................................................. . 271 
4.7.4   Tourism .............................................................................................................. 271  
REFERENC ES ................................................................................................................ 274  
5   APPENDIX TABLES .................................................................................................. 276  
 
CHARTS 
 
Chart 1.1 Namibia's Human Develo pment Index tren ds, 1990-20 13 ...................................... 205  
Chart 1.2 Product composition of merchandise trade,  2008 and 2013 .................................... 210  
Chart 1.3 Direction of merchandise trade, 2008 and 2013 .................................................... 211  
 WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  TABLES 
 Table 1.1 Selected macroeco nomic indicato rs, 2008-14  ....................................................... 206
 
Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2008-14 ........................................................................... 212  
Table 1.3 Foreign direct  investment, 2008-14 .................................................................... 212  
Table 2.1 New trade-related laws  and regulation s since 2008 ............................................... 215  
Table 2.2 Business environment in Namibia, 2008 and 20 15 ................................................ 218  
Table 2.3 FDI, net inflows, 2010-13 .................................................................................. 219  
Table 3.1 Production and import volumes of controlled agronomic crops, 2008-13 ................... 223  
Table 3.2 Summary of EPZ enterprises, 2012 ..................................................................... 230  
Table 3.3 Production value of EP Z enterprises by sector, 2008-12 ......................................... 230  
Table 3.4 State-owned enterprises, 2015 .......................................................................... 233  
Table 3.5 IPR treaties to which Namibia is a party, 2015 ...................................................... 238  
Table 4.1 Namibia's agricult ural producti on, 2008-13  .......................................................... 241  
Table 4.2 Value of fish and fish products, 2008-13 .............................................................. 247  
Table 4.3 Fish landings (main commercial species, 2008-13) ................................................ 248  
Table 4.4 Total allowable catch, 2008-14 ........................................................................... 248  
Table 4.5 Aquaculture production, 2010-14 ....................................................................... 249  
Table 4.6 Revenue from the mari ne fishing indu stry, 2008- 14 .............................................. 250  
Table 4.7 Production of se lected minera ls, 2008-13  ............................................................ 252  
Table 4.8 Contribution to GDP by manufacturing , 2008-13  ................................................... 259  
Table 4.9 Namibia's main exported manufactured produc ts, 2008-13 .................................... 259  
Table 4.10 Summary of special incentives for manufacturers and exporters ............................ 261  
Table 4.11 Contribution of services to GDP, 2008-13 ........................................................... 262  
Table 4.12 Registered insurance entities and asset value as of end December 2013 ................. 268  
Table 4.13 Gross premium income for long - and short-term in surance, 2009-13 ..................... 268  
Table 4.14 Cargo and containers handled at  Namibian ports, FY  2008/09-201 3/14 .................. 271  
Table 4.15 Tourism in dicators, 2008-13 ............................................................................ 272  
 
APPENDIX TABLES 
 
Table A1.1 Merchandise imports by product grou p, 2008-1 3 ................................................ 276  
Table A1.2 Merchandise exports by produc t group, including re -exports, 2008-13 ................... 277  
Table A1. 3 Merchandise impo rts by origin , 2008-13  ........................................................... 278  
Table A1.4 Merchandise exports by destin ation, including re -exports, 2008-13 ....................... 279  WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  1  ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
1.1  Main Features of the Economy  1.1.  The Republic of Namibia, on the west coast of Southern Africa, has a land mass of 
824,418 km
2 and a population of 2.1 million, making it one of the world's least densely populated 
countries. Namibia is an upper-middle-income country with a GNI per capita of US$9,185, and is 
ranked 127th out of 187 countries, with a Human Development Index of 0.624 in 2013.1 Following 
a decline in 2000, Namibia has made impressive improvements in its HDI (Chart 1.1). Access to 
health has improved, as has income per capita. Estimated life expectancy at birth is 64.5 years. 
Access to education, however, has grown at a slower rate. Namibia's adult mean years of schooling of 6.2 is low compared to the neighbouring countries of Botswana and South Africa. 
1.2.  Since independence in 1990, Namibia's strong democratic institutions (section 2.1), 
abundance of natural resources and good govern ance have contributed to attracting foreign 
investment and generating strong economic growth  and stability. The urban population has grown 
from 27.7% of total population at independence to 39.5% in 2013. Nonetheless, Namibia 
continues to suffer from persistently high unemployment and income inequality. For instance, the 
youth unemployment rate (15-24 years) averaged 34.3% in 2008-12.
2 Namibia has one of the 
world's highest Gini coefficients, measured at 63.9 in 2013.3 
Chart 1.1 Namibia's Human Development Index trends, 1990-2013 
0.450.50.550.60.650.7
1990 2000 2008 2013Overall Education Health Income
 
Source: UNDP. Viewed at: http://hdr.undp.org/en/data . 
1.3.  The Namibian economy relies primarily on th e mining sector and is heavily dependent on the 
extraction and processing of minerals for export (section 4.5). Namibia is an important source of 
gem-quality diamonds and was the world's fifth largest uranium producer in 2013. Namibia also 
produces large quantities of zinc and is a small producer of gold and other minerals. Although the 
mining sector contributes on average about 10% of  GDP, it employs a relatively small proportion 
of the work force, given the sector's capital intensity. Namibia's economic performance is in large 
part determined by global demand for commodities , and therefore a global slowdown can have an 
adverse impact on the economy. 
1.4.  Agriculture also plays an important role in Namibia's economy, employing about 30% of the 
labour force, though its contribution to GDP is modest (Table 1.1). The livestock sector suffered 
due to a protracted drought in 2013 which led to a significant increase in livestock marketed. 
Similarly, agricultural output fell due to a decline in crop production fuelled by drought conditions. Given its arid climate, Namibia's agricultural output is highly vulnerable to climatic factors.  
                                               
1 UNDP, Human Development Index (2014). 
2 UNDP, Human Development Index (2014). 
3 UNDP, Human Development Index (2014). WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  1.5.  The services sector is the largest in terms of its contribution to real GDP (60.1% in 2014, up 
from 54.9% in 2008). Wholesale and retail trade, real estate and business services, public administration and defence, and education are the largest components of services. The contribution of manufacturing declined over the period surveyed, from 12.1% in 2008 to 10.5% in 
2014.  
Table 1.1 Selected macroeconomic indicators, 2008-14 
  2008 2009  2010  2011  2012 2013 2014a 
GDP at current prices 
(N$ million) 69,910 75,208 82,534 90,120 106,895 124,863 145,744 
GDP at current prices 
(US$ million) 8,462 8,876 11,273 12,411 13,020 12,932 13,429 
GDP at constant 2010 prices 
(N$ million) 77,448 77,890 82,534 86,805 91,292 95,954 100,249 
  % change (annual growth) 2.4 0.6 6.0 5.2 5.2 5.1 4.5 
Nominal GDP per capita 
(US$) 4,701 4,931 6,263 5,910 6,200 6,158 6,395 
Population (millions) 1.8 1.8 1.8 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 
Unemployment, total (% of 
total labour force)  37.6 .. 22.1 26.8 16.7 .. .. 
Inflation (period average) 9.1 9.5 4.9 5.0 6.7 5.6 5.4 
GDP by expenditure at 
constant 2010 prices (Annual % change) 
Final consumption 
expenditure 11.1 11.0 -3.0 8.4 7.5 10.8 11.1 
  Private 11.4 14.0 -4.6 9.0 9.2 13.5 12.8 
  General government 10.2 3.8 1.0 6.7 3.4 3.4 6.0 
Gross fixed capital formation 18.0 14.5 -1.2 -4.4 31.8 13.8 18.5 
Changes in inventoriesb 2.1 -4.0 0.5 0.0 1.5 -2.6 1.7 
Gross domestic expenditure 14.5 8.0 -2.3 5.6 13.9 9.3 14.4 
Exports of goods and services -4.4 1.8 2.8 -3.3 1.4 9.8 -6.2 
Imports of goods and services 18.7 15.4 -10.2 -0.8 19.9 16.2 15.7 
Discrepancy 0.0 0.2 0.1 -0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 
GDP distribution by type of 
economic activity (at constant 2010 prices) (% of GDP) 
Agriculture and forestry 4.6 4.9 5.1 4.9 5.0 3.5 3.6 
Fishing and fish processing on 
board 2.8 3.8 3.5 3.1 2.8 2.7 2.5 
Mining and quarrying 13.3         9.0 10.4 9.4 11.1 10.7 9.8 
 Diamond mining 8.9 4.2 5.7 5.3 5.7 5.8 6.2 
 Uranium 2.0 2.2 2.2 1.5 1.9 1.6 1.4 
 Metal Ores 1.5 1.5 1.4 1.2 1.5 1.0 1.0 
 Other mining and 
quarrying 0.9 1.1 1.1 1.4 2.1 2.2 1.2 
Manufacturing 12.1 12.3 12.5 12.5 11.1 10.9 10.5 
Electricity and water 2.3 1.9 1.9 1.8 2.0 2.0 2.0 
Construction 3.8 3.1 3.2 3.5 3.6 4.5 4.9 
Wholesale and retail trade, 
repairs 10.1 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.2 12.2 12.7 
Hotels and restaurants 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.9 2.0 
Transport, and 
communication 4.4 5.1 5.1 5.1 5.3 5.3 5.4 
Financial intermediation 5.6 5.4 5.6 5.6 5.7 6.3 6.5 
Real estate and business 
services 8.1 9.0 8.6 8.7 8.6 8.6 8.5 
Community, social and 
personal service activities 2.9 2.8 2.7 2.9 2.2 2.2 2.2 
Public administration and 
defence 10.9 11.4 11.0 11.0 10.8 10.6 10.7 
Education 7.4 7.6 7.1 7.9 7.9 7.8 7.9 
Health 2.8 3.0 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.2 WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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    2008 2009  2010  2011  2012 2013 2014a 
Private household with 
employed persons 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.0 
Less: Financial intermediation 
services indirectly measured 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.5 
Taxes less subsidies on 
products 7.4 8.0 7.5 7.5 7.8 8.3 8.4 
GDP at market prices 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 
 (% of GDP, unless otherwise indicated) 
External sector        
N$/US$ (annual average)  8.3 8.5 7.3 7.3 8.2 9.7 10.9 
Nominal effective exchange 
rate indices (period average, 
Jan 2004 = 100)c 83.3 86.8 98.7 97.6 89.8 77.9 69.2 
Real effective exchange rate 
Indices (period average, Jan 2004 = 100)
c 96.9 108.5 125.5 126.5 121.4 115.2 105.8 
Current account balance as a 
share of GDP (%) 3.2 -1.4 -3.4 -2.8 -5.8 -4.0 -6.6 
Gross official reserves 
(US$ million, end of period) 1,351  1,846  1,495  1,762  1,705  1,515  1,180  
Months of imports of 
goods and services  5.7  4.0  2.9  3.8  2.8  2.4  1.9  
External debtd 23.4 20.8 24.6 41.7 32.7 37.0 40.7 
Public financee        
  Overall balance 2.1 -1.1 -7.4 -5 -0.7 -3.5 -5.1 
   Revenue and grants 33.0 31.7 31.1 27.7 33.4 32.0 35.0 
   Expenditure and net lending 30.9 32.8 38.5 32.7 34.1 35.5 40.1 
  Public debt standing 17.9 17.9 15.7 26.6 24.6 23.6 22.9 
a Estimate. 
b Changes in inventories include only livestock, ores and minerals.  c An increase in the index indicates an appreciation of the national currency. d Includes government, parastat als and private sector debt. 
e Fiscal year. 
Source: Bank of Namibia, Annual Reports 2012, 2013, and 2014; Bank of Namibia, Quarterly Bulletins 
(December 2014) . Viewed at: 
https://www.bon.com.na/CMSTemplates/Bon/Files/bon.com.na/0e/0e84cc54-0307-46de-90ef-
d2c766d9fb71.pdf ; Bank of Namibia, Economic Outlook Update (December 2014) . Viewed at: 
https://www.bon.com.na/CMSTemp lates/Bon/Fi les/bon.com.na/b5/b5 fa42ca-25a5- 40f5-be05-
b2e4e25c7b92.pdf ; Online information from Namibia Statistics Agency. Viewed at: 
http://www.nsa.org.na/publications/; Bank of Nami bia, Exchange Rates and Indices. Viewed at: 
https://www.bon.com.na/Economic- information/Statistical-info rmation/Exchange-Rates-and-
Indices.aspx ; IMF online information, "International Financial Statistics". Viewed at: http://elibrary-
data.imf.org/DataExplorer.aspx ; and World Bank's World Developm ent Indicator database. Viewed 
at: http://databank.worldbank.org/data/views/variab leselection/selectvariables.aspx?source=world-
development-indicators . 
1.2  Recent Economic Developments 
1.6.  Namibia's economy recovered quickly from the global economic crisis: after growing by only 
0.6% in 2009, it expanded by 5% or more a nnually during 2010-13. In 2013 growth was 5.1%, 
reflecting the effects of the drought on crop and livestock production and a slowdown in electricity 
generation and the mining sector, particularly di amond production. The Bank of Namibia projected 
the economy to expand by 4.5% in 2014, and 5.6%  in 2015. Growth is expected to be driven 
mostly by increased construction in the mining sector. Agriculture is expected to rebound from a 
contraction in 2013, and further growth is expected  due to positive developments in the mining 
and construction sectors. A recent study conduc ted by the National Planning Commission (NPC) 
concluded that increased capital expenditure and government investment in the construction 
sector had resulted in growth of 19% on av erage in 2011-13, and had created employment, 
though below that envisaged.4 
                                               
4 National Planning Commission, Annual Report 2013/2014 .  WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  1.7.  In 2004, Namibia adopted Vision 2030 which spells out the country's medium-term 
development programmes and strategies to achieve it s national objectives. Its goal is to improve 
the quality of life of the people of Namibia to th e level of their counterparts in the developed world 
by 2030, with an unemployment rate of less than 5%, and the manufacturing and services sectors 
constituting 80% of GDP. The NPC is responsible for managing Vision 2030. 
1.8.  National Development Plans (NDPs) are the main vehicles for translating the Vision into 
action. NDP4, which was launched in 2012 and covers the period up to 2017, differs from its 
predecessor NDP3 in that it focuses only on th ree overarching goals, namely economic growth, 
employment creation and reduction in inequality. The NDP4 target for economic growth in 2013/14 
was 6.1% (against 4.4% realized); the unemployment rate for 2013 was 29.6% (against 27.4% the previous year); and the Gini coefficient remained constant at 0.58 (the NDP4 target is 0.5).
5  
1.9.  The Targeted Intervention Programme fo r Employment and Economic Growth (TIPEEG) was 
introduced during the 2011/12-2013/14 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period with the objective of creating 104,000 direct and in direct jobs between 2011 and 2014. The primary 
objective of the programme is to create employment opportunities, both permanent and 
temporary, by focusing on selected economic  sectors and public works, ensure speedy 
implementation, by introducing suitable conditions and modalities under which capital projects are 
implemented, and put in place the required in frastructure necessary for economic growth.  
1.10.  In 2011, the New Equitable Economic Em powerment Framework (NEEEF) was introduced in 
Parliament. The objective of NEEEF is to enco urage firms to bring previously disadvantaged 
Namibian shareholders on board, to train and promote them into senior management positions, to 
use procurement to stimulate more local busi nesses, and to promote the well-being of the 
communities in which they operate. Companies wanting to do business with Government or requiring licences from Government would have to be scored on each of NEEEF's five pillars, three 
of which are mandatory (ownership, management control and employment equity, and human 
resources and skills development). Under-performance in any pillar can be compensated by over-performance in others. The NEEEF will be in force for 25 years.
6  
1.11.  The Bank of Namibia formulates monetary po licy with the primary objective of price stability 
in order to support sustainable economic growth and financial stability. Inflation generally tracks that of South Africa due to the currency peg to the South African rand through Namibia's membership in the Common Monetary Area (CMA), and strong trade links between the 
two countries. Thus, in practice, monetary policy is largely set by the South African Reserve Bank 
and Namibia has limited scope for tackling inflation. The South African rand is legal tender in Namibia (though not vice-versa). The annual inflation rate as measured by the consumer price 
index (CPI) averaged 6.8% during 2008-13 (down from 6.9% over 2000-07). Inflation fell from 
9.1% in 2008 to 5.4% in 2014 (Table 1.1), largely on account of a slowdown in pressures from food and transport prices.  
1.12.  Given its CMA membership, Namibia has used fiscal policy as a major countercyclical tool to 
promote economic growth. It has generally pursued prudent fiscal policies since independence. Over the period surveyed, Namibia's public sector balance deteriorated from a surplus of 2.1% of 
GDP in 2008 to deficit of  3.5% in 2013 and was expected to  reach a deficit of 5.1% in 2014 
(Table 1.1). This was in large part due to expansionary fiscal policies pursued in the aftermath of 
the global downturn in 2009 and aimed at stim ulating growth and creating employment. Other 
factors that contributed to a widening of the fiscal deficit include a large public sector wage bill 
which accounts for 14% of GDP. Total revenue and grants, as a percentage of GDP, averaged 32% 
over the period surveyed, while expenditure and net lending grew from 30.9% of GDP in 2008 to 
40.1% in 2014. Public debt remains sustainable (22.9% of GDP in 2014), down from a peak of 
26.6% in 2011, and significantly below Namibia's fiscal benchmark of 35% of GDP. SACU revenues 
accounted on average for 35% of total revenue in the period 2010-14. Namibia has one of the highest tax rates in Southern Africa, with a top individual tax rate of 37%. In order to encourage investment, the corporate tax rate was reduced from 34% to 33% effective 1 April 2013, and 32% 
effective 1 April 2014. 
                                               
5 National Planning Commission, Annual Report 2013/2014 . This figure for the Gini coefficient differs 
from that of the World Bank. 
6 British High Commission Windhoek, Doing Business in Namibia: A Guide for UK Companies 2014 .  WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  1.3  Trade Performance and Investment 
1.13.  Namibia's economy is highly dependent on  international trade with an average trade to 
GDP ratio of 95.6% in the period 2011-13. In 2013, Namibia ranked 88th among world 
merchandise exporters (excluding intra-EU trade), and 85th among importers. In services trade, 
Namibia ranked 109th among exporters and 120th among importers.7 
1.14.  Namibia's external current account recorded  uninterrupted surpluses from independence till 
2009, when the previous year's surplus of 3. 2% of GDP turned negative. During 2009-13, 
Namibia's current account deficit averaged 3. 5% and was expected to reach 6.6% in 2014 
(Table 1.1). Namibia has been running a growing merchandise trade deficit, from US$658 million in 2008 to US$2,394 million in 2014 (Table 1.2). 
1.15.  Mining, especially diamonds, dominates exports. Exports of diamonds alone accounted for 
21.1% of total exports in 2013, up from 16.5% in 2008 (Chart 1.2). Other exports include metal 
ores and metals, and fish, beverages and animal products. Namibia's exports were traditionally highly concentrated towards South Africa and Europe, but this changed in 2013 following the 
relocation of De Beers' London-based rough diamond sales to Gaborone. Exports to Botswana are 
up from 0.5% of total exports in 2008 to 13.7%  in 2013 (Chart 1.3), while those to the United 
Kingdom fell from 15% to 2.1% over the same period (Table A1.4). Exports to EFTA countries, 
particularly Switzerland, have more than double d from 4.2% of total exports in 2008 to 9.8% in 
2013.
8 With the exception of South Africa and Angola, exports to other African countries in the 
region have increased, albe it from a modest base.  
1.16.  The bulk of Namibia's non-mineral exports be nefit from preferential access for beef, fish and 
grapes to the EU (about 10% of total export earnings).  
1.17.  Namibia's main imports are food, fuel, automotive products and transport equipment. 
Chemicals, mining ores and non-electrical machin ery are also important (Chart 1.2). Imports are 
mainly from South Africa: 61.8% of total import s in 2013, down from 67.8% in 2008 (Chart 1.3). 
Imports from EU (28) almost halved from 2008 to 2013, while those from EFTA countries grew more than six-fold, from 0.9% to 6.2%. Imports from Botswana, Zambia and Tanzania increased 
over the period, though from a low base. 
                                               
7 WTO statistics database. Viewed at: 
http://stat.wto.org/CountryProfile/WSDBC ountryPFView.aspx?Language=E&Country=NA . 
8 The EFTA-SACU FTA entered into force in 2008. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  Chart 1.2 Product composition of merchandise trade, 2008 and 2013 
2008 2013
(a)    Exports (f.o.b.), including re-exports
Other 
manufactures
21.6%
Manufactures
44.2%Other 
manufactures
5.1%
Uranium ores 
and
concentrates 
(SITC 2861)
10.1%
Zinc and zinc 
alloy
(SITC 6861)
4.3%Other 
mining
11.1%Diamonds 
(SITC 6672)
21.1%Transport 
equip.
19.8%
Non-
electrical 
machinery
3.1%Electrical 
machines
1.1%
Total:   US$4.7 billion Total:  US$6.3 billion
(b)    Imports (c.i.f.)
Chemicals
10.9%Other 
manufactures
14.0%
Transport  
equipment
14.6%
Manufactures
70.4% Electrical
machines  
7.2%
Non-electrical 
machinery
9.3%Ores and other 
minerals
0.6%
Non-ferrous 
metals 0.4%
Non-electrical 
machinery
8.1%Chemicals
8.3%Other 
manufactures
12.0%
Non-
ferrous 
metals
2.2%Ores and other 
minerals
6.8%Other
0.2%
Electrical 
machines
6.4%
Other semi-manuf.  
14.1%Transport 
equipment
18.5%
Fuels
9.9%Manufactures
67.4%
Total:   US$4.7 billion Total:   US$7.6 billionManufactures
50.3%
Non-
electrical 
machinery
1.8%
Other
0.4%Other 
mining
9.8%Other
2.0%
Agriculture
22.2%
Diamonds 
(SITC 6672)
16.5%
Other semi-manuf.
14.4%Agriculture
22.8%
Agriculture
13.6%Agriculture
14.7%Other 
1.7%
Fuels
13.6%Uranium ores 
(SITC 2861)
15.7%Transport 
equip.
3.3%
Zinc and zinc alloy 
(SITC 6861)
5.8%Electrical 
machines
0.9%
 
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database (SITC Rev.3). WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  Chart 1.3 Direction of merchandise trade, 2008 and 2013 
2008 2013
(a)    Exports (f.o.b.), including re-exports
Americas
6.8%
EFTA
9.8%EU (28)
18.1%Botswana
13.7%
Africa
55.0%South Africa
26.7%Angola
7.4%
Other Africa
7.2%
Asia
5.4%
Other
4.8%
Total:   US$4.7 billion Total:  US$6.3 billion
(b)    Imports (c.i.f.)
Other 
1.6%
EU (28)
15.8%Americas
3.0%
EFTA
0.9%Africa
68.5%Asia
9.7%
EU (28)
8.7%
EFTA
6.2%South Africa
61.8%Other Africa
6.7%
Other 
3.9%
Americas
3.1%
Total:   US$4.7 billion Total:   US$7.6 billionEFTA
4.2%Asia
8.6%
Asia
8.8%EU (28)
28.9%Other
2.0%
Americas
12.6%
Africa
70.0%South Africa
31.8%
Africa
43.7%
South Africa
67.8%Other Africa
2.1%Botswana
0.5%
Other Africa
2.8%Angola
8.6%
 
Source: UNSD, Comtrade database. 
1.18.  Balance-of-payments data indicate that, from 2008-13, Namibia was both a net importer 
and exporter of services (in contrast to the last review period when Namibia was usually a net exporter). In 2013, Namibia recorded a small deficit of US$54 million, down from a surplus of US$352 in 2012, reflecting an increasing deficit in transportation services and a declining surplus 
in other private services (Table 1.2).  WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  Table 1.2 Balance of payments, 2008-14 
(US$ million) 
  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012 2013 2014  
Current account balance 272 -123 -385 -354 -752 -521 -888 
  Merchandise trade  -658 -1,220 -1,118 -1,129 -2,162 -1,997 -2,394 
   Exports f.o.b. 3,190 3,101 4,011 4,399 4,365 4,632 4,418 
    Diamonds 792 538 827 881 1,005 1,212 1,290 
    Other mineral products 938 725 939 926 850 769 671 
    Food and live animals 364 371 494 560 447 454 348 
    Manufactured products 865 736 891 979 800 764 890 
    Other commodities and re-exports 229 731 860 1,053 1,264 1,434 1,217 
   Imports f.o.b. -3,848 -4,321 -5,129 -5,528 -6,527 -6,629 -6,812 
  Services (net) -43 70 -48 -38 352 -13 -54 
   Transportation (net) -118 -79 -93 -108 -135 -281 -300 
   Travel (net) 264 279 293 310 332 285 259 
   Insurance (net) -10 -14 -27 -28 -77 -71 -72 
   Other private services (net) -188 -126 -231 -223 223 47 52 
   Other government services (net) 9 9 10 11 9 8 7 
  Compensation of employees (net) -29 -4 -15 -14 -7 -6 -3 
  Investment income (net) -122 -153 -418 -320 -514 -80 -110 
  Current transfers in cash and kind 
 (net) 1,123 1,185 1,214 1,148 1,580 1,576 1,674 
   Government - current transfers 1,107 1,169 1,198 1,131 1,564 1,559 1,661 
     development assistance 164 192 304 241 146 126 113 
     from SACU 959 1,011 937 914 1,478 1,501 1,591 
     withholding taxes 23 20 19 29 21 15 31 
     other transfers received 16 17 20 21 20 17 15 
     transfer debits (mainly SACU) -55 -71 -83 -75 -102 -101 -90 
   Private - current transfers 17 16 16 17 17 17 13 
Capital and financial account  -145 47 172 1,104 1,267 707 971 
  Net capital transfers 76 66 110 186 148 129 138 
  Direct investment abroad -5 3 -4 -5 11 13 34 
  Direct investment in Namibia 720 506 793 816 1,133 801 414 
  Portfolio investment -1,020 -897 -633 28 -594 -492 -350 
  Other investment – long-term 261 532 -20 201 105 500 854 
  Other investme nt – short-term -178 -163 -74 -123 464 -243 -118 
Net errors and omissions -126 196 -305 -184 -487 -124 -246 
Overall balance 752 121 -518 567 28 62 -163 
Source: Bank of Namibia. Balance of payments information. Viewed at: https://www.bon.com.na/Economic-
information/Statistical-information/Balance-of-payments.aspx . 
1.19.  Investment, as measured by gross fixed capital formation, grew on average by 12% per 
year during 2008-13 (Table 1.1). Mining absorbs the bulk of private investment. Total investment flows into Namibia as a proportion of GDP averaged 6-7% per year over 2008-13 (Table 1.3), 
which places Namibia ahead of its SACU partners in terms of attracting FDI. According to the 
authorities, about 80% of the stock of FDI in Namibia comes from South Africa.
9 
Table 1.3 Foreign direct investment, 2008-14 
 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 
 (US$ million)  
Flow   
Direct investment in Namibia 721 508 792 817 1 133 801 399 
Direct investment abroad -5 3 -4 -5 11 13 34 
Stock   
Direct investment in Namibia 3,518 4,286 5,347 5,149 3,612 4,039 3,738 
                                               
9 Namibia does not currently capture FDI data by indu stry, but the authorities indicate that a project to 
capture more segregated data is expected to be launched in 2016. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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   2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 
Direct investment abroad 11 68 51 43 60 32 102 
 (as a percentage of GDP)  
Flow   
Direct investment in Namibia 8.2 5.7 7.3 6.5 8.7 6.1 3.0 
Direct investment abroad -0.1 0.0 -0.0 -0.0 0.1 0.1 0.3 
Stock   
Direct investment in Namibia 39.8 48.1 49.0 40.7 27.6 30.8 28.4 
Direct investment abroad 0.1 0.8 0.5 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.8 
Source: Data provided by the Bank of Namibia. 
1.4  Outlook 
1.20.  During the period of NDP4 (2013-17) Namibia is focusing its energy and resources on areas 
with the greatest potential to address its develo pment challenges. NDP4 has three goals: faster 
and sustainable economic growth; the creation of employment opportunities; and enhanced 
income equality. The expansion of the country's transport infrastructure to promote Namibia as a regional hub in Southern Africa, the development of new mines, and the exploitation of offshore gas resources, which will enable Namibia to become a net energy exporter, should lay the 
foundation for continued economic growth in the coming years. The construction sector will remain 
one of the key growth drivers, buoyed by cons truction requirements associated with several 
large-scale infrastructural initiatives such as the Walvis Bay expansion project. The mining sector 
is also expected to continue to expand.  
1.21.  Namibia's record of sound macroeconomic management, low inflation, and the stability 
conferred by its currency peg to the South African rand have fostered integration with its regional 
partners, particularly South Africa. However, the currency peg provides limited discretion in 
monetary and exchange rate policies and Namibia's inflation rate largely tracks that of South Africa. As a small open economy highly dependent on the export of commodities and agricultural goods, Namibia remains vulnerable to external shocks which can give rise to macroeconomic 
instability. Further diversification of the economy and continued growth in services sectors would 
help mitigate these risks. 
1.22.  Socio-economic challenges, such as unemployment and income inequality, may prove more 
intractable. Namibia urgently needs to address its high unemployment rate, particularly among 
urban youth, and to accelerate programmes to reduce widespread poverty and mitigate urban-rural disparities. Encouraging domestic and foreign investment, and continuing efforts to 
implement policies to create a regulatory enviro nment that fosters private sector development will 
enhance the business environment and promote competitiveness and investment, thereby facilitating development spill overs.  
 WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  2  TRADE AND INVESTMENT REGIMES 
2.1  General Framework 2.1.  Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990, thus becoming one of Africa's 
youngest republics. The President, who is the he ad of state and the commander-in-chief of the 
army, is elected every five years. Under the Constitution the President is limited to serving 
two five-year terms. In November 2014, a new President was elected in Africa's first electronic ballot, in which voters made their choice using e-voting machines at the 4,000 polling stations 
across Namibia. The President assumed office in March 2015.
1 Following a constitutional 
amendment in 2014, Namibia also has a Vice-President for the first time. The President chooses a member of the National Assemb ly to become Vice-President. 
2.2.  Following the 2014 constitutional amendments, the National Assembly has increased in size 
and now consists of 96 elected members and 8 non-voting members appointed by the President 
(up from 72 members and 6 non-voting members). National Assembly MPs are elected every five years through a system based on proportional representation. Non-voting members are 
appointed by the President for their special expe rtise, status, skill or experience. The second 
chamber of Parliament, the National Council, is ma de up of representatives from the 13 regions, 
elected in separate elections on the basis of "first past the post" in each regional constituency. 
2.3.  The Government is divided into three branches: the executive, responsible for the 
implementation of laws; the legislature, with responsibility for law making; and the judiciary which handles law enforcement and interpretation. Executive powers in Namibia are vested in the President and the Cabinet, who initiate laws and ensure that they are implemented. Legislative 
power resides with Parliament, i.e. the National Assembly and the National Council with the 
National Assembly playing the dominant role. The powers of the judiciary lie with the courts of Namibia – the Supreme Court, the High Court and the Lower Courts.
2 Namibia does not have a 
specialized commercial court. 
2.4.  Legislation must pass through both houses of Parliament. The National Council can only 
advise on bills and does not enjoy veto power. Although bills can in theory be suggested by 
anyone, including MPs, the Law Reform Development Commission, NGOs and individuals outside 
Parliament, in practice the Government has initiated nearly all legislation since independence. The idea for a law is first presented to the Attorney Ge neral who checks that it is in keeping with the 
Constitution. A draft bill is then submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation (CCL), which 
will decide if the bill is ready to go to the whole Cabinet for approval. If Cabinet approves the 
principle of the bill, the Ministry of Justice's lega l drafters finalize the language, before sending it 
back to the sponsoring Ministry, the CCL and the Attorney General for final approval. The time lag 
between a Ministry initiating a law and a bill coming before the National Assembly can sometimes 
b e  s e v e r a l  y e a r s .  D e l a y s  h a v e  b e e n  b l a m e d  o n  a  s h o r t a g e  o f  l e g a l  d r a f t e r s  i n  t h e  M i n i s t r y  o f  Justice. Sometimes, prior to Cabinet approval, dr aft laws are made available to the public or 
distributed to certain stakeholders for comment. The public can also ask for a copy of a draft law 
from the relevant ministry.
3 All Acts are published in the Government Gazette. Electronic copies of 
the laws can be found on Namibia' s Legal Assistance Centre website.4  
2.5.  Namibia's customs-related issues are mostly set at the regional level within the context of 
SACU (Main Report, Section 2). On the domestic front, in areas not covered by the 
SACU Agreement, the Ministry of Industrializat ion, Trade and SME Development is the main 
custodian for the formulation and implementation of trade policy, which are applied in line with its 
obligations to the regional and multilateral trading system.  
2.6.  Other institutions that have important input into Namibia's trade-related policies include the 
Ministries of Finance; Mines and Energy; Fisheries and Marine Resources; Agriculture, Water and 
Forestry; Environment and Tourism; Works and Transport; Foreign Affairs; and Information and 
Communication Technology; as well as the National Planning Commission in the Office of the 
                                               
1 In March 2015, the outgoing President was awarded the US$5 million Mo Ibrahim prize for African 
leadership. The award is given to an elected leader who go verns well, raises living st andards and leaves office.  
2 Institute for Public Policy Research (2015). 
3 Institute for Public Policy Research (2015).  
4 Online information. Viewed at: http://www.lac.org.na/laws/lawsindex.php#1990 .  WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  President; the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA); and the Bank of 
Namibia. Other important sector-specific statutory authorities and agencies that fulfil trade-related functions include the Namibia Statistics Agency, the Namibian Investment Centre, the Namibian Standards Institution, Namport, the Offshore Development Company and the Namibia Tourism 
Board. Private sector participation in trade-related policies is represented by the Namibia Trade 
Forum, the Agricultural Trade Forum, the Namibia Manufacturing Association and the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 
2.7.  Namibia's Board of Trade, which is in the process of being established, will be responsible for 
tariffs, safeguards, anti-dumping and countervailing duties, and import and export procedures. An interim head of the Board of Trade was expected to be appointed at the beginning of 2015. The International Trade Management Bill that will create  the Board of Trade is expected to be finalized 
in December 2015.  
2.8.  There is a realization in Namibia that trade policy should be business-driven. The 
Government seeks to maintain a dialogue with the private sector on an ad hoc basis. 
Private-sector interests are represented by a number of bodies including the Namibia Trade Forum, 
the Namibia National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Namibian Manufacturing Association. Trade policies are normally applied to benefit the business sector and domestic 
industries in particular. The process is in most cases initiated by industry, which approaches the 
Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development with proposals for a certain measure to be taken. The Ministry then calls for consultation of all stakeholders including NGOs in order to assess whether or not there is a need for a proposed measure.  
2.9.  The Namibian-based independent Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) provides 
analytical research on social, political and economic issues, including trade. Other independent research bodies are the University of Na mibia and the Polytechnic of Namibia.  
2.10.  Various pieces of trade-related legislation have been enacted, revised or amended since 
2008 (Table 2.1).  
Table 2.1 New trade-related la ws and regulations since 2008 
Subject Legislation  
General Namibia Institute of Public Ad ministration and Management Act, 2010 
Statistics Act, 2011 National Planning Commission Act, 2013 
Agriculture Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Amendment Act, 2013 and 2014 
Tobacco Products Control Act, 2010 
SPS Plant Quarantine Act, 2008 (commenced 2012) 
Animal Health Act, 2011 Animal Identification Regulations, 2009 Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Act, 2008 
Environment Flexible Land Tenure Act, 2012 
Water Resources Management Act, 2013 
Communal Land Reform Amendment Act, 2013 
Competition Companies Act, 2004 (entered into force 2010) 
Companies Administrative Regulations, 2010 Competition Act, 2003 (in force since 2008) Amendment of Tender Board Regulations, 2013 
Government 
procurement State-owned Enterprises Governance Amendment Act, 2008 
Intellectual property rights Industrial Property Act, 2012  
Communication Communications Act, 2009  
Mining Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Amendment Act, 2008 
Financial  Banking Institutions Amendment Act, 2010 
Financial Intelligence Act, 2012 
Financial Intelligence Regulations, 2012 
Unit Trusts Control Amendment Act, 2011 
Pension Funds Amendment Act, 2011 and 2014 
Credit bureau Regulations, 2014 
Long Term Insurance Amendment Act, 2011 
Amendment of Long-Term Insurance Regulations, 2013 
Amendment of Pension Funds Regulations, 2013 
Inspection of Financial Institutions Amendment Act, 2011 WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  Subject Legislation  
Transport Road Traffic and Transport Amendment Act, 2008 
Source: WTO Secretariat, based on online information. Viewed at: 
http://www.lac.org.na/laws/lawsindex.php . 
2.11.  Trade and investment form an integral part of Namibia's overall economic policy as outlined 
in NDP4. In NDP4, four economic sectors – logistics, tourism, manufacturing and agriculture enjoy 
priority status. The Government seeks to attract foreign investment and promote exports with the goal of having not less than 70% of total expo rts made up of processed goods. Trade plays a 
leading role in achieving NDP4's goals of econ omic growth, employment creation and reducing 
inequality. The Government aims to use procurement to stimulate more local business. 
2.12.  Namibia aims to become a regional logistics hub, and plans during the NDP4 period to 
upgrade and expand infrastructure needed to acco mmodate increased regional trade flow volumes. 
One of the key infrastructural projects is the expa nsion of the port of Walvis Bay to accommodate 
the ocean-liner class of container ships and reduce their turnaround time to 24 hours. Rail connections to Angola, Botswana and Zambia are in the process of being upgraded. The 
Government intends to pursue international and bilateral agreements on the setting up of one-stop 
border posts to ensure that the flow of cross-bo rder trade is as efficient as possible, and to 
address cabotage concerns. 
2.2  Trade Agreements and Arrangements 
2.13.  Namibia is a member of the WTO, the African Union, SACU and SADC. 2.2.1  WTO 2.14.  Namibia has been a Member of the WTO since 1995. It extends at least MFN treatment to 
all its trading partners. The WTO Agreements have been incorporated into Namibia's domestic 
legislation and thus can be invoked before national courts. Namibia is not a party to the Information Technology Agreement or to any of the plurilateral agreements concluded under the 
WTO. 
2.15.  Between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2014, Namibia made a total of 18 notifications 
to the WTO, under respectively the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures 
(six notifications), the Agreement on Agriculture (four), the Agreement on Import Licensing (two), 
GATT Article XVII (state trading - two), the Ag reement on TBT (three) and GATT Article XXIV 
(RTAs - one). Namibia has not been involved in any disputes under the WTO. Namibia participates in the Doha negotiations and shares the views of, inter alia , the ACP Group, the African Group, the 
G-90, NAMA 11 and "W52" sponsors. During the period 2008-2014, Namibia continued to be an 
important beneficiary of the technical assistance and training furnished by the WTO, participating 
in 230 activities over six years. 
2.2.2  Regional and preferential agreements 
2.16.  In addition to its membership in SACU and SADC and their RTAs with third parties (see 
Main Report), Namibia maintains a bilateral FTA with Zimbabwe that entered into force in 1992. 
The agreement provides for duty-free treatment for goods grown, produced or manufactured in 
one of the parties when exported to the other party. Manufactured goods qualify for duty-free 
treatment if they have at least 25% local content and the last process of manufacture (which must 
take place in one of the parties) is substantial and sufficient to change the nature of the product 
and give it a new, essential and distinct characteristic
 and the final product presents a completely 
new product or at least an important stage in the manufacturing process. 
2.2.3  Other agreements and arrangements 
2.17.  Namibia was among the 34 countries initially declared eligible for the programme 
established by the United States under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) in WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  October 2000 (Main Report, section 2.3.5).5 U.S. imports from Namibia are modest, at 
US$256 million in 2014. None of these impo rts entered under AGOA preferences.6 Most Namibian 
exports to the U.S. are made up of minerals su ch as industrial diamonds and uranium which are 
exported in raw form and subject to zero duties. 
2.3  Investment Regime  
2.18.  Namibia's investment framework remains largely the same since the last TPR in 2008. The 
1990 Foreign Investment Act and its 1993 am endments provide the broad framework for 
investment in Namibia. The authorities indicate that the Act is currently under review in order to 
make it relevant to the current environment.  Prop osed changes include:  to provide a definition of 
domestic and foreign investors as well as investment; to reserve some economic subsectors for local investors; to ensure that admission procedures for foreign investors are transparent and 
smooth; to make investor registration compulsory and hence introduce a crucial aspect of investor 
tracking and post investment management; and to establish clear guidelines for investor dispute procedures.  
2.19.  Namibia provides a series of tax incentives for manufacturers and exports (see Table 4.10).  
2.20.  Almost all economic activities are open to foreign investors. Local-participation requirements 
apply to fishing under "Namibianization" policies and mining. The Tender Board Act 1996 is being 
amended to accommodate clauses that require local participation in order to improve local 
empowerment and ensure skills transfer. In 2010, regulations were published prohibiting 
foreigners from becoming engaged in a range of small businesses including retail businesses, taxi and shuttle services, and hairdressing and beauty treatment.
7 As of May 2015, no additional 
investment restrictions are in place and no local participation is required to make an investment. 
2.21.  In principle, the Foreign Investment Act grants foreign investors the same treatment as 
domestic investors, though the Act grants government the right to impose restrictions. The recent 
decision to vest all rights in respect of strategic minerals in Epangelo (section 4.5) may lead to a 
dampening effect on investment in the mining sector. No foreign national is allowed to acquire agricultural land without the prior consent of the Minister of Lands. 
2.22.  The Namibia Investment Centre (NIC), which operates as a Department within MITSD, 
serves as Namibia's official investment promotion and facilitation office.
8 The Namibia Chamber of 
Commerce and Industry and some smaller agencies are also involved in the promotion and attraction of investment. The NIC offers comprehensive services that range from the initial enquiry 
stage, through promoting and facilitating joint venture arrangements, to issuing a Certificate of 
Status of Investment (CSI). There is no prescribed fee for the CSI. Foreign investment approval is only required where the investor is applying for a CSI. The Certificate grants favourable and 
unrestricted access to foreign currency for the paym ent of loans, royalties, profits and dividends. 
Investments by foreign nationals are eligible for such a Certificate if the investment is not less than N$2 million (or acquisition of not less than 10% of the share capital of a Namibian company), 
and the investment project contributes to Namibia's development objectives and utilizes Namibian 
resources, including labour and natural resources. Since the entry into force of the Investment Act, a total of 130 Certificates of Status of Investment have been issued.  
2.23.  The Investment Act reiterates the commitment contained in Article 16 of Namibia's 
Constitution to market compensation in the case of  expropriation. Holders of Certificates of Status 
of Investment must be compensated in foreign currency and can opt for international arbitration in case of disputes. Investors without a CSI have to refer any disputes to the Namibian courts, or to 
the court system that has jurisdiction according to the investor's contract. Namibia has signed, but 
not ratified, the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States. 
                                               
5 Online information. Viewed at: http://trade.gov/agoa/ . The AGOA is covered by a waiver of the United 
States' GATT obligations (WTO document WT/L/754, 29 May 2009). The waiver for AGOA is due to expire in 
September 2015. 
6 U.S. International Trad e Commission. Viewed at: http://dataweb.usitc.gov/ .  
7 Government Gazette, No. 75, 15 April 2010. 
8 The NIC produces an annual publication on the Cost  of Doing Business in Namibia. The last issue of 
this publication available on NIC's website is for 2010. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  2.24.  Namibia is an attractive destination for foreign investors given its growing market economy, 
macroeconomic stability and sustainable levels of government debt, stable and pragmatic business-friendly government, independent courts and free press, stable currency and trade links to South Africa, and good infrastructure. Investment is protected under Articles 16 and 98 of the 
Namibian Constitution and Namibia provides both pre-investment (entry and work permits) and 
post-investment facilitation. According to a recent UK government study, challenges to investing in Namibia include a shortage of skilled labour, low labour productivity, an underperforming 
education and training system, high levels of HIV/AIDS prevalence, government bureaucracy, a 
lack of policy certainty in certain areas including empowerment and taxation, a slow judicial system, the sensitivity of the land rights issue, uneven consultation with the private sector, and a 
difficulty in obtaining work permits for foreign nationals.
9  
2.25.  In the World Bank's Doing Business Index 2015, Namibia is ranked 88th, slipping 
eight places from the previous year. Table 2.2 shows Namibia's ranking in accordance with the 
Doing Business Reports in 2008 and 2015. While Namibia's overall ranking slid considerably from 
2008 to 2015 (from 43 to 88), its score for trading across borders has improved slightly and the 
cost to import and export a container in Namibia remains competitive compared to South Africa. In other key indicators which have a key impact on production and trade – starting a business, 
access to credit, and registering property – Namibia is lagging behind its regional partners. The 
Companies Act, 2004 which came into force in 2010 (section 3.1), reduced the administrative burden to start a business, but Namibia's ranking remains well below the SACU average, indicating 
that other countries have been more efficient in implementing reforms. The authorities indicate 
that a number of reform measures have been designed, proposed and are in the process of being 
implemented. The cost of registering a property in  Namibia has increased to 13.8% of the property 
value (from 9.9% in 2008), making such transactions the most expensive in the SACU region. 
Table 2.2 Business environment in Namibia, 2008 and 2015 
 2008 2015 
Ease of doing business (ranka) 43 88 
Starting a business    
- Ranka 101 156 
- Costb 22.3 13.1 
- Number of days 99 66 
Trading across borders    
Ranka 144 136 
Number of export documents 11 8 
Time to export (days) 29 24 
Cost to exportc 1,539 1,650 
Documents to import (number) 9 7 
Time to import (days) 24 20 
Cost to importc 1,550 1,805 
Getting credit 36 61 
Registering property   
- Rank 128 173 
- Number of procedures 9 8 
- Costd 9.9 13.8 
a The 2008 rankings are based on 178 countries and economies, and the 2015 rankings on 
189 countries and economies. 
b Percentage of income per capita. c US$ per container. d Percentage of property value. 
Source: World Bank (2008); and World Bank (2015), "Doing Business". Viewed at: 
http://www.doingbusiness.org/reports /global-reports/doing-business-2015 . 
2.26.  Namibia has bilateral investment treaties (BITs) with Austria, Finland, France, Germany, the 
Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland. BITs have been signed, but are not yet in force with China, 
Congo, Cuba, Italy, Malaysia, the Russian Federati on and Viet Nam. Namibia has double taxation 
agreements with 11 countries: Botswana, France, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mauritius, Romania, 
the Russian Federation, South Africa, Sweden and the United Kingdom.  
                                               
9 British High Commission Windhoek (2013), Doing Business in Namibia:  A Guide for UK Companies 
2014.  WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  2.27.  In terms of net inflows of FDI, Namibia ranks well in comparison to its SACU partners, 
sustaining inflows of 6% or more annually over the period 2010-13 (Table 2.3).  
Table 2.3 FDI, net inflows, 2010-13  
(% of GDP) 
 2010 2011 2012 2013 
Namibia 6.8 6.0 8.4 6.9 
Botswana 1.0 7.0 1.0 1.3 
Lesotho 8.2 8.1 3.2 1.9 
South Africa 1.0 1.0 1.2 2.3 
Swaziland 3.5 2.2 2.2 0.6 
Source: World Bank online information. Viewed at: 
http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS . 
2.28.  An audit conducted in 2010 of the Namibia Investor Roadmap (2005) which was set up to 
identify the administrative, procedural and regulatory barriers that hinder investment in Namibia 
and make specific recommendations for improvem ent, found that a number of recommendations 
had not been fully implemented.10 These include a lack of coordination amongst the various 
agencies tasked to address specific recommendations; a lack of clarity on the processes and 
procedures to be followed by investors, with websites displaying outdated information; a skills shortage in specialized and technical areas; continued delays in issuing work permits to foreigners; 
and little progress on the development of an investment law. 
 
 
                                               
10 USAID (2010), The Namibia Investor Roadmap Audit.  WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  3  TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES BY MEASURE 
3.1  Measures Directly Affecting Imports  3.1.1  Registration requirements 3.1.  The Companies Act, No. 28 of 2004, which came into operation on 1 November 2010, 
repealed the South African Companies Act, No. 61 of 1973, which had been applied in Namibia 
since 1973. In addition, Companies Administrative Regulations were issued in 2010. The Act covers both domestic and "external" companies,  i.e. those incorporated outside Namibia but 
trading through a local branch. Company registration is administered by the Registrar of 
Companies in the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development (MITSD). The name of 
the company must be approved by the Registrar prior to incorporation. All companies pay an annual duty calculated as a percentage of issued share capital whether domestic or external. The 
Act contains no special registration requirements for importers.  
3.2.  Namibia uses a single administrative document (SAD 500) for customs declaration and the 
ASYCUDA++ customs management system. Customs maintains a consolidated monthly import 
entry procedure to enable regular importers of SACU products to enter data on a monthly customs 
declaration. It also has a Direct Trader Inpu t (DTI) system linked to the ASYCUDA++ system. 
Namibia is in the process of migrating to ASYCUDA World. The DTI is used by cargo carriers and 
freight forwarders and enables entry documentatio n to be processed electronically. A preliminary 
time release study on the average time to lodge a declaration, effect payment, and release goods 
has been done under the WCO-SACU Customs Development Programme (CDP), but further work is still required before it can be confirmed. Under a bond guarantee system which operates on goods 
in transit through Namibia, importers lodge a security to cover all charges, including local taxes 
and VAT; the bond may be redeemed once the goods have left Namibia. Security for the in bond removal of goods and warehousing is currently being reviewed.  
3.1.2  Customs procedures and requirements 
3.3.  The Directorate of Customs and Excise with in the Department of Revenue Management of the 
Ministry of Finance, is responsible for, inter alia, facilitating the smooth movement and clearance 
of legitimate trade, the collection of revenues and preparation of accurate trade statistics, and the 
detection and interdiction of illicit activities, including cross-border movement of undeclared or under-declared goods and contraband such as controlled substances and drugs.  
3.4.  The Customs and Excise Act 1998 is in the pr ocess of being completely overhauled in line 
with the Model Act adopted by the SACU Council in order to update it and provide for electronic 
documents and other modern methods of custom s processing. A number of improvements to 
incorporate standards and best practices of the Revised Kyoto Convention on customs procedures 
will soon be gazetted through the Customs and Excise Amendment Act, 2015 (currently with the 
Ministry of Justice for final scrutiny).  
3.5.  The proposed changes in the bill include provisions to cater for risk management control 
measures and applications; provisions for cooperation between government agencies, thereby 
facilitating the functioning of the Single Window concept; electronic issuance of licences, permits and other approvals; provision for customs declarations to be lodged prior to the arrival of goods in the customs territory, rather than after the goods arrive as is currently the case; provision for 
Authorized Economic Operators and Preferred Trad ers for those with good compliance records; and 
the imposition of an environment levy. 
3.6.  Namibia launched ASYCUDA World in September 2014 thus expanding the use and 
acceptance of electronic documents. It is currently being rolled out after wide consultation and 
training (including training for clearing agents).  Once the e-transactions bill is enacted, Customs 
and Excise will be able to accept electronic si gnatures on documents and begin the migration to 
paperless processes. This process is being dealt with  by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), but 
some consultations remain to be done. 
3.7.  The use of clearing agents for import purposes, while not mandatory, is encouraged. Fees for 
clearing agents are commercially set. In 2013, Namibia established a risk management unit, which WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  is linked to the World Customs Organization, through the national Customs Enforcement Network 
(nCEN), in order to share intelligence and secure  trade regionally and internationally and, in 
general, to support the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards. The risk management system is used mostly for excisable goods, e.g. liquor and tobacco. According to the authorities, statistics are kept 
but not released, so as not to jeopardize enforcement interventions.  
3.8.  The Namibia Trade Portal which will provide a single platform for all trade-related information 
is not yet established, but Customs and Excise is currently laying the groundwork to do so. It is 
anticipated that the Trade Portal will be functi onal by 2016. Together with the MITSD, Customs 
and Excise is in the process of configuring a National Single Window. 
3.9.  Neither pre-shipment nor destination inspection of imports is required in Namibia.  
3.10.  The Namibia Customs and Business Forum was officially launched in January 2013. The 
forum is expected to foster dialogue between pub lic and private sector stakeholders in the trading 
chain to continually assess and adopt measures that promote effective trade facilitation, enhance customs operations and achieve higher compliance by the trading community. The preferred trader 
(PT) programme was launched in 2013 and is being rolled out as a pilot exercise. Two conformity 
audit assessments were completed on select enterprises. The PT will serve as a precursor to an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) system.  The conditions applying to the PT and AEO 
programmes are laid out in the draft Customs and Excise Amendment Bill.  
3.11.  The one-stop border post (OSBP) concept, as an element of a broader consolidated border 
management (CBM) approach, has in principle b een approved by Cabinet for all major border 
points. The legislative framework has been develope d and is currently with the Ministry of Justice 
for legal vetting. This forms part of the Customs Am endment Bill, and is also to be supported by a 
Draft MOU between Namibia and Botswana. The one-stop border post between Namibia and Botswana will pilot these concepts which are expected to reduce transit times by 3-5 hours on a 
one-way trip, and offer other trade facilitative benefits.  
3.12.  Namibia has successfully piloted IT inte rconnectivity under the SACU CDP carnet with 
Botswana. In addition, a customs scanner programme was rolled out across all main entry points 
during 2013-14. A dog detector unit was established during 2013-14; so far 15 canines have been 
procured, and handlers selected and trained.  
3.13.  Namibia has signed a MOU with Zambia Revenue Authority and a cooperation and 
management agreement with China's customs authorities.  
3.14.  Namibia ranks 136
th in the World Bank's Trading Across Borders Index, ahead of Botswana 
(157th) and behind South Africa (100th). Namibia compares favourably with the sub-Saharan 
average cost to export (US$1,650 versus US$2,200) and import (US$1,805 versus US$2,931) a 
container.  
3.1.3  MFN taxation of imports 3.15.  Namibia applies the SACU CET (Main Report, section 3.4.1).  
3.16.  A value added tax of 15% is payable on the sale price of locally produced goods and 
services and on all imports based on the f.o.b price plus 10%. Following the VAT Amendment Act in 2010,  medical and paramedical services, funeral und ertaking services, dry white and dry and 
wet brown granular sugar, and fresh milk became zero-rated for VAT. The VAT Amendment Act, 
2011, abolished the supply of medical or paramedica l services as a zero-rated supply and provided 
instead for supply of these services as an exempt supply.
1  
3.17.   Under the 2014/15 budget, the VAT registration threshold has been increased from 
N$200,000 to N$500,000. Tax revenue from  VAT accounted for 18% of Namibia's total tax 
revenue in FY 2011/12 and 24% in FY 2013/14.  
                                               
1 Zero-rated goods and exempt supp lies are listed in the VAT Act and explained in practice notes. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  3.18.  Excise duties levied under Schedule 1, Part 2a and b of the respective customs and excise 
laws are set annually in accordance with Article 21 of the 2002 SACU Agreement (Main Report, section 3.4.5).  
3.19.  Excise levies in SACU countries are not country specific. A carbon emission levy on specified 
vehicles and an environment levy (which would be payable on plastic bags, incandescent light 
bulbs and tyres) are under discussion and may be introduced during 2015, as announced in the 
Minister of Finance's Budget Statement for 2015/16.  
3.1.3.1  Tariff preferences 
3.20.  Namibia is a member of SADC (but has not yet signed the SADC Trade in Services Protocol), 
and is party, together with its SACU partners to an FTA with EFTA and MERCOSUR member States. The EU-SACU Economic Partnership Agreement was initialled on 15 July 2014 and is expected to 
enter into force in October 2015. Namibia has a preferential trade agreement with Zimbabwe 
which dates back to 1992. 
3.21.  Namibia is party to the Tripartite Agreement (TFTA) which aims to create a free trade area 
between COMESA, SADC and the EAC and which was launched on 10 June 2015. A recent study 
suggests that the opportunities and challenges of the TFTA appear to be limited in the short to 
medium term for Namibia, due to its limited trade relations with non-SACU SADC countries which 
account for only 0.06% of its exports and 0.09% of imports.
2 According to the study, the major 
challenge for Namibia to implement the TFTA would not be import competition or revenue losses due to tariff reductions but the creation of, and participation in, a comprehensive institutional framework, given that current trade-related institutions are weak or non-existent on the SACU and 
SADC levels. 
3.1.3.2  Other duties and charges 3.22.  Article 26 of the SACU Agreement permits the BLNS countries to apply infant industry 
protection (IIP) to their emerging industries for a maximum of eight years. Infant industry 
protection on pasta in place since 2002, which took the form of an additional tariff of up to 40%, 
was phased out in December 2014.  
3.23.  Following a challenge brought by South Afri can companies, the measure on UHT milk (which 
was subject to an additional tariff of 40% that  was phased out in December 2013 and a QR since 
then) has been set aside pending an outcome in Namibia's national courts.  
3.24.  In order to protect its cement industry, Namibia imposed IIP on cement in July 2012 in the 
form of a 60% duty. The 60% rate was valid until 2014 whereupon it was scheduled to an annual 
linear decrease to reach 12% in 2018. Namibia's domestic demand for cement is currently estimated to be about 0.5 Mt/yr. One importer ch allenged the procedure. Until the Constitutional 
Court rules on the matter, the applicant in the case is not required to pay the additional duty (but 
will be required to pay duties retroactiv ely should the ruling go against it).  
3.25.  In November 2010, Namibia imposed a general levy of 0.8% of the selling price on imports 
of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, meat or meat products.
3 In addition, a special meat classification levy 
of N$10 per cattle carcass, N$2 per sheep or goat carcass and N$6 per pig carcass was imposed. 15% of the general levy is used to fund the Farm Assured Namibia Meat Scheme and 5% for the provision of emergency veterinary services. The special meat classification levy is used to fund 
carcass classification services provided by the Meat Board of Namibia. 
3.1.4  Rules of origin 3.26.  Rules of origin of the SACU, SADC and EF TA agreements are covered by the Main Report 
(Main Report, section 3.4.3). 
                                               
2 GFA Consulting Group (2013). 
3 Government Gazette, 15 December 2010. Viewed at: 
http://www.nammic.com.na/jdownloads/Industry%20Acts/levies-meatindustryact1981.pdf. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  3.27.  In addition to its membership in SADC and its RTAs with third countries under SACU, 
Namibia has a bilateral preferential agreement with Zimbabwe, signed in 1992.4 The agreement 
provides for reciprocal duty-free market access subj ect to rules of origin of 25% local content for 
manufactured goods. Either Namibia or Zimbabwe should be the last place of substantial 
manufacturing. In contrast, the product-specific rules of origin of the SADC Trade Protocol require 
a change of tariff heading or regi onal content of between 35 to 40%. 
3.1.5  Import prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing 
3.28.  Quantitative restrictions introduced on dairy products are not currently applied following a 
ruling by the High Court.   
3.29.  The SACU rebate facility allows limited quanti ties of specific products to be imported into 
Namibia from outside SACU, duty-free. Under this facility, imports of wheat and dairy products into 
Namibia are subject to a tariff rate quota (TRQ). The TRQ on wheat was increased in 2014 from 
50,000 tonnes to 80,000 tonnes per rebate year. The in-quota tariff is zero. The TRQ on butter is 400 tonnes, cheese 300 tonnes, skimmed milk powder 700 tonnes and whole milk powder 
400 tonnes. The in-quota tariff is zero. Information on the quantities of wheat and dairy products 
that can be imported duty free as well as the application procedure is published in newspapers in September each year. Quotas are allocated on the basis of previous year utilization while allowing 
space for new entrants.  
3.30.  A QR of 600 tonnes per month on poultry imports was imposed from May 2013 to protect 
Namibia's "nascent" poultry industry. The QR was subsequently increased to 900 tonnes per month in November 2013 and applies to both SACU countries and other WTO Members and is 
administered by the Meat Board of Namibia. The distribution of import quotas is based on 
companies' market share and local purchase. The Committee administering the QR meets monthly (or more often during the holiday season) and adjusts QR volumes when necessary, depending on 
local supply. 10% of the QR is reserved for newcomer companies who need to establish six-month 
local purchase. The measure on poultry has been challenged in Namibia's national courts.  
3.31.  Namibia operates a system of import permits for a range of products that are managed by a 
number of different agencies.
5 The Namibian Agronomic Board is responsible for the import permit 
system under the Agronomic Industry Act, No. 20 of 1992, for the importation of controlled agronomic crops - white maize, wheat, pearl millet, and horticultural products. Permits for white maize and pearl millet are only granted during th e open border period once domestic production 
has been marketed to millers. The Namibian Agrono mic Board notifies openings and closings of the 
border for these cereals. Floor prices for controlled cereals are set by agreement between producers and processors based on a five-year average of the South African Futures Exchange 
(SAFEX) adjusted to import parity prices from South Africa. A licence fee of N$36 is payable; 
permits are valid from one to three months (which may be extended). Production and import volumes for white maize, wheat and pearl millet are shown in Table 3.1.  
Table 3.1 Production and import volume s of controlled agronomic crops, 2008-13 
(Tonnes) 
 Pearl Millet Wheat White Maize 
 Local Production Imports Local Production Imports Local Production Imports 
2008/09 37,301 2,185 14,581 46,025 14,581 51,014 
2009/10 73,272 3,336 12,448 64,211 12,448 64,661 
2010/11 41,166 1,034 11,511 69,519 11,511 69,519 
2011/12 55,950 1,860 11,930 74,553 11,930 84,543 
2012/13 24,700 3,863 14,819 86,826 14,819 87,726 
Source: Namibian Agronomic Boar d, Annual Report No. 26, 2012/13. 
3.32.  The Namibian Market Share Promotion (MSP) Programme run by the Namibia Agronomic 
Board requires all importers of horticultural fres h produce to buy a certain minimum percentage of 
fresh produce cultivated in Namibia before a perm it is granted for imports. When the Programme 
was established in 2005, the compulsory percentage was 5%, but this has been progressively 
                                               
4 This agreement has not been notified to the WTO. 
5 WTO document G/LIC/N/3/NAM/5, 11 May 2010. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  increased and stood at 41.5% in 2014. Imports of fresh produce increased from 19,786 tonnes in 
2010 to 23,695 tonnes in 2014. The Pork Market Share Promotion Scheme launched in 2012 promotes the local production of pork meat based on a local purchase/import ratio of 1:2 between February to September and 1:3 for October to January.  
3.33.  Live animals (cattle, sheep, goats and pigs) and products thereof are subject to an import 
permit system administered by the Meat Board of Namibia. Importers must be registered with the Meat Board. The permit is issued free of charge and is valid for up to one month which may be 
extended.  
3.34.  The MITSD has responsibility for the contro l of imports of all other products that require 
permits and do not fall under the jurisdiction of  other government institutions and agencies. In 
particular, permits are required for second-hand go ods, and marine and minerals products. No fee 
is payable. The import of second-hand clothing and left-hand drive motor vehicles is prohibited. 
The import of second-hand motor vehicles, previous ly limited to five-year-old vehicles, has been 
relaxed to include vehicles up to eight years old. Other second-hand goods such as tyres are 
subject to import licensing.  
3.1.6  Standards and other technical requirements 3.35.  The Namibian Standards Institution (NSI), established in accordance with the Standards Act 
No. 18, of 2005, is governed by the Namibian Standards Council (NSC), which was set up in 
February 2011. The NSI's responsibilities include developing, adopting and applying standards; providing accurate measurement traceability to international standards and consumer protection regarding quantities of traded products through the metrology division; providing reliable testing 
especially for food such as fish and fishery products including shellfish, canned fish and canned 
products; and rendering food safety technical support to the aquaculture, fishing and other industries through regular tests conducted at the NSI testing centre for the presence of biotoxins, 
heavy metals and microbiological contaminants.  
3.36.  The NSI (Food) Testing Centre is a facility accredited by the South African National 
Accreditation System (SANAS). It also obtained accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025 in 2011. The 
current scope of accreditation includes 13 mi crobiology and six chemistry test methods. 
3.37.  In 2009, the NSI was designated by the Government as the competent authority for fish 
and fishery with regard to standards and technical requirements. Its responsibilities include the inspection of chilled and frozen fish, the inspection of factories and vessels for Hazard Analysis 
Critical Control Point (HACCP) compliance, and health-related issues. As part of its mandate, the 
NSI has established a Fishery Inspectorate Division with business centres in Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. The NSI Fishery Inspectorate is accredited under ISO/IEC 17020:2012. The scope of 
accreditation for the Fishery Inspectorate covers chilled and frozen fish and canned fish and fishery 
products.  
3.38.  The development of standards is based on need, usually expressed by an industry, 
government, consumer group or individual which communicates this to NSI. Once the need for a 
national standard has been identified, a technical committee (TC) is established, if not in existence. Each project undergoes a series of development stages. Initially during the proposal or request stage the need to develop or adopt a new standard is examined and verified. Thereafter 
during the preparatory stage a working draft standard is developed for referral to the committee. 
The committee then discusses the working draft standard, and if necessary returns it with comments to the working group until consensus is reached. At the public enquiry stage, the 
document is circulated for public comments for a period of 60 days. Thereafter during the 
ratification stage, the committee ensures that all the stages have been satisfactorily adhered to. 
Finally, during the publication stage, the developed or adopted standard is gazetted and then 
published by the NSI as a Namibian Standard. 
3.39.   In 2011, the NSI Metrology Laboratory was inaugurated to serve as the National Metrology 
Institute (NMI) of Namibia. The NMI is resp onsible for the establis hment of a national 
measurement traceability system through maintenance of national measurement standards and 
dissemination of traceability by providing ca libration services to industry. The Metrology 
Laboratory is accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 for the calibration of weights, scales, WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  micropipettes, volume measures and glassware by the Southern African Development Community 
Accreditation Services (SADCAS). The Metrology Laboratory also houses the legal metrology function and is responsible for the administrati on of the Trade Metrology Act No. 77 as amended 
and the Metrology Act No. 17 of 2005. Through the administration of the Trade Metrology Act, NSI 
regulates the labelling and tolerance requirem ents for goods pre-packed for sale through 
documents harmonized by the SADC Cooperatio n in Legal Metrology (SADCMEL) structure.  
3.40.  NSI established Namibia's WTO TBT enquiry point in 2010 which has been notified to the 
TBT Committee.
6 Namibia has not made any notifications of new TBT measures to the WTO TBT 
Committee during the period under review. According to the authorities, Namibia has received a number of enquiries since the WTO/TBT enquiry point became operational but needs further technical assistance to carry out its notification obligations. 
3.41.  In 2014, NSI signed a memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation with the 
FAO. The MOU covers, inter alia : updating the status of Namibian Food Safety 
legislation/regulations; the development of national labelling regulations that are consistent with 
Codex, OIML and SADCMEL guidelines and that m eet national needs; technical support for the 
effective implementation of the GLOBALG.A.P. Certification Scheme for the horticultural industry; and strengthening institutional and staff capacity in the fields of shellfish inspection, HACCP, and 
food safety management systems auditing.  
3.42.  The authorities indicate that the NSI Certification Division provides independent third party 
conformity assessment services to its clients. Staffed by highly competent and experienced auditors, the division provides product certific ation (Standard and Premium Marks) and system 
and persons certification to the Namibian business community according to the requirements of 
ISO/IEC 17065, ISO/IEC 17021 and ISO/IEC 17024. Certification from the NSI provides organizations with the assurance that their products and services consistently comply with certain 
predefined standards, customer requirements and applicable legislation.  
3.43.  NSI has commenced work to implement the country's Shellfish Sanitation Programme and 
will soon apply to the country's trading partners  for Namibia to be added to the list of third 
countries approved to export shellfish to the European Union and other markets in North America 
and Asia.  
3.44.  The NSI represents Namibia in the Internat ional Organization for Standardization (ISO), the 
African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO), and the Affiliate Country Programme of the 
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and is a full participating member of the African 
Electrotechnical Commission (AFSEC) and the International Organization for Legal Metrology (OIML), as well as an associate member of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures 
(BIPM). The NSI also participates in the SADC SQAM structures in the implementation of the SADC 
TBT Annex of the SADC Trade Protocol.  
3.1.7  Sanitary and phytosanitary requirements 
3.45.  Sanitary and phytosanitary provisions appl y to animal, plant and dairy imports, such as 
livestock, meat, fish, and honey. The Animal Health Act, 2011 (Act No. 1 of 2011) replaced the Animal Diseases and Parasites Act (Act No. 13 of 1956). Regulations supporting the new Act are 
currently under preparation. The Act requires the issuance of a permit prior to the importation of 
animals, animal products and restricted material, and a health certificate prior to export. The Act 
also makes provision for animal movement control and traceability and enforcement. Compensation is payable by the Government if an animal, animal product, or restricted material is 
destroyed for the purpose of controlling a disease. All imports of livestock, semen and embryos 
require a veterinary import permit and livest ock improvement permit issued by the MAWF.  
3.46.  Importers of live animals (such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs) must be in possession of a 
veterinary import permit from the MAWF. The OIE Animal Health Code is used as the guideline for 
setting import requirements.
7 Some imports are subject to the approval of other institutions, 
                                               
6 WTO document G/TBT/ENQ/38/Rev.1, 8 July 2011. 
7 In the case of animals/animal pr oducts from South Africa, a veterinary  import permit is only required 
for the importation of ostriches, elephants, wild pigs, wildebeest and buffalo. Importation of other 
animals/animal products is subject to a veterinary movement cert ificate issued by an official veterinarian in WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  e.g. the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in the case of protected species. In the case of 
breeding material, a livestock improvement permit is also required. An import permit, issued in Windhoek (N$50 per permit), is required prior to the importation or conveyance in transit of any 
animal, animal product or restricted material.  
3.47.  Animals may only be imported from countri es free from bovine spongiform encephalopathy 
(BSE) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) where vacci nation is not practised. In practice, live 
animals are usually only imported from South Africa or occasionally Botswana. Veterinary staff 
based at the border are available 24 hours a day to verify compliance with import and export 
requirements. All shipments of animals or animal products are verified, even if an MRA is in place.
8 
Heavy fines (N$1 million or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 20 years) are levied in the event of contravention or failure to comply, if found guilty in a court of law. In the event of an 
immediate risk of a disease being introduced or further spread in Namibia from another country, 
emergency restrictions may be put in place to prohibit imports. A health certificate is required for the exportation of animals, animal products and restricted material. A quarantine regime is 
operable in Namibia only for pets. 
3.48.  The Plant Quarantine Act 2008 (Act No. 7 of 2008), which repealed the Agricultural Pest Act 
(No. 3 of 1973), and accompanying Regulations came into operation on 1 July 2012. The Act 
provides for the prevention, monitoring, control an d eradication of plant pests; the movement of 
plants, plant products and other regulated articles; and the certification of SPS standards for exported plants and plant products.  
3.49.  All imports of plants, plant products and other regulated articles require a permit issued by 
the MAWF (N$150, valid for 21 days) and a phytosanitary certificate issued by the plant protection 
authority of the country of export. The Act ma kes provision for fines not exceeding N$20,000 or 
imprisonment for a period not exceeding 2 years, or both, in the case of contravention of import 
procedures. The Act also grants the Minister of th e MAWF the authority to declare by notice in the 
Gazette quarantine stations, areas and pests. Compensation is payable by the Government in the event that a plant or plant product is destroyed or harmed as a result of measures taken under the 
Act to eradicate, contain, or limit the spread of a plant pest. Plants may not be imported from 
countries with fruit flies.  
3.50.  A phytosanitary certificate is required from the MAWF for the export of any regulated plant 
material (N$150). 
3.51.  The Ministry of Environment and Tourism op erates an import permit system for the import 
of wild animals or plants or their parts, derivatives and products. The system is intended as an instrument to control and protect Namibia's fauna and flora as well as for statistical purposes. A 
certificate from the country of export's CITES Management Authority supporting and verifying the 
export of the product and a CITES export permit from the country of origin are required for such products. A fee of N$100 is payable and a permit is valid for six months.  
3.52.  For the import of general medicines a licence is required from the Namibian Medicine 
Regulatory Council. Licences are only granted to registered wholesalers and distributors. Once a 
licence is issued, the import of general medicines can be undertaken without an import permit. However, special import permits are required for the import of narcotics and psychotropic 
substances. A fee of N$1,000 is payable.  
3.53.  As of December 2014, all grain and primary processed grain products are only allowed to 
enter Namibia if accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin, a certificate 
of analysis on key parameters including moisture, foreign matter and aflatoxins, an official grade 
attestation by the country of origin (where applicable) and a valid plant health import permit and trade import permit.  
3.54.  The Food Safety Bill of 2007 is being considered for further development to become a law. 
Regulations to support the bill are being drafted to cover abattoir hygiene and meat inspection.  
                                                                                                                                               
South Africa in accordance with the requirements as se t out in the Namibian/South African bilateral agreement. 
Importation of dogs and cats for pers onal use from South Africa is allowed without a veterinary import permit, 
but a health certificate/movement permit issued by an  official veterinarian in South Africa is required. 
8 Namibia does not have Mutual Recognition Agreements with any other countries. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  3.55.  In 2014, the Government developed the Namibia Food Safety Policy to protect consumer 
health while facilitating trade in food. In order to achieve this objective, the policy ensures that control standards are established and adhered to as regards food production safety, food product hygiene, animal health and welfare, plant health , and preventing the risk of contamination from 
external substances. It also lays down conditions for regulations on appropriate labelling for these 
foodstuffs and food products. Consequently, a government notice was issued to all importers of grain, fresh produce and their primary processed products, fertilizers, farm feeds and pest control 
products,
9 regarding increased inspection controls at designated border posts with effect from 
15 December 2014. The authorities indicate that these measures are necessary to ensure food safety and adherence to import permit conditions. Inspections at border posts are carried out by the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency including collection of levies applicable at the point of 
termination of the imports.
10 
3.1.8  Other measures  3.56.  As mentioned in the last Trade Policy Review (TPR) report, Namibia has no official 
countertrade or import-offset arrangements, or agr eements designed to influence the quantity or 
value of goods and services exported to Namibia.  
3.57.  The national Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) is responsible for managing 
Namibia's National Strategic Food Reserve which comprises five locations throughout the country. 
During the recent drought, food reserve stocks we re almost exhausted but have since been rebuilt. 
To date, the Government has constructed silos with  a total storage capacity of 18,900 MT of food 
reserves comprising maize, sorghum and wheat. The Government plans to have food reserves with 
a capacity of 68,000 MT, equivalent to four months of emergency food relief. 
3.2  Measures Directly Affecting Exports 3.2.1  Registration and procedures 
3.58.  Exporters of live animals (cattle, sheep, go ats and pigs) and products thereof must obtain a 
permit from the Meat Board of Namibia. There is no charge for the permit. Exporters of controlled 
agronomic products (white maize, wheat, pearl millet, and horticultural products) are required to 
register with the Namibian Agronomic Board. A registration fee is charged depending on milling 
capacity.  
3.3  Export prohibitions, restrictions, and licensing 3.59.  Exports, except to SACU members, of nearly all products are subject to automatic licensing. 
A non-automatic permit is required for, inter alia , medicines; live animals and genetic materials; 
all ostrich-breeding materials; meat and game products; protected species under CITES; plants and plant products; firearms and explosives; mi nerals, including diamonds and gold; coins and 
bank notes; certain works of art and archaeological findings; and oysters.  
3.60.  Exports of sheep are subject to a 6:1 rule , i.e. six sheep must be slaughtered locally for 
each sheep exported live.  In response to drought conditions in 2013, a number of measures were 
approved to ease export conditions for small stock. These included amending the local 
slaughter/export ratio restriction from 6:1 to 1:1, for a 90-day period from 15 August 2013 to 15 November 2013. Cabinet approved the amendment in 2014. Government will continue to maintain the 1:1 export ratio until the industry can develop a long-term small stock marketing 
strategy, to ensure value addition in the whole chain. 
3.61.  Under a five-year agreement between De Beers and the Government of Namibia (signed in 
2007), the Namibia Diamond Trading Company (NDTC) was created to sell 16% of cuttable 
diamonds locally in an attempt to establish a local cutting industry. 10% of cuttable diamond 
production must be made available to local cutting and polishing companies. The Government is engaged in negotiations to increase this percentage. 
                                               
9 In accordance with the Agronomic Industry Act No. 20 of 1992 and the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, 
Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act No. 36 of 1947. 
10 Gazette Notice No. 247 of 1 August 2014. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
- 228 - 
 
  3.62.   Namibia applies the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme through the Namibia Diamond 
Trading Company of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, to certify that Namibia's rough diamonds are from areas free of conflict. Trade measures necessary to implement the Kimberley Process are 
covered by a WTO waiver.
11 
3.3.1  Export taxes, charges, and levies 
3.63.  In November 2010, Namibia imposed a general levy of 0.8% on the ex port price of cattle, 
sheep, goats or pigs. As of 1 April 2004, an expo rt levy is charged under the Customs and Excise 
Act, 1998 on the export of slaughter-ready mature bovine animals (30% ad valorem ), hides (30%) 
and goat skins (15%). The 15% levy on pi ckled sheep skins was withdrawn as of 
15 December 2013. The 30% export levy on cattle was temporarily withdrawn as from 15 August 2013 as a result of the drought, but was reintroduced as of 15 November 2014. 
3.64.  Unprocessed diamonds are subject to a 10% export tax. Raw hides and skins (wet- and dry-
salted), and goat skins are subject to an export levy of 60% and 15% respectively.  
3.65.  Namibia has announced the introduction of an export levy on primary commodities and 
natural resources (i.e. diamonds and minerals, and fishery and forestry products) in order to 
promote domestic value addition and increase revenue. The proposed levy rate is not expected to exceed 2% of the value of the goods exported.  Legislation in this regard is expected to be tabled 
in Parliament during 2015. 
3.3.2  Export promotion and support 3.66.  Namibia has notified that it maintained no export subsidies in the years 2002 to 2009.
12 No 
export subsidies have been provided since that date.  
3.67.  However, the Directorate of International Trade under the Division of Trade Promotion has 
an Export Marketing Assistance Programme (EMAP). Th e objective of EMAP is to assist exporters of 
Namibian manufactured products in developing new export markets. The programme is aimed at 
promoting and expanding trade and related activities through assisting exporting manufacturers 
in: engaging in primary market research, attending trade fairs and exhibitions regionally and internationally, and engaging in any other related activities that may further the objectives of the 
programme. 
3.68.  The Development Bank of Namibia provides financial support through commercial banking 
facilities, including the Enterprise Development Facility. The support consists of pre- and post-shipment working capital to majority Namibian -owned enterprises for the export of goods and 
services, including tourism, and imports of capital goods. 
3.69.  The incentive packages for Export Processing Zones and other tax incentives offered by 
Namibia are currently under review and a new incentive scheme is expected to be introduced in 
the near future. 
3.70.  An 80% tax deduction scheme is in place for income derived from exports of manufactured 
goods, other than meat or fish. Eligible manufacturers must be registered with the MITSD and the 
Ministry of Finance. Manufacturing enterprises and exporters that do not have EPZ status can 
benefit from tax exemption for dividend payments and accelerated capital allowances. The incentives set out in the Income Tax Act include: an additional 25% allowance on manufacturing wages, training costs and, for ten years, land-bas ed transport of materials used in manufacturing; 
an additional deduction for export promotion activi ties (varies depending on the growth of export 
turnover)
13; accelerated capital allowances for machinery and equipment (which can be fully 
written off over three years), buildings used for manufacturing purposes (20% in the first year and 
8% per year for the next ten years) and other build ings (20% in the first year and 4% per year for 
                                               
11 WTO document WT/L/876, 14 December 2012. 
12 WTO document G/AG/N/NAM/16, 26 April 2010. 
13 25% if current export turnover has increased by 10% or less compared to the average turnover for 
the previous three years; 50% if the current export tu rnover has increased by more than 10% and less than 
25% compared to the previous three years; or 75% if the current export turnover  has increased by 25% or 
more compared to the previous three years. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
- 229 - 
 
  the next 20 years; and a rate of tax of 18% on ta xable income for ten years and on expiry of that 
term the standard rate of 35% for manufacturing enterprises.  
3.71.  Namibia's Export Processing Zones Act dates back to 1995 (Act No. 9 of 1995, as 
amended). EPZ status is not confined to a specific area or region. Enterprises that undertake 
manufacturing or assembly operations must export 100% in the first year of production. However, 
after having been in operation for at least a year, an EPZ enterprise  may apply for special 
consideration and permission to sell up to a maximum of 30% of its previous year's production 
output in the domestic (SACU) market. Thereafter  they can apply to export not less than 70% of 
their production, earn foreign exchange and employ Namibians. EPZ enterprises may hold foreign currency accounts and repatriate capital and profits. Tax incentives for EPZ enterprises include exemption from corporate tax, import tax, sales tax, and stamp and transfer duties on goods and 
services required for EPZ activities. These bene fits are limited to a pe riod of ten years.  
3.72.  EPZ enterprises are free to establish themse lves anywhere in the country. An EPZ enterprise 
can set up as a single factory enterprise at any clearly demarcated location of choice. The main 
focus of the EPZ is on export-oriented manufa cturing activities, excluding fish and meat 
processing. Extractive operations such as mining and fishing are not eligible. All mining operations are taxable under the normal tax regime. However, mineral processing or beneficiation operations 
may be considered and granted EPZ status. Fo r purposes of incentive administration and 
monitoring, there has to be a clear separation between the mineral processing EPZ enterprise and any other entities with which that enterprise is doing business or to which it is linked, in terms of business registration and identity, operations and management structures. 
3.73.  The ODC (together with NIC) is responsible for the administration of EPZs and develops and 
leases serviced industrial and business sites and factory shells. The role and nature of ODC is currently under review and may be merged with another entity. The Customs and Excise 
Department of the Ministry of Finance monitors the movements of inputs and outputs from EPZ 
enterprises to ensure export obligations are met. Special customs regulations apply to an EPZ. Walvis Bay EPZ Management Company (WBEPZC) manages the Walvis Bay EPZ. 
3.74.  A project seeking EPZ-enterprise status must be a green-field project and the applicant 
must be incorporated as a new company under the Companies Act. A brown-field project or operating company cannot convert to an EPZ ente rprise. A comprehensive business plan and EPZ 
application forms, which are available in paper or electronic format, should be submitted to the 
ODC. The ODC works in consultation with the Namibia Investment Centre, the Ministry of Finance 
and the Bank of Namibia to consider the applicatio n against the criteria of the EPZ Act. Projects 
that meet the qualifying conditions for admissi on under the EPZ are referred to the EPZ Committee 
for final consideration and approval. The Committee consists of the Minister of Trade and Industry, 
the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Ba nk of Namibia, assisted by the ODC and officials 
drawn from other Ministries and agencies. An approved applicant is issued with an EPZ certificate 
signed by the Minister of Trade and Industry. The certificate sets out the terms and conditions of 
admission to operate as an EPZ enterprise. 
3.75.  A report by ODC on the performance of EPZs from 1997-2012 showed that Namibia has 
attracted investment in diverse economic activities which include manufacturing of automotive 
parts, marine ropes and cordages, household plastic products, abrasive products and tobacco; 
motor vehicle assembly; mineral processing such as zinc and copper refinery; and cutting and polishing of diamonds, marble and granite.  Some 80% of registered and operational 
EPZ enterprises are engaged in mineral processing , followed by 15% in general manufacturing and 
the remainder in assembly operations (Table 3.2). Sales in regional and local markets accounted for N$60 billion in 2012 and were mainly by companies in the mineral processing sector.  WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
- 230 - 
 
  Table 3.2 Summary of EPZ enterprises, 2012 
Sector Number of 
enterprises Investment 
value 
(N$ 
million) Employment 
level Export 
value 
(N$ 
million) Expenditure on 
local goods and 
services 
(N$ million) 
General manufacturing 3 54 119 31 12 
Mineral processing 19 12,626 2,369 7,895 1,597 
Assembly operations 1 9 35 18 4 
Total 23 12,689 2,523 7,944 1,613 
Source: Offshore De velopment Company, Report on the Performance of th e Export Processing Zones (EPZ) 
Programme: 1997-2012 . 
3.76.  The origin of foreign investment includes  Germany, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, 
South Africa, Israel, Spain, the Netherlands, Russia, the United States, Belgium, China and France. 
In 2012, the total level of investment in the EPZ increased to N$12.7 billion, up N$7 billion on the 
previous year. The production value of the EPZ companies in the key sectors of manufacturing, mineral processing, and vehicle assembly declined from N$9.9 billion in 2008 to N$5.9 billion in 2012 (Table 3.3). Employment levels grew fr om 2,109 in 2008 to 2,532 in 2012, but are still 
considerably down from a peak of 10,057 in 2004. 
Table 3.3 Production value of EP Z enterprises by sector, 2008-12 
(N$ million) 
Sector  2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 
Manufacturing 59 21 23 31 27 
Mineral processing 9,736 3,209 3,752 6,191 5,895 
Assembly operations 71 4 - 5 5 
Total 9,867 3,235 3,775 6,228 5,928 
Source: Offshore De velopment Company, Report on the Performance of th e Export Processing Zones (EPZ) 
Programme: 1997-2012 . 
3.77.  A recent study argues that EPZs in Namibia have not met expectations in terms of job 
creation. Factors such as the continuous increase in fuel prices and the resultant high costs of 
transport and logistics, comparatively high wages,  and perceived low labour productivity serve to 
cancel out the corporate tax relief benefits that  are offered through the EPZ, and reduce the 
competitiveness rating and perception of Namibia as an investment location.14 Likewise, a cost-
benefit analysis of incentive programmes to attr act FDI, such as the EPZ scheme, suggests that 
they have not been successful in delivering their stated aims. They have not been able to attract investments that are export-oriented and labour -intensive and have made little contribution 
towards the goals of generating employment, increa sing export earnings, technology transfer and 
skills development.
15 Equally, companies operating under the EPZ schemes have generated little 
backward linkages or spillover benefits to the rest of the economy. The scheme has generated 
substantial costs such as: foregone tax revenue; administrative and promotional costs; capital 
outlays for infrastructural development; costs of purchasing land; subsidised services; public liability in the case of publicly owned and ma naged companies; and, social and environmental 
costs.
16 According to the authorities no land has been  purchased for EPZ companies (in the case of 
Ramatex, land was leased) and capital outlays for infrastructural development is not limited to EPZ companies. 
3.78.  The Government is looking at ways to improve the regime, for example, by creating special 
economic zones which can accommodate a wider range of activities, e.g. services, manufacturing 
and agro-processing and which would benefit both the domestic and international markets.  
3.79.  In September 2014, a government-funded partnership between the Namibia Trade Forum 
(NTF) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) launched the ACCESS! Namibia Export 
Development Service for Businesswomen programm e. The goal is to improve business support 
services for women entrepreneurs in order to increase their capacity to export and improve their 
                                               
14 Offshore Development Company, Report on the Performance of th e Export Processing Zones (EPZ) 
Programme: 1997-2012 . 
15 MTI and UNDP (2011), Integrating Globally: Namibia's Ai d for Trade Framework and Strategy . 
16 Ibid. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
- 231 - 
 
  success in regional and international markets. The programme is a technical service that imparts 
knowledge, not funds. It is funded by the MITSD at an initial cost of N$1.5 million. 
3.80.  The Namibian Investment Centre offers subsidised loans from the Namibian Development 
Corporation, and cash grants for exporters of loca lly manufactured goods of up to 50% of the real 
cost of specified export promotion and marketing expenses incurred. Special non-tax incentives for 
manufacturers include: funding of certain export promotion activities, up to a maximum of 50% of direct costs; and availability of industrial stud ies undertaken by the Government at 50% of their 
production cost to companies that wish to develop investment opportunities. Other incentives 
currently under investigation include: reduced airfreight for exporters; subsidised transport; subsidies on electricity, housing,  training and relocation costs; and price preferences on tenders.
17 
3.81.  The Namibia Financial Sector Strategy recommended the establishment of a national 
venture capital fund/risk facility to bridge the fi nancing gap that is experienced by SMEs. A project 
team comprising the Development Bank of Namibi a, the Bank of Namibia, and GIZ commissioned 
a feasibility study conducted in two phases: assessment of the need for a risk finance facility; and 
the design of such a facility. Phase 1 of the feasibility study concluded with consensus on the need 
for multiple risk facilities and the emergence of the SME Financing Strategy. Three facilities for the SME Financing Strategy have been proposed: a credit guarantee scheme designed to address the 
challenge of inadequate collateral, a constraint faced by many MSMEs when applying for credit; a 
catalytic first loss venture capital fund designed to finance the growth-oriented SMEs; and a challenge fund, a theme-based risk-sharing facility  that will address the needs of MSMEs in terms 
of non-financial services that will enhance their growth and development. The three facilities are 
currently under consideration. 
3.4  Measures Affecting Production and Trade 3.4.1  Incentives 
3.82.  Namibia notified two domestic support measures in 2010.
18 A livestock marketing scheme 
provides for the subsidization of transport and quarantine costs to farmers living north of the veterinary cordon fence (VCF).
19 This scheme is aimed at encouraging the marketing of livestock 
to reduce pressure on the land in cases of drought and to ensure that processing facilities have 
sufficient throughput. There is no specific time-period defined for application. In FY 2014/15, N$6 million was spent on this measure.  
3.83.  The second measure concerns strategic grain reserves (section 4.2).  
3.84.  Other domestic support measures include extension services to the agricultural sector in the 
form of information, communication and advisory services; research on technical issues related to crop and livestock suitability, productivity, and co nservation of the ecosystem; implementation of 
programmes for diseases and pest control in livestock, as well as the operation of quarantine 
facilities and systems so as to retain eligibility of meat for export; an interest subsidy on loans for the purchase of commercial farming land by subsistence farmers; an interest subsidy for 
subsistence farmers on seasonal loans for crop production and longer-term loans for the purchase 
of draught animals and breeding stock, as well as for other essential farm development undertakings; and a fertilizer and seed subsidy, as well as ploughing services.
20 
3.85.  The support programmes under the current SME Policy developed by the MITSD in 2006 
consist of the Business Support Services Programme, the Entrepreneurship Development 
Programme and the Sites and Premises Programme. Under the Business Support Services Programme, SMEs are assisted through feasibility studies (80% of the cost is covered by the 
Ministry); business plan development (fully funded ); environmental impact assessments (80% of 
the cost is covered by the Ministry); enhancement of business skills through hands-on training including business turnaround strategy developm ent, monitoring and mentoring (fully funded); 
                                               
17 Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) (2014). 
18 WTO document G/AG/N/NAM/19, 15 October 2010. 
19 The VCF is a zoo sanitary fence that transects Namibia between latitude 19° and 20°. This barrier 
serves to separate areas based on their animal dise ase status and is recognized by the International 
Organization for Anim al Disease (OIE). 
20 WTO document G/AG/N/NAM/18, 15 October 2010. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
- 232 - 
 
  and assistance in providing an SME recognition certificate for tender purposes. The 
Entrepreneurship Development Programme provides SMEs with production machinery and equipment that are fully funded by the Mini stry. Under the Sites and Premises programme, 
premises are constructed at a cost covered by th e Ministry, then leased at lower prices by the 
Namibia Development Corporation (NDC). Its objective is to facilitate access to and effective 
utilization of finance and access to production space, and provide marketing services, specialized technical support, training, and consultancy services. No comprehensive review of the Business 
Support Services Programme has been undertaken to determine its impact on the SME sector. 
3.86.  In 2013 Cabinet approved the implementation  of the national single window concept by the 
MITSD. This initiative is expected to reduce establishment costs by a significant margin. The legal and policy frameworks for the implementation of the single window are still being developed.  
3.87.  The NIC has engaged the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise to advise on planning and to 
draft recommendations for the establishment of a on e-stop-shop facility. A final report is expected 
to be submitted to the NIC by June 2015. The integrated client service facility (ICSF), or one-stop 
shop, is chiefly a facility for potential investors for the coordination of information sharing related 
to making investments. The overall objective of the ICSF is to create a dynamic and well-positioned entity able to compete effectivel y in the global arena and with the capacity to 
effectively promote investment, disseminate inform ation on investment opportunities, and offer an 
efficient facilitation and aftercare support service. Such an entity will serve as the main point of 
call for all international and domestic investors and as a contact point for all institutions engaged in the promotion of investment. The goal is to reduce bureaucracy in relation to the processing of 
investor registrations and admissions and approval-r elated processes, and to provide an efficient 
aftercare service to existing investors. 
3.4.2  Competition policy and price controls 
3.88.  The Namibian Competition Act was promulgated in 2003, and has been in force since 2008. 
The Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC) was set up in accordance with the Act. The Competition Act prohibits restrictive business practices, including agreements between 
undertakings to fix prices, engage in collusive tendering, set minimum resale prices or limit 
production. It covers both horizontal and vertical agreements among businesses. The Act also prohibits abuse of a dominant position by an entity or group of entities.  
3.89.  In 2012, the Namibian Competition Commission published monetary merger notification 
thresholds
 and threshold criteria for the application of the abuse of dominance provisions under 
the Competition Act. According to the new regulations, the merger control provisions of the Competition Act apply to an undertaking whose annual turnover in, into or from Namibia exceeds 
N$10 million, or whose assets in Namibia are greater than N$10 million. 
3.90.  In 2012, the NaCC adopted a draft leniency policy, under which
 cartel members may secure 
immunity from prosecution, or significantly re duced fines, if they come forward and confess 
collusion. The policy is currently under review by the MITSD.  
3.91.  In addition to the NaCC, which is responsible for regulating competition across all economic 
sectors, Namibia has several authorities regulating  specific sectors. These include the Bank of 
Namibia (BoN), the Communications Regulatory  Authority of Namibia (CRAN), the Namibia 
Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA), and the Namibian Ports Authority 
(Namport). Both the BoN and CRAN have clear overlaps with the NaCC in terms of competition issues. The legislation establishing NAMFISA and Namport specifies no competition mandate for 
either institution. Even so, situations could arise which would make it difficult for these four sector 
regulatory agencies and the NaCC to carry out their respective mandates due to issues of concurrent jurisdiction. So far, Memoranda of Understanding exist between the NaCC and 
Namport, the Bank of Namibia and CRAN, while negotiations to conclude either an MoU or MoA 
with NAMFISA are at an advanced stage.
21  
3.92.  A Voluntary Peer Review of Namibia's competition law and policy conducted by UNCTAD 
indicates that stakeholders are generally satisfied with the performance of the NaCC.22 Although 
                                               
21 Namibian Competition Commission (2013). 
22 UNCTAD (2014). WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
- 233 - 
 
  Namibia has a fairly good competition law, the study found that the provisions of the Act on 
anticompetitive agreements contain some hindranc es to the effective control and prevention of 
restrictive business practices in that they do not provide for a clear distinction between the treatment of horizontal and vertical agreements , whose effects on competition are not the same, 
or between hard-core cartel and other "softer" horizontal agreements. While commending NaCC's 
enforcement of the merger control provisions of the Act, the study found that its enforcement of 
the restrictive business practices provisions had lagged behind, with no contravention found since 
the NaCC's establishment.
23 The authorities indicate that efforts are under way to ensure that 
NaCC has sufficient resources to ensure it meets its mandate as regards restrictive business practices.  
3.93.  The Government sets prices of petrol, diesel and paraffin (Petroleum Products and Energy 
Act, 1999). The authorities indicate that no other goods or services are subject to explicit price 
controls.  
3.4.3  State trading, state-owne d enterprises, and privatization 
3.94.  As of February 2015, Namibia's most recent notification concerning state-trading enterprises 
was made in April 2010.
24 The notification states that Namibia does not maintain any State 
Trading Enterprises within the meaning of Article XVII:4(a) and Paragraph 1 of the Understanding 
on the Interpretation of Article XVII of the GATT 1994. 
3.95.  There are 72 parastatals or state-owned enterprises (SOEs) operating in Namibia covering a 
wide variety of sectors (Table 3.4). The list of SOEs is composed of those with a statutory, regulatory, service provision or commercial function. SOEs are active in mining, electricity 
generation and distribution, meat processing, transport and telecommunications.  
3.96.  Part VI of the State-owned Enterprises Governance Act, 2006 (Act No. 2 of 2006) provides 
for the restructuring of SOEs, including liquidation or sale of their assets to the public. The SOE 
Governance Council must submit a proposed plan for the restructuring of any provisionally 
identified SOEs to the Cabinet for determination. No privatization of SOEs has taken place since 2008, nor is any planned at this time. 
3.97.  In order to supplement the State-owned Enterprises Governance Act (No. 2 of 2006), the 
Governance Policy Framework on SOEs was approved in 2010. SOEs are required to sign five-year performance agreements with Government and entities are run according to the King III guidelines on corporate governance using international accounting standards.  
Table 3.4 State-owned enterprises, 2015 
Enterprise Establishment Act Area of activity State's 
share of 
capital Market 
structure  
Accreditation Board of 
Namibia  Accreditation Board of Namibia 
Act, 2006 (Act No. 8 of 2006) Accreditation 100 Monopoly 
Agricultural Bank of Namibia  Agricultural Bank of Namibia 
Act, 2003 (Act No. 5 of 2003) Agriculture 100 Monopoly 
Agricultural Business 
Development Agency Government Gazette no. 247 of 
1 August 2014 Facilitates 
production of agricultural produce 100  
Agro-Marketing and Trade 
Agency Government Gazette no. 247 of 
1 August 2014 Facilitates 
marketing and 
trade of agricultural 
products 100  
Air Namibia (Proprietary) 
Ltd. .. National airline 100 Monopoly 
                                               
23 Ibid. 
24 WTO document G/STR/N/10/NAM, 12 May 2010. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
- 234 - 
 
  Enterprise Establishment Act Area of activity State's 
share of 
capital Market 
structure  
August 26 Holdings 
Company (Proprietary) Ltd. .. Trading, 
construction, 
manufacturing and 
logistics 100 Monopoly 
Communication Regulatory 
Authority of Namibia Communication Act, 2009 (Act 
No. 8 of 2009) Regulates 
communication 
provision 100 Monopoly 
Development Bank of 
Namibia  Development Bank of Namibia 
Act, 2002 (Act No. 8 of 2002) Financing 100 Monopoly 
Diamond Board of Namibia Di amond Act, 1999 (Act No. 13 
of 1999) Diamonds 100 Monopoly 
Electricity Control Board  Electricity Act, 2000 (Act No. 2 
of 2000) Regulates 
distribution of 
electricity 100 Monopoly 
Environmental Investment 
Fund of Namibia Environmental In vestment Fund 
of Namibia Act, 2001 (Act No. 13 of 2001) Environment 100 Monopoly 
Epangelo Mining Company 
(Proprietary) Limited .. Mining 100 Monopoly 
Fisheries Observer Agency  Marine Resources Act, 2000 
(Act No. 27 of 2000) Fisheries 100 Monopoly 
Game Products Trust Fund Game Products Trust Fund Act, 
1997 (Act No. 7 of 1997) Game 100 Monopoly 
Henties Bay Waterfront 
(Proprietary) Limited .. Accommodation 100 Monopoly 
Karakul Board of South 
West Africa Karakul Pelts and Wool Act, 
1982 (Act No. 14 of 1982) Karakul 100 Exclusive 
rights 
Lüderitz Waterfront 
Company (Proprietary) Ltd. .. Accommodation 100 Monopoly 
Meat Board of Namibia Meat Industry Act, 1981 (Act 
No. 12 of 1981) Meat 100 Monopoly 
Meat Corporation of 
Namibia  Meat Corporation of Namibia 
Act, 2001 (Act No. 1 of 2001) Meat processing 
and export 100 Monopoly 
Minerals Development Fund 
of Namibia Minerals Development Fund of 
Namibia Act, 1996 (Act No. 19 
of 1996) Minerals 100 Monopoly 
Motor Vehicle Accident Fund  Motor Vehicle Accident Fund 
Act, 2001 (Act No.4 of 2001) Motor vehicle 
accidents 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Airports Company Airports Company Act, 1998 
(Act No. 25 of 1998) Airport 
management  Monopoly 
Namibia Board of Trade .. Trade 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Bricks Enterprise 
(Proprietary) Ltd. .. Bricks 
manufacturing  Monopoly 
Namibia Development 
Corporation .. Implements and 
oversees capital projects of the MITSD 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Estate Agents 
Board Estate Agents Act, 1976 (Act 
No. 12 of 1976) Estates 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Financial 
Institutions Supervisory 
Authority  Namibia Financial Institutions 
Supervisory Authority Act, 2001 
(Act No. 3 of 2001) Regulates financial 
institutions 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Fish Consumption 
Promotion Trust .. Fish promotion 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Institute for Mining 
Technology .. Training in mining 
activities 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Institute of 
Pathology  Namibia Institute of Pathology 
Act, 1999 (Act No. 15 of 1999) Pathology 100 Monopoly WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
- 235 - 
 
  Enterprise Establishment Act Area of activity State's 
share of 
capital Market 
structure  
Namibia National 
Reinsurance Corporation Namibia National Reinsurance 
Corporation Act, 1998 (Act No. 22 of 1998) Insurance 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Post and Telecom 
Holdings Ltd. Posts and Telecommunications 
Companies Establishment Act, 
1992 (Act No. 17 of 1992) Post and 
telecommunications 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Power Corporation 
(Proprietary) Ltd. .. Power provision 100 Exclusive 
rights 
Namibia Press Agency Namibia Press Agency Act, 1992 
(Act No. 3 of 1992) Regulates press 
media 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Qualifications Authority Namibia Qualifications Authority 
Act, 1996 (Act No. 29 of 1996) Validates 
qualifications 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Sports Commission Sports Act, 2003 (Act No. 12 of 
2003) Sports 
administration 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Standards 
Institution Standards Act, 2005 (Act No. 
18 of 2005) Regulates the use 
of national and international standards, and ensures compliance  100 Monopoly 
Namibia Statistics Agency Statistics Act, 2011 (Act No. 9 
of 2011) Central statistical 
authority 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Tourism Board  Namibia Tourism Board Act, 
2000 (Act No. 21 of 2000) Regulates tourism 
activities 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Training Authority Vocational Education and 
Training Act, 2008 (Act No. 1 of 
2008) Regulates training 
institutions 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Water Corporation 
Ltd. Namibia Water Corporation Act, 
1997 (Act No. 12 of 1997) Water supply 100 Monopoly 
Namibia Wildlife Resorts 
Company Namibia Wildlife Resorts 
Company Act, 1998 (Act No. 3 
of 1998) Manages wildlife 
resorts 100 Monopoly 
Namibian Agronomic Board Agronomic Industry Act, 1992 
(Act No. 20 of 1992) Regulates 
agronomic industry 100 Monopoly 
Namibian Broadcasting 
Corporation  Namibian Broadcasting Act, 
1991 (Act No. 9 of 1991) Broadcasting  100 Monopoly 
Namibian College of Open 
Learning Namibian College of Open 
Learning Act, 1997 (Act No. 1 of 1997) Distance education 100 Monopoly 
Namibian Competition 
Commission  Competition Act, 2003 (Act No. 
2 of 2003) Regulates pricing of 
commodities 100 Monopoly 
Namibian Ports Authority Namibian Ports Authority Act, 
1994 (Act No. 2 of 1994) Oversees and 
manages Namibian ports 100 Monopoly 
Namibian Institute of Public 
Administration and 
Management Namibian Institute of Public 
Administration and Management 
Act, 2006 (Act No. 2 of 2006) Training in public 
administration and 
management 100 Monopoly 
National Art Gallery of 
Namibia  National Art Gallery of Namibia 
Act, 2000 (Act No. 14 of 2000) Arts 100  
Monopoly 
National Commission on 
Research, Science, and 
Technology  Research Science and 
Technology Act, 2004 (Act No. 
23 of 2004) Research 100 Monopoly 
National Disability Council  National Disability Council Act, 
2004 (Act No. 26 of 2004) Disability    100 Monopoly 
National Fishing Corporation 
of Namibia Ltd. National Fishing Corporation of 
Namibia Limited Act, 1991 (Act 
No. 28 of 1991) Fisheries 100 Monopoly WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
- 236 - 
 
  Enterprise Establishment Act Area of activity State's 
share of 
capital Market 
structure  
National Heritage Council  Na tional Heritage Council Act, 
2004 (Act No. 27 of 2004) Preservation of 
heritage and culture 100  
Monopoly 
National Housing Enterprise National Housing Enterprise Act, 
1993 (Act No. 5 of 1993) Housing 100 Monopoly 
National Petroleum 
Corporation of Namibia (Proprietary) Ltd. .. Petroleum 100 Exclusive 
rights 
National Special Risks 
Insurance Association 
(NASRIA)  Second Finance Act, 1987 (Act 
No. 27 of 1987)  Risk management 100 Monopoly 
National Theatre of Namibia (association not for gain) .. Arts 100 Monopoly 
National Youth Council National Youth Council Act, 
2001 (Act No. 13 of 2001) Youth services 100 Monopoly 
National Youth Service National Youth Service Act, 
2005 (Act No. 6 of 2005) Youth services 100 Monopoly 
New Era Publication 
Corporation  New Era Publication Corporation 
Act, 1992 (Act No.1 of 1992)  Publications 100 Monopoly 
Offshore Development 
Company Export Processing Zone Act, 
1995 (Act No. 9 of 1995) Infrastructure 
development 100 Monopoly 
Polytechnic of Namibia Polytechnic of Namibia Act, 
1994 (Act No. 33 of 1994) Tertiary education 100 Monopoly 
Road Fund Administration  Ro ad Fund Administration Act, 
1999 (Act No. 18 of 1999) Road administration 100 Monopoly 
Roads Authority  Roads Authority Act, 1999 (Act 
No. 17 of 1999) Regulates road 
infrastructure 100 Monopoly 
Roads Contractor Company  Ro ads Contractor Company Act, 
1999 (Act No. 14 of 1999) Road construction 100 Monopoly 
Security Enterprises and 
Security Officers Regulation 
Board Security Enterprises and 
Security Officers Act, 1998 (Act 
No. 19 of 1998) Security 100 Monopoly 
Social Security Commission Social Security Commission Act, 
1994 (Act No. 34 of 1994) Social welfare 100 Monopoly 
Star Protection Services 
(Proprietary) Ltd. .. Security 100 Monopoly 
 
Transnamib Holdings 
Limited National Transport Services 
Holding Company Act, 1998 (Act No. 28 of 1998) National transport 
Service 100 Monopoly 
Trust Fund for Regional 
Development and Equity 
Provisions Trust Fund for Regional 
Development and Equity 
Provisions Act, 2000 (Act No. 
22 of 2000) Regional 
development 100 Monopoly 
University of Namibia University of Namibia Act, 1992 
(Act No. 18 of 1992) Tertiary education 100 Monopoly 
War Veterans Trust Fund  War Veterans Subvention Act, 
1999 (Act No. 16 of 1999) War veterans 100 Monopoly 
Windhoek Machinen Fabrik 
(1998) (Proprietary) Ltd. .. Machinery 
manufacturing 100 Monopoly 
Zambezi Waterfront 
(Proprietary) Ltd. .. Accommodation 100 Monopoly 
.. Not available. 
Source: Government Gazette No. 5213, 31 May 2013 and the Namibian authorities. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  3.4.4  Government procurement 
3.98.  Namibia is neither a member of, nor observer to, the WTO Agreement on Government 
Procurement. The procurement rules governing th e system of tendering are laid down in the 
Tender Board of Namibia Act (No. 16 of 1996), th e Tender Board Regulations (approved in 1996), 
and the Tender Board of Namibia Code of Procedure (No. 191 of 1997). Government procurement 
of goods and services must be made through the Tender Board, established by the Tender Board 
Act. Contracts above N$10,000 must be let by public tender. Tenders are published in the 
Namibian Government Gazette and in at least one newspaper in Namibia.  
3.99.  The Tender Board Act is supported by regu lations which include price preference and local 
content guidelines. In 2013, Namibia amended these regulations. Goods procured or manufactured 
in Namibia must now have a local content of at least 60% (previously 10%). In addition, a 
tenderer may not be allowed to import any labour, goods or services for supply in terms of a 
government tender except where (a) in the case of a controlled commodity, proof is provided that 
local sources have been exhausted; or (b) in the case of labour, or other goods or services, the 
tenderer must provide proof that local sourcing is not possible or could not be satisfied as 
requested. Finally, the definition of "company" has been broadened to include associations, close 
corporations, partnerships and trusts, whether created or recognized in Namibia, or elsewhere, 
and whether created for profit or non-profit purposes. 
3.100.  A Public Procurement Bill which is inte nded to replace the Tender Board Act of 1996 was 
laid before Parliament in September 2013 but later withdrawn to allow for more consultations. Further review was undertaken and the bill will shor tly be reintroduced to Parliament. Unlike the 
current Tender Board Act, the new legislation will apply to all public institutions and will establish 
the proper structure to efficiently manage the pub lic procurement system. At national level, there 
will be a Procurement Policy Office, which wi ll be an advisory, oversight and compliance-
monitoring body in the Office of the Minister . The Central Procurement Board will replace the 
current Tender Board and will deal with major contracts. The Review Panel will deal with complaints and appeals from aggrieved bidders. At the level of the public body, there will be a 
Procurement Committee to oversee the procurement activities of the public body and to conduct 
the bidding process of procurements below the threshold set for the Tender Board. The Procurement Committee will be technically assisted by the Procurement Management Unit. 
3.101.  Besides meeting international standards, the bill provides for empowerment measures in 
favour of previously disadvantaged groups, Namibi an enterprises and local products. Although it 
establishes a Central Procurement Board, it is expected to gradually raise the thresholds to allow public bodies to deal with higher value contract s and thus move towards gradual decentralization 
along with capacity building. 
3.102.  A recent study by the Institute for Public Policy Research has identified a number of 
shortcomings of the legislative framework and institutional weaknesses of the public procurement 
process. These include the lack of an oversight body to monitor the assets, incomes and spending 
habits of Tender Board members and Secretariat staff; exemptions from official procurement procedures for major public procurement projects; and a growing lack of public trust in Namibia's procurement agencies evidenced by numerous legal challenges to Tender Board decisions.
25 
3.4.5  Intellectual property rights 
3.103.  The Industrial Property Act, 2012 (Act No. 1 of 2012) repeals a series of legislation from 
the pre-independence era.26 The Act provides for the following: establishment of an Industrial 
Property Office and the appointment of a Registrar of industrial property; the granting, protection 
and administration of patents and utility model certificates; the registration, protection and administration of industrial designs, trademarks, collective marks, certification marks and trade 
names; the registration of industrial property agents; and the establishment of an Industrial 
Property Tribunal. Section 215 of the Act provides for the establishment of an Industrial Property 
                                               
25 Institute for Public Policy Research (2011). 
26 The Patents, Designs, Trade Marks and Co pyright Act, 1916 (Act No. 9 of 1916) and any 
amendments; the Patents, Designs and Trade Marks Proclamation, 1923 (Proclamation No. 17 of 1923); the 
Patents, Trade Marks and Copyright Proclamation, 1940 (Proclamation No. 33 of 1940); and the Trade Marks in South West Africa Act, 1973 (Act No. 48 of 1973). WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
- 238 - 
 
  Tribunal with jurisdiction to decide upon any appeals lodged with it, decide on applications, and 
adjudicate on any matter under the Act. Regu lations have been drafted and are undergoing 
scrutiny before approval.  Copyright protection is offered by existing legislation dating from 1994. 
3.104.  According to the authorities, the new Act was required in order to repeal the outdated 
legislation of the pre-independence era. Industrial  Property Rights were previously administered 
and granted under various different pieces of legislation. The new Act consolidates these various pieces of legislation into one. Furthermore, the 2012 Act addresses current realities and takes into 
account Namibia's international obligations, such as treaties administered under WIPO, the WTO 
and ARIPO.  
3.105.  In an effort to improve service delivery and ensure effective administration of business and 
intellectual property rights (IPRs) registration , the Business and Intellectual Property Authority 
(BIPA) has been established under the auspices of the MITSD. BIPA serves as a one-stop centre 
for all business and IPR registrations and related matters. BIPA is currently established under Section 21 of the Companies Act, pending the enactm ent of the enabling legislation to transform it 
into a fully-fledged regulatory body. The functions of  BIPA are: to be the central focal point for the 
registration, administration and protection of bu sinesses, and commercial and industrial property 
rights; and to be the legal depository of the info rmation, documents and data that must be lodged 
under the applicable legislations. BIPA will further be tasked with the provision of general advisory 
services and the dissemination of information on business registration and IPRs. 
3.106.  Namibia is a member of the World Intelle ctual Property Organization and of the African 
Regional Industrial Property Organization. It is also a member of various other IPR treaties 
(Table 3.5).
27  
Table 3.5 IPR treaties to wh ich Namibia is a party, 2015 
Treaty Entry into force (for Namibia) 
Hague Agreement (Industrial Designs) 30 June 2004 
Madrid Agreement (Marks) 30 June 2004 
Madrid Protocol (Marks) 30 June 2004 
Paris Convention (Industrial Property) 1 January 2004 
Patent Convention Treaty 1 January 2004 
WIPO Convention 23 December 1991 
Berne Convention (Literary and Artistic Works) 21 March 1990 
Lusaka Agreement (ARIPO) 14 October 2003 
Harare Protocol (Patents and In dustrial designs) 23 April 2004 
Banjul Protocol (Marks) 14 January 2004 
Source: WIPO. 
3.4.5.1  Copyright and neighbouring rights 
3.107.  Copyright and neighbouring rights are protected under the Copyright and Neighbouring 
Rights Protection Act (No. 6, 1994, as amended) which is administered by the Audiovisual Media, 
Copyright Services and Regional Offices Directorate of the Ministry of Information and 
Communication Technology. Protection is given to literary, artistic, and musical works embodied in 
media such as films, sound recordings, broadcas ts and published editions, by providing owners 
with exclusive rights as required by the Berne Convention. The Act is described in detail in the last 
TPR report. 
3.4.5.2  Industrial property rights 3.108.  The new Industrial Property Act, 2012 covers, inter alia , patents, utility model certificates, 
industrial designs, trademarks, collective marks, certification marks and trade names.  
3.4.5.2.1  Patents 3.109.  Patents are available for any invention, whether products or processes, in all fields of 
technology, provided the invention is new, involves an inventive step and is industrially applicable. 
                                               
27 The Swakopmund Protocol on the Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Expressions of Folklore 
within ARIPO was signed by Namibia in August 2010 and is awaiting ratification. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  Matter excluded from patentability include scientific discoveries; artistic works; schemes or 
methods for doing business; computer programs; presentations; diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical methods for the treatment of humans or animals; plants and animals (other than micro-organisms) and essentially biological processes for their production; the human body and 
the whole or parts of natural living beings and biological materials found in nature; new uses of a 
known product or process; and inventions contrary to public order or morality. A patent holder has the right to exclude all other persons from exploiting the patented invention in Namibia without his 
or her authority. Penalties are foreseen in the Industrial Property Act, 2012, in the case of 
infringement. A patent expires 20 years after the date  of filing of the application. A patent granted 
by ARIPO by virtue of the Harare Protocol has the same legal standing as a patent granted under the Act, unless otherwise communicated by the Registrar to the contrary. In 2014, 34 applications 
for patents were received, of which 12 were registered. 
3.110.  Under the Act, a compulsory licence may be granted by the Tribunal in the event of non-
working or insufficient working of a patent
28, if the patent cannot be exploited in Namibia without 
infringing an earlier patent (interdependence of patents), or to safeguard the public interest. The 
latter is relevant in particular in cases of national security, nutrition, health or the development of other vital sectors of the national economy. A compulsory licence granted for reasons of non- or 
insufficient working or interdependence of patents is non-exclusive and not transferable. In the 
event of exploitation of a patented invention by Government in the public interest, adequate compensation must be provided unless importation takes place under the WTO's Decision on Compulsory Licensing or Article 31 bis of the TR IPS Agreement and the exporting country issues a 
compulsory licence for the same patented invention. No compulsory licences have been granted 
thus far. 
3.4.5.2.2  Industrial designs and utility models 
3.111.  The Industrial Property Act, 2012 provides protection for new industrial designs classified 
in accordance with the Locarno Agreement. The regi stered owner of a design has exclusive right of 
use, including in relation to imports of any article included in the class in which the design is 
registered. The registration in respect of a design expires 15 years after the application filing date. 
The Act allows for remedies in case of infringement of industrial designs. An industrial design granted by ARIPO by virtue of the Harare Protocol  has the same legal standing as a design granted 
under the Act, unless otherwise communicated by the Registrar to the contrary. A design which is 
the subject of an international registration under the Hague Agreement in which Namibia is 
designated is protected in Namibia as if it had been registered under the Act. There is no provision in the Act for compulsory licensing of industrial designs. In 2014, one industrial design application 
was received and registered. 
3.112.  The Act provides for the granting of utility model certificates to protect utility models which 
are new and industrially applicable. Model certificates are valid for seven years. No provision is 
made in the Act in case of infringement of utility models. The Act is not enforced and thus utility 
model certificates are not registered.  
3.4.5.2.3  Trademarks, collective and certification marks, and trade names 
3.113.  Under the Industrial Property Act, 2012, trademarks may cover both goods and services 
and be limited in whole or in part to a particular colour or colours. The registration of a trademark 
is valid for 10 years and is renewable for periods of 10 years thereafter provided the prescribed 
renewal fee is paid. Registration of a trademark confers exclusive rights. Acts of infringement 
brought before the Tribunal may result in interdiction, a removal order, or payment of damages or 
royalties. A trademark which has been registered by ARIPO under the Banjul Protocol in respect of which Namibia is a designated State is protected in Namibia as if it had been registered under the 
Act. The owner of a trademark which is entitled to protection as a well-known mark under the 
Paris Convention may restrain its use in Namibia even though it is not registered in Namibia.
29  
                                               
28 After the expiration of a period of four years from th e date of filing of the patent application or three 
years from the date of the granting of th e patent, whichever period expires last. 
29 This provision of the Act applies only from the date of entry into force of the Act or from the date on 
which the well-known trademark became entitled to protection under the Paris Convention in Namibia, 
whichever date is later. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  3.114.  Namibia does not have a sui generis  legal instrument for the protection of geographical 
indications. However, geographical names or other indications of geographical origin may be registered as certification or collective trademarks under the Act.  
3.115.  The authorities indicate that only one tr ademark was registered in 2014 due to a backlog 
in the examination process, observation of the two-month opposition period resulting from the 
publication of marks in the Government Gazette, and awaiting responses from clients on examination actions taken. The authorities indicate that they have had no reports of parallel 
imports. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  4  TRADE POLICIES BY SECTOR 
4.1  Agriculture 4.1.  Agriculture is Namibia's second largest primary industry after mining (Section 1). 
Approximately 48% of Namibia's rural households depend on subsistence agriculture. Over the 
period reviewed, the performance of the agricult ural sector was weaker than projected due to 
drought, weak links with available markets and high levels of competition with imported products. In the period 2007-12, total agricultural production declined by 2.3% on average annually.
1 
Agricultural production per capita declined by 3.7% on average annually between 2007 and 2012, 
compared to an increase of 2.4% over the preceding six years.2 Namibia continues to import more 
than 50% of the cereals and horticultural products consumed locally.  
4.2.  The Namibia Statistics Agency and the Mini stry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry are 
conducting an agricultural census of both communal and commercial areas, the first since 
1994/95.3  
4.3.  Namibia's agricultural production is presented in Table 4.1. Cattle, goats, sheep and pigs 
contribute over 75% of overall agricultural output value. Cereals such as flour maize and millet 
experienced a decline in production since 2008, particularly in 2013 due to drought conditions.  
Table 4.1 Namibia's agricu ltural production, 2008-13 
(Thousand tonnes, and % of world) 
Item Production ('000 tonnes) 2012 
share of 
world (%) 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 
Beer of barley 156.0 208.0 175.5 175.5 175.5 .. 0.09 
Milk, whole fresh 
cow 109.0 110.0 115.0 115.0 118.0 .. 0.02 
Maize 44.6 51.8 50.0 48.0 63.2 72.4 0.01 
Flour maize 113.7 122.5 125.3 67.3 77.3 .. 0.05 
Millet 35.5 37.3 73.3 41.2 55.9 24.7 0.19 
Live cattle (per 
head) 127,426 126,461 194,117 201,682 128,493 262,929 .. 
Meat production 42.1 41.2 44.4 42.6 38.2 45.5 0.08 
Flour wheat 43.2 22.0 30.7 39.3 39.3 .. 0.01 
Flour millet 30.1 33.5 30.8 45.0 25.3 .. 0.13 
Grapes 20.1 21.0 20.4 23.0 26.3 24.0 0.03 
Onions, dry 14.3 18.7 19.8 20.0 21.5 .. 0.03 
Fruit, fresh n.e.s. 19.0 11.8 19.0 20.0 21.0 .. 0.07 
Vegetables, fresh 
n.e.s. 17.5 17.0 18.0 18.5 20.0 .. 0.01 
Pulses n.e.s. 18.0 21.0 19.0 18.8 19.5 18.5 0.36 
Wheat 12.1 11.6 12.4 10.0 11.9 14.8 0.00 
Live sheep (per 
head) 63,010 85,946 111,165 67,282 85,477 217,246  
Sheep production 35.3 40.0 38.7 34.0 35.5 39.0  
Beverages, non-
alcoholic 13.6 13.6 13.6 13.6 13.6 .. 0.07 
Potatoes 8.6 12.1 12.5 13.0 13.5 13.0 0.00 
Bran wheat 13.2 6.8 9.4 12.1 12.1 .. 0.01 
Sugar refined 2.8 11.0 11.4 11.5 11.5 .. 0.01 
Dregs from 
brewing distillation 9.6 12.8 10.8 10.8 10.8 .. 0.05 
Tomatoes 8.7 8.1 8.5 7.8 8.2 .. 0.01 
Sorghum 4.4 4.7 5.0 4.9 7.7 7.0 0.01 
                                               
1 FAOSTAT. 
2 FAOSTAT. 
3 The results of the 2012 livestock census can be viewed at: 
http://www.nammic.com.na/index.php?option=com_jdownloads&Itemid=146&view=viewdownload&catid=2&cid=158. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
- 242 - 
 
  Item Production ('000 tonnes) 2012 
share of 
world (%) 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 
Meat, indigenous 
chicken 6.1 6.8 6.8 7.2 7.6 .. 0.01 
Bran maize 10.7 11.5 11.8 6.3 7.3 .. 0.04 
Goats (per head) 237,914 244,544 255,263 251,777 229,171 209,994 .. 
Cabbages and 
other brassicas 7.4 5.2 6.5 6.4 6.5 .. 0.01 
Meat game 5.7 5.7 6.4 6.4 6.4 .. 0.32 
Pigs (per head) 30,865 27,526 43,910 21,646 35,910 39,149 .. 
Watermelons 6.2 3.8 4.0 3.9 4.0 .. 0.00 
.. Not available. 
Note: Items are identified by the volume of production in 2012. 
Source: FAO Stat. Viewed at: http://faostat3.fao.org/faostat -gateway/go/to/browse/Q/*/E . Accessed on 
9 September 2014. Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB) Annual Report 2013-2014; Namibia Meat 
Board; Namibia Grape Growers Association. 
4.1.1  Land tenure 
4.4.  In Namibia, the agricultural sector is divided into a commercial farming subsector, where 
farms are privately owned, and a communal farming subsector, where farmers operate on land 
held under a communal tenure system. Crop production is concentrated in the northern regions of 
Namibia, which are semi-arid and whose soils have low fertility. There are initiatives to expand the geographic scope for plant-based agricultural production where water and other environmental conditions allow for such production, mainly along perennial rivers and large dams, thereby 
providing significant employment opportunities and other economic benefits. 
4.5.  Agricultural commercial land in Namibia is governed by the Agricultural (Commercial) Land 
Reform Act, 1995, which provides for the acquisition of agricultural land by the Government for 
land reform purposes and redistribution to Nami bians. The National Land Policy of 1998 recognizes 
various forms of land tenure and ascribes equal status under the law to several forms of land rights and several categories of land rights holders. The policy is based on a unitary land system 
which provides for equal rights and opportunities across a range of tenure systems, irrespective of 
where the land is located. One of the main obje ctives of the National Resettlement Policy, 2001 is 
access to land with secure tenure. The policy's other objectives are to redress past imbalances in the distribution of economic resources, especially  land and secure tenure; and offer Namibians an 
opportunity to reintegrate into society, the main  target groups being individuals with no land, 
income or livestock. Communal land is administered through the Communal Land Reform Act, 2002 which provides for the allocation of rights to communal land outside the boundaries of 
proclaimed towns. It establishes the communal land boards and regulates the powers of traditional 
authorities in relation to communal land.
4 
4.6.  The Flexible Land Tenure Act, 2012, aims to provide affordable tenure security for informal 
urban settlers. It aims to create alternative forms of land title of benefit to the urban poor that are 
simpler and cheaper to administer than existing forms of land title; to provide security of title for persons living in informal settlements or who are provided with low income housing; and to empower the persons concerned economically by means of these rights. In particular, the Act 
introduces two new types of tenure, the starter title and the land hold title, which are 
complementary to the existing freehold title. The Communal Land Reform Amendment Act, 2013 amending the Communal Land Reform Act, 2002, restricts foreign nationals from acquiring 
customary land rights or the right to leasehold in communal areas
5 and provides for the granting 
of occupational land rights in respect of portions of communal land to institutions providing public services. The Agricultural (Commercial) La nd Reform Amendment Act, 2013 amends the 
Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act, 1995 to provide for making regional governors 
members of Land Reform Advisory Commission committees. The Land Reform Act regulates the 
                                               
4 Matthaei and Mandimika (2014).  
5 Under the Act, customary land righ ts that may be allocated in respect of communal land are: a right to 
a farming unit; a right to a resident ial unit; and a right to any other fo rm of customary tenure that may be 
recognized and described by the Minister. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
- 243 - 
 
  acquisition of agricultural land by foreign nationals. No foreign national is allowed to acquire 
agricultural land without the prior consent of the Minister.  
4.1.2  Agricultural policy 4.7.  The agricultural sector is one of four st rategic sectors identified by the Government of 
Namibia in its fourth National Development Pl an (NDP4) 2012/13-2015/16 due to its growth and 
employment generation potential. The stated desi red outcome of NDP4 is average real growth in 
agriculture of 4% per annum over the plan's period. Food self-sufficiency and national food 
security remain key priorities. Strategies to be deployed to achieve the NDP4 outcome are: the 
continued promotion of the Green Scheme; initiatives to increase the land's carrying capacity for livestock; the establishment of agricultural fres h produce markets; and the establishment of other 
agricultural infrastructure such as silos (National Strategic Food Reserve Facilities) and research 
stations.
6 According to the NDP4, government interventions in the sector will continue to be 
substantial and will include allocations to agricult ure in the budget, tax concessions, and increasing 
exports of Namibian agricultural products, for example through assisting livestock farmers in 
communal areas in accessing markets. 
4.8.  The focus on agriculture under the NDP4 goes beyond production to include large-scale 
development of the agribusiness and agro-industrial sectors. The intention is to continue to 
improve financial and technical support to agricultural activities, including the provision of farming 
tools and implements; technical expertise and advice; seed and fertilizer; and agriculture-related infrastructure.  
4.9.  The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Fore stry (MAWF) is responsible for implementation of 
the NDP4 objectives in the agricultural sector. The last white paper on agricultural policy dating 
from 1995 is being amended. Although the focus is on food security, the policy is 
multi-dimensional and covers food processing, value addition, increasing food production and 
maximizing opportunities. 
4.10.  In October 2011, the MAWF formulated an  Agricultural Marketing and Trade Policy and 
Strategy with the aim of contributing to the achievement of the agricultural sector's objectives as 
reflected in Vision 2030 and NDP4. The main marketing objectives of the strategy include 
stimulating downstream agro-industries, improving competitiveness of the agricultural industries, increasing local products' share of the domestic market and increasing the contribution of agriculture to the national economy. 
4.11.  The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) is the official marketing board for controlled 
agricultural products (white maize, wheat and pearl millet or mahangu and their milled products, and fresh horticultural products). The board is funded by levies payable on the production and 
processing (milling) of controlled crops. Pearl millet (mahangu), wheat and white maize producers 
and millers pay a levy of 1.4% plus VAT on the selling price.  
4.12.  In February 2015, the MAWF announced increases in the general levies applicable to 
imports of pearl millet, wheat and white maize seeds (5% plus VAT on the landed cost, up from 
the 2012 rate of 0.95%). The general levies applicab le to horticultural products were increased as 
of December 2014. Producers, purchasers and sellers  of horticultural products pay a levy of 1.4% 
on the selling price (up from the 2002 rate of 1.2%), while importers pay a levy of 5% (up from 
1.2%). Levies on all such products are to be collected by the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency 
appointed by the Namibian Agronomic Board.  
4.13.  In order to expand and promote the commercialization of mahangu, a Mahangu Marketing 
Plan (MMP) was developed by NAB and the MAWF  and implemented as of 2010. The aim of the 
MMP is to increase surplus mahangu marketing by establishing marketing points closer to mahangu producers and to train farmers in business and production economics. A total of 
1,422 farmers have been trained in business and production economics since the MMP's inception. 
The mahangu producer floor price has been de-linked from that of white maize and is now based on the mahangu production input cost. In 2013, the mahangu producer floor price was N$3.50 per kg. 
                                               
6 Namibia's Fourth National Development Plan (2012), p. 18. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
- 244 - 
 
  4.14.  In 2011, the MAWF piloted a debushing pr ogramme aimed at restoring the environment, 
improving the condition of rangeland, and increasing the productivity of land for both crops and livestock. The programme has the potential to create jobs either directly, through combating bush encroachment, or indirectly, by increasing productive farmland. In the long run, the debushing 
programme has the potential to increase economic growth and rural economic development, using 
labour-intensive methods.  
4.15.  The Water Resources Management Act, 2013 which repeals the Water Act (No. 54 of 1956) 
provides for the management, protection, development, use and conservation of water resources. 
It also provides for the regulation and monitoring of water services. The Act establishes a Water Advisory Council to provide advice on water policy development and review; water resources management; and water abstraction and use. The Act establishes a water regulator responsible for 
setting tariffs for fees and charges that may be levied by water services providers, setting 
operational targets, and monitoring the performance of water services providers. Tariffs are to be 
determined by the water regulator on a full cost recovery basis. Under the terms of the Act, an 
Integrated Water Resources Management Plan is to be prepared . Part 16 of the Act makes 
provision for water service plans, conservation, demand management and the implementation of 
efficient water management practices. Regulations to implement the Act are currently under 
preparation.  
4.16.  Namibia's notifications to the WTO in 2010 indicate that no export subsidies in agriculture 
were maintained during the years 2002-09.
7 The authorities indicate that no export subsidies on 
agriculture were granted in the period 2010-14. Namibia reserved its right to use the special 
safeguard provision of Article 5 of the Agreemen t on Agriculture, but has indicated that such 
safeguards were not invoked during the period 2000-09.8 The authorities indicate that the special 
safeguard was not used during the period under review. Namibia has notified details of its 
domestic support commitments in agriculture for the financial years 2000/01 to 2009/10.9  
4.17.  Agricultural research is undertaken by the Directorate of Agricultural Research and Training 
within the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry. Efforts are focused on plant production 
research such as crop improvement, crop dive rsification and plant-soil nutrient management; 
vegetation surveys; support to indigenous plants products; and livestock research and 
development. Agricultural training, especially of emerging commercial, small-scale irrigation, resettled and communal farmers is an important part of the mandate of the Division of Agricultural 
Training. Other research bodies include the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia, the National 
Commission on Research Science and Technology, Gobabeb Research Centre, the University of Namibia and the Polytechnic of Namibia. In addi tion, Cabinet has approved the creation of a 
National Agricultural Research Institution (NARI), with the flexibility to offer competitive salaries 
and generate funding through its own activities. 
4.18.  Namibia does not currently have any seed la ws or seed certification schemes to regulate or 
direct activities and quality standards in the seed sector. The Namibia Seed Policy was finalized in 
2013. The policy addresses the challenges in the s eed industry in respect of research, imports, 
production and quality control, marketing, dist ribution and the building up of strategic seed 
reserves, as well as developing an institutional legal framework. 
4.19.  The tariff is the main policy instrument in the agriculture sector. The SACU common 
external tariff on products of agriculture, huntin g and fishing (ISIC Rev.2 category) averages 3.5% 
in 2015, and is predominantly ad valorem , ranging from zero to 35%. The average CET on fishing 
is 1.7%, ad valorem , ranging from 0% to 30%. Average tariffs on forestry and logging are 2.7%, 
ad valorem , and range from 0% to 25%.  
4.20.  The Directorate of Veterinary Services (D VS) and the Plant Health Division (PHD) are the 
authorities responsible for sanitary and phytosanitary measures.  
4.21.  In June 2014, Namibia signed a two-year US$1.5 million agreement with China and the FAO 
to boost agricultural production and tackle food and nutrition insecurity. The project aims to 
                                               
7 WTO document G/AG/N/NAM/16, 26 April 2010. 
8 WTO document G/AG/N/NAM/17, 26 April 2010. 
9 WTO documents G/AG/N/NAM18 and G/AG/N/NAM/19, 15 October 2010. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  improve rice development and increase yields of horticultural crops, as well as improve 
understanding and mutual exchange of veteri nary policies, regulations and standards. 
4.22.  Incentives available to agro-processing companies are shown in Table 4.10. 4.1.3  Key subsectors  
4.1.3.1  Livestock 
4.23.  Livestock farming contributes about 3% to the GDP of Namibia. The structure of the 
Namibian beef industry has remained largely unchanged during the period under review. 
Nonetheless the drought in 2013 contributed to a spike in live exports and a slight increase in 
slaughtering for domestic and regional markets. Government policy in the livestock sector is to increase livestock production, develop the livestock sector in the northern communal areas and increase value added to primary products.  
4.24.  A Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF) separates the northern communal areas from the south of 
the country. Due to the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) status of the northern region, cattle originating from these areas may not be marketed  in the FMD-free zone, south of the VCF. This 
restriction protects the access of beef produced in the FMD-free zone to export markets, 
particularly the EU and EFTA markets. Beef from  northern areas is marketed to limited export 
markets in SADC, with South Africa, Angola and the DRC as the current market destinations. 
4.25.  The production of cattle south of the VCF has declined while production in the north has 
increased over time based on census data provid ed by the Directorate of Veterinary Services 
between 1990 and 2006. The declining production in the south is compounded by various factors including changes in herd composition and shifts in production systems from slaughter cattle 
production to weaner production and steers. Diversification from livestock and cattle into game 
and tourism ventures has also impacted negatively on the production of cattle. Bush encroachment remains an increasing concern and limiting factor for available grazing and sustainable slaughter 
cattle farming.
10 
4.26.  In 2013, the livestock subsector contracted by 39.2% due to a serious drought. Namibia's 
total cattle herd amounts to approximately two million, of which more than 400,000 are marketed 
every year. 
4.27.  The Meat Board of Namibia, established under the Meat Industry Act (No. 12 of 1981) as 
amended, provides for control over the grading, sale, import and export of livestock, meat and 
meat products, and the levies on these items. The Board is funded by various levies on the import 
and export of livestock and livestock products (Section 3). Part of the levy is used to fund the 
Farm Assured Namibian Meat Scheme11 and for the provision of emergency veterinary services. 
The Meat Board also manages the carcass grading system, on the basis of which the price is set by 
local abattoirs. Meatco, a corporation established in 2001 with the purpose to serve, promote and 
coordinate the interests of livestock producers, plays the leading role in setting the domestic price for beef, using South African prices as the benchmark.
12 Meatco operates various slaughter 
facilities across Namibia and engages in related manufacturing and other production activities. 
4.28.  In November 2014 Namibia adopted new conditions for carcass classification and import and 
export standards. The carcass classification conditions are still based on South African regulations, and are a prerequisite to acquire a Meat Board export permit for the export of commercial 
consignments of meat. The new conditions for the import and export standards of meat will allow 
better control over substandard products that could have a negative impact on Namibia's domestic 
                                               
10 Meatco, Annual Report 2013 , page 45. 
11 The Farm Assured Namibian Meat Scheme managed by  the Meat Board is desi gned to allow Namibian 
producers to comply with the requirements of the EU and to put the necessary infrastructure in place to enable the Directorate of Veterinary Services to certify that minimum requirements have been met. The scheme combines existing legislation with good management practices and record keeping and an undertaking from all stakeholders in the meat industry to  ensure that the required standards are maintained. Participants include 
livestock producers, agents  and processing plants. 
12 Although listed as a State-Owned Enterprise under the State- owned Enterprises Governance Act 2006 
(No. 2 of 2006), the State has no shareholding or direct financial interest in Meatco. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  and foreign markets. Minimum standards for the import and export of meat for commercial 
purposes are expected to be implemented in 2015 and put into practice by the Meat Board.  
4.29.  As of November 2014, Namibia reinstated a 30% export levy on live slaughter-ready mature 
cattle weighing in excess of 450 kg. The authorities indicate that the export levy was reinstated as 
a drought relief measure to discourage exports of li ve cattle, thereby promoting value addition and 
employment creation locally and to ensure bene ficiation by developing downstream industries. 
Cabinet has approved an amendment of the existing  6:1 local slaughter/export ratio to a 1:1 ratio 
until the industry develops a long-term small stock marketing strategy to ensure value addition 
along the whole chain.  
4.30.  The Animal Health Act, 2011 provides for the prevention, detection and control of animal 
disease and the maintenance and improvement of animal health. In particular, it sets out details of 
permits required for the importation of animals, animal products and restricted material; health 
certificates required for export of animals, animal products and restricted material; provisions relating to disease prevention and control; animal movement control and traceability; and 
enforcement and compensation.  
4.31.  In 2009, Namibia adopted Animal Identifica tion Regulations to help the prevention, control 
and eradication of animal disease and parasites by implementing a livestock identification and 
traceability system with requirements that enable the origin, movements and fate of designated 
animals to be traced. These include on-farm double ear-tagging of cattle (one visual ear tag and one radio frequency identification device). The cost  of the ear tags is N$22 per animal for standard 
and N$25 for maxi ear tags. The regulations further stipulate that tagged cattle have to be 
individually registered in the Namibian Livestock Identification and Traceability System database. 
4.32.  Apart from the Livestock Marketing Incentive Scheme for the northern communal areas, no 
other subsidies were provided to the livestock sector. However, due to the severe drought of 2013 
that affected livestock producers, the Govern ment, through the National Drought Policy and 
Strategy of 1997, provided financial assistance to  farmers who marketed their livestock to cushion 
low prices at the abattoirs and to prevent livestock mortality due to drought. 
4.33.  In 2012, Namibia officially changed the br eed name of Namibian karakul sheep to swakara 
(an abbreviation for South West African karakul) . The fur of the swakara experienced a boom in 
recent years with average prices increasing over the last ten years by more than 400%, from N$135 per pelt in 2003 to N$650 per pelt in 2012. Since late 2013, however, prices have softened. 
Annual production of swakara is around 140,000 pelts.  
4.2  Crop Production 4.34.  Crop production in Namibia is highly suscept ible to external factors such as floods, droughts 
and damage caused by wildlife. Climate change pose s a significant threat to global food security, 
sustainable development and poverty eradication.  The authorities are aware of the need to 
address these challenges and take steps to make Namibian agriculture more resilient. Arable land 
in Namibia accounts for only about 1% of the total. Climatic and soil conditions are less suitable 
for agricultural production. 
4.35.  White maize is grown in Namibia under both rain-fed and irrigation conditions with irrigation 
farms yielding more than double the rain-fed yield on average. Local production of white maize 
accounted for 43% of net domestic consumption in FY 2012/13. In a summer rainfall country such 
as Namibia, wheat can only be planted under irrigation during the winter months after the maize harvest. Wheat imports increased from 61,665 tons in 2008 to 84,543 tons in 2012 while local 
production remained broadly similar over the period under review. Local production of wheat 
accounted for 15% of total domestic consumptio n in FY 2012/13. Production of mahangu in 
2012-13 was half that of the previous year (in conditions of drought and heatwave), while imports 
more than doubled. 
4.36.  The Government has constructed national strategic food reserve facilities to support the 
marketing of cereals. Grain silos are being built around the country to provide for the safekeeping 
of harvested grain. In 2013, NAB put aside N$6 mil lion to subsidize the construction of silos by 
registered millers. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  4.37.  Other crops produced in Namibia are yell ow maize, sorghum, groundnuts, sunflower beans, 
and lucerne. Fruit and vegetables, such as citruses, dates, grapes, cabbages, tomatoes, butternuts, onions and potatoes are also produced. Despite being one of the driest countries in the 
world, it is estimated that potentially about 50,000 ha of undeveloped land in Namibia could be 
irrigated from the perennial rivers that border the country and from underground water resources. 
Developing this land would increase horticultural production significantly.
13 
4.38.  The Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA), established under the MAWF in 2013 is 
responsible for managing fresh produce hubs and strategic grain reserves to encourage 
processing, marketing and value addition to fresh produce in the region. Agents are private sector 
operators and marketing is on a commission basi s. Under the scheme, wholesalers enter into 
long-term supply contracts with farmers. 
4.39.  In order to stimulate potato and onion production and to promote domestic sales of 
Namibian produce, the NAB introduced a Potato and Onion Scheme in 2014, whereby wholesalers, retailers and catering companies are encouraged to source their produce locally. According to the 
authorities, successful implementation of the Potato and Onion Scheme will lead to the 
identification and inclusion of other horticultural commodities. Cabbages, tomatoes, carrots, green peppers and sweet potatoes have been identified as potential commodities in this regard. 
4.40.  The Green Scheme Policy established in 2008 aims to increase the production of crops 
under irrigation and create a target area of approximately 27,000 hectares under irrigation over a period of 15 years, thereby increasing the contri bution of agriculture to the country's GDP. The 
recently established Agricultural Business Develo pment Agency (AGRIBUSDEV) is responsible for 
oversight of the Green Scheme. An audit of the Green Scheme Programme for financial years 
2008-12 found that while its objectives had been broadly achieved, a number of shortcomings with 
the programme were identified including non-compliance with contract obligations and lack of 
record keeping.
14 The formulation of specific strategies to achieve the irrigation target area were 
lacking and details of progress made in terms of the set target area could not be determined due 
to information deficiencies. 
4.3  Fishing and Aquaculture 
4.41.  Namibia's marine resources are found in one of the most productive fishing grounds in the 
world. This productivity results from the Benguella Current System, an eastern boundary current upwelling system, which supports rich populations of demersal and pelagic fish. Fisheries continue 
to provide an important contribution to Namibia's economy. Its contribution to real GDP has fallen 
over the period reviewed mainly due to poor catc hes and higher fuel and labour costs. However, 
despite the decline in landings, Namibia continues to export almost all its annual catch. Exports of 
fish and fish products accounted for N$7.1 billion in 2013, making revenue from fisheries the 
second most important earner of foreign exchange , after mining (Table 4.2). The export value in 
fish and fish products has decreased since 2008 due to fluctuations in fuel, product prices and 
exchange rates. Over 14,000 people ar e employed in the fisheries sector. 
Table 4.2 Value of fish and fish products, 2008-13 
(N$ million) 
Value 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 
Landed value 4,290 5,087 4,620 4,619 5,833 6,362 
Final value 5,084 4,789 4,889 5,334 8,433 9,329 
Export value 4,935 4,637 4,264 4,984 5,766 7,087 
% of total export of 
goods 14% 15% 14% 13% 13% 15% 
Source: Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. 
4.42.  Namibia's main export markets for fish are as follows: EU and South Africa (hake, monk, 
and tuna); DR Congo, Mozambique, Zambia, an d Zimbabwe (horse mackerel); Japan (rock 
                                               
13 FAO, Country Programming Framework for Namibia 2014-2018 , undated, Rome.  
14 Report of the Auditor-General on  a Performance Audit Study on th e Green Scheme Programme in the 
Mnistry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry for Financial Years 2009, 2010 and 2011, July 2013. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  lobster); China (crab); South Africa (pilchards); Spain, Japan and US (tuna, swordfish and shark); 
and Turkey, China and South Africa (seals). 
4.43.  The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Re sources (MFMR) manages capture fisheries (marine 
and freshwater/inland) and aquaculture (mariculture and freshwater). To date, inland capture 
fisheries and freshwater aquaculture are largely undeveloped and have primarily served as 
contributors to food security and income generation in rural households. Marine capture fisheries are an important pillar of the Namibian economy and produce fish mainly for export. While horse 
mackerel fishery has the largest landings by far, it generates less revenue than hake fishery which 
is exported to the EU and commands better prices. 
4.44.  The strategic objectives of the Ministry as laid out in its Strategic Plan (2009-14) include: 
increasing the contribution of the fishery sector to employment creation; improving the 
contribution of aquaculture to food security; reduci ng fisheries' dependence on traditional markets; 
and encouraging processing onshore in order to in crease value addition prior to export to boost 
employment in the sector. There are 25 approved fish processing facilities in Namibia. Fish 
landings of the main commercial species are shown in Table 4.3.  
Table 4.3 Fish landings (mai n commercial species, 2008-13) 
(Tonnes) 
Fish species 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 
Crab 2,100 1,468 2,007 2,285 2,795 3,084 
Hake 117,286 137,312 146,353 146,676 145,931 146,936 
Horse mackerel 186,996 215,051 217,094 198,666 286,934 308,121 
Kingklip 3,424 4,380 3,069 3,045 4,140 3,850 
Monk 7,270 6,922 9,028 7,243 10,763 9,471 
Pilchards 18,755 20,137 23,424 31,774 26,259 24,799 
Rock lobster 195 43 82 166 118 185 
Tuna 3,281 4,241 2,884 4,655 2,586 1,049 
Other fish species 12,973 15,791 16,791 43,975 34,388 27,976 
Total 352,280 405,525 420,732  438,485  513,914 521,621 
Source: Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. 
4.45.  The MFMR sets a total allowable catch (TAC ) annually for all major or commercial fisheries 
with the objective of managing resources sustaina bly and preventing overexploitation of Namibian 
fish stocks.15 Total allowable catch figures are shown in Table 4.4.  
Table 4.4 Total allowable catch, 2008-14 
(Tonnes) 
Fish species 2008 2009 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 
Hake 130,000 149,000 140,000 180,000 170,000 140,000 
Horse mackerel 230,000 230,000 247,000 310,000 350,000 350,000 
Monk 9,500 8,500 9,000 13,000 14,000 10,000 
Orange roughy 900 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
Pilchards 15,000 17,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 25,000 
Red crab 2,500 2,700 2,700 2,850 3,150 3,150 
Rock lobster 350 350 275 350 350 350 
Source: Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. 
4.46.  In order to encourage value addition, the MFMR introduced a requirement under the 2014 
quota allocation that 2% of the horse mackerel TAC be directed to the horse mackerel cannery.16 
According to the authorities, the processing of horse mackerel on land for export to regional 
                                               
15 Fishery scientists in the Ministry make suggesti ons for the TAC to a working group composed of 
economists and scientists. The working group then make s recommendations to the Marine Resources Advisory 
Council which includes various stakeholders.  The Advisory  Council's advice is then forwarded to the Minister 
for consideration and a decision an d to the Cabinet for endorsement. 
16 For 2015, the requirement has been increased from 2% to 5%. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  markets has increased, resulting in a growth in employment which is expected to continue. In 
2013, 15,000 tonnes were allocated for onshore processing to promote value addition and employment creation (in 2014, 26,000 tonnes were allocated, an increase of 73%). Apart from government intervention to encourage value addi tion through the 2% requirement and the quota 
allocated for processing, about 40,000 tonnes has been used for value addition through onshore 
processing. This has resulted in the development of new products such as onshore dried fish and canned horse mackerel, which has resulted in onshore job creation. 
4.47.  The production of fish from Namibia's inland fisheries sector is estimated to be 2,000 tonnes 
per annum in the Caprivi Region, 800-1,000 tonnes in the Okavango Region, 250 tonnes in the Cuvelai system and minimal amounts in the Orange  and Kunene Rivers. The types of fish species 
harvested in inland waters are tiger fish, bream and catfish. Namibia's fledgling aquaculture 
industry has experienced significant expansion over the past five years following support from the 
Government in the form of infrastructure development, the development of technology and aquaculture systems, research, training, seed provision and fish feed formulation and supply 
(Table 4.5).  
Table 4.5 Aquaculture production, 2010-14 
(Tonnes) 
 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 
Mariculture 485 525 436.6 491 706.3 
Freshwater aquaculture 60 154.2 61.8 111.3 36.7 
Source: Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. 
4.48.  The shellfish industry is predominantly private sector driven. Regulations for aquatic 
organisms have been formulated and gazetted in accordance with the Aquaculture Act (2002).17 
These regulations apply to the import, export and movements of aquatic animals, and to the 
control of disease and complement the quality control measures for fish and aquaculture products. 
4.49.  During 2012 a total number of 256 vessels were licensed to operate in the Namibian 
Exclusive Economic Zone, up from 199 in 2010. The increase in the fishing fleet was in the hake, 
horse mackerel, long line, and line fish fisheries. 
4.50.  Namibia participates together with Angola and South Africa in the Benguela Current 
Commission (BBC), a multi-sectoral initiative to promote integrated management, sustainable 
development and protection of the environment within the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region. The BCLME spans some 30 degrees of latitude, extending from Angola's Cabinda Province in the north, to just east of Port Elizabeth in South Africa. It is one of 
the richest marine ecosystems on earth and supports an abundance of life. The organization 
focuses, inter alia , on the management of shared fish stocks, environmental monitoring and early 
warning of extreme oceanographic events, biodiv ersity and ecosystem health, pollution, and 
mitigation of the impacts of marine diamond mi ning and oil and gas production. In March 2013, 
Angola, Namibia and South Africa signed the Beng uela Current Convention. The treaty will come 
into force once it is ratified by the parties. The treaty sets out the countries' intention "to promote 
a coordinated regional approach to the long-term conservation, protection, rehabilitation, 
enhancement and sustainable use of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem, to provide economic, environmental and social benefits." 
4.51.  Namibia is a member of various other regional fishery management organizations such as 
the South East Atlantic Fisheries Organization (SEAFO), the International Commission for the 
Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of 
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  
4.52.  Fishery legislation in Namibia is unchanged since the last TPR report. The MFMR is in the 
process of reviewing and updating policies, the Marine Resources Act and its regulations, as well as 
the Inland Fisheries Act and Regulation.  
                                               
17 Gazette number 4453 of 9 April 2010. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  4.53.  The Ministry is at an advanced stage of  developing the Shellfish Sanitation Regulations 
aimed at ensuring food safety during the produc tion, harvesting and transportation of shellfish 
intended for human consumption and to enable the aquaculture industry to export shellfish products to the EU. It is expected that the regulations will be finalized during the first quarter of 
the 2014/15 financial year.  
4.54.  Namibian exporters comply with SPS standa rds in their main markets. Since the bulk of 
horse mackerel is exported to Mozambique, the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point System 
(HACCP) is being strengthened to co mply with standards requirements. 
4.55.  A Hake Management Plan 2014-18 has been implemented. It provides strategies for the 
management of hake fishery and outlines goals and objectives. A Horse Mackerel Management Plan, developed in collaboration with the Angolan government and with the assistance of African, 
Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group countries, is operational. MFMR is also aiming to develop a 
Management Plan for pilchards in order to enhance the management goals set for the recovery of the stock. 
4.56.  Quota fees, by-catch fees, fund levies and conversion factors for landed processed fish to 
live fish equivalents are available on the website of  the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. 
Quota fees are lowest for Namibian vessels
18, higher for Namibian-based vessels19, and highest for 
foreign-based vessels. Quota fees are structured to encourage Namibian registration and 
ownership of fishing vessels and to promote onshore processing. Fees range from N$40 per metric ton (for horse mackerel allocated to Namibian vessels) to N$14,000 (for rock lobster allocated to foreign flagged vessels). Licence fees apply to all fishing vessels; the fees range from N$20 to 
N$1,000 (for vessels with a tonnage of 9,000 tons and above). By-catch fees calculated to 
discourage excessive by-catch and payable on non-targeted species are unchanged since the last TPR report. Quota fees amounted to N$59 million  in 2008 and increased to N$110 million  in 
2012/13. Fund levies, whose purpose is to defray research activities and training for Ministry staff 
members, are about ten times lower than quota fees and have not changed since the last TPR report (Table 4.6). According to the authorities, the decline in revenue in the last two fishing 
seasons was due to variation in the TAC. 
Table 4.6 Revenue from the marine fishing industry, 2008-14 
(N$ million) 
Fee 2008 2009 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 
Quota fees 59,255 68,800 78,500 120,947 109,926 102,872 
Marine Resources Fund 
Levy 12,075 18,733 19,228 14,497 16,424 15,794 
By-catch fees 10,360 8,410 15,972 6,964 6,024 8,411 
Licence fees 86 86 82 79 131 130 
Total Revenue 81,776 96,029 113,782 142,487 132,505 127,207 
Source: Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. 
4.57.  The duration of a fishing right is determined  by criteria contained in the guidelines for the 
granting of rights and the allocati on of fishing quotas. The criteria  are based on the percentage of 
Namibian ownership of fishing vessels or onshore processing facilities; employment depends on the extent to which catches are processed domestically. In 2010, the Ministry called for the application of new fishing rights to harvest in all commercial fisheries. The number of fishing rights 
has increased from 158 in 2009 to 338 in 2014.  
4.58.  The fishery observer levy, payable by rights holders engaging in fishing activities, benefits 
the Fisheries Observer Agency, which is responsible for monitoring fishing activities while fleets are 
                                               
18 Registered in Namibia with at least 51% beneficial ownership and at least 90% Namibian crew 
(recently increased from 80%). 
19 Namibian registered but not domestically majo rity-owned and with a crew of less than 90% 
Namibians. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  at sea. As of September 2014, the levy is set at 0.9%  of landed value of each catch and per 
species.20  
4.59.  Concerns have been raised over the impact  of oil exploration and mining activities at sea 
and losses over the past few years as a result of sub-sea seismic tests within fishing grounds, with 
the tuna, sardine and pilchard sectors among the most heavily affected. According to the 
authorities, this situation is still under discussion and investigation especially in the large pelagic subsector. In addition, a moratorium on phosphate has been put in place until further discussion. 
4.60.  A recent study reviewing the nature and outcomes of policies, incentives and management 
procedures in the Namibian hake industry from in dependence to the present argues that although 
based on individual quotas, Namibia's management procedures have conflicted with the State's commitment to efficiency. Its "Namibianization" policy and its attempt to increase domestic control 
of the hake industry both increased fishing effo rt and depressed hake stocks below economically 
optimal levels. Despite current over-capacity, the government continues to reward new investments. Industry inefficiency has been further compounded by inconsistent rights allocation 
policies and the fragmentation of quota shares, which have reduced right holders' sense of 
stewardship over the resource.
21  
4.61.  According to the authorities, Namibia's ma nagement procedures do not conflict with the 
State's commitment to efficiency as the Ministry is committed to observing the principles of 
optimum sustainable yield in the exploration of ma rine resources. Namibia's management style is 
a model to many countries, attested by the Ministry being awarded for best practices by the FAO and other institutions. The Government is obliged to promote and regulate responsible and 
sustainable development and management of all harvesting activities that target marine resources. 
4.4  Forestry 4.62.  Namibia had a forest area of around 7.3 million ha in 2010 (down from 7.7 million ha in 
2005), 8.9% of its total land area; it had about 8.3 million ha of other wooded land (8.5 million ha 
in 2005). Namibia's forests contain 210 million metric tons of carbon in living forest biomass (221 million metric tons in 2005). Namibia has some 1,066 known species of amphibians, birds, 
mammals and reptiles, of which 4.5% are endemic and 3.1% are threatened.
22 
4.63.  The MAWF has developed a Forest Research Strategy for Namibia (2011–15)  to address 
issues associated with sustainable forest management (SFM), chiefly the key drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, and core SFM issues such as natural and artificial 
regeneration (tree planting) of commercially exploite d species. Linked to these is also the issue of 
value addition to forest products, which are currently performing below their potential.
23 The 
strategy document has identified seven strategic forest research areas: a vegetation (forest and 
rangeland) monitoring programme; forest products (value added) research; ecological studies; 
growth and yield studies; silvicultural research; economic, policy and sociological research; and management of information. 
4.64.  The Government has, through the MAWF, intr oduced a new policy direction to promote bush 
utilization, tree planting, commercialization of va rious forest products, and orchard development. 
Despite the environmental limitations of a dry coun try such as Namibia, the policy direction gives 
scope for research to improve the management of trees, woodlots and forests and to add value to 
already known products and bring new products to market.  
4.65.  Namibia exploits its forestry for a variety of uses. Charcoal is produced from aqueous 
species (bush-encroachment), primarily for export to the EU. Fire blocks from crushed bush are 
used for electricity production; 6% of the energy of Namibia's cement production is sourced from 
these bushes. The roots of the mopane tree that grows in north-western Namibia are used in fishing and construction and exported to the Am ericas, Japan and the EU. In addition, woodlands 
harbour fruit and nut bearing tree species of growing commercial importance such as marula, bird 
                                               
20 Previously the observer levy was based on the cate gory of the fisheries observer onboard the fishing 
vessel. 
21 Kirchner and Leiman (2014). 
22 Mongabay online information, "Namibia". 
23 Ministry of Agriculture,  Water and Forestry, 2011. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  plum, and monkey orange. A number of medicinal plants such as devil's claw are found in 
woodlands and in the adjoining open savannah and desert environments.  
4.66.  In December 2014, tariffs on the export of wood products from Namibia were drastically 
increased. The tariff for processed wood increased from N$120 to N$300 per 30 ton load (last 
reviewed four years prior), while that for unprocessed wood products increased from N$120 to 
N$900. The Directorate's strategy behind this increase is to discourage exports of raw unprocessed wood products and to encourage value addition  and employment creation. Charcoal and braai 
wood, cut and packed before export, are no longer  considered raw products and thus qualify for 
the lower export tariff.
24  
4.5  Mining and Energy 4.5.1  Mining 
4.67.  Mining and quarrying accounts for about 13%  of GDP at current prices and provides about 
14,000 jobs. Ores and minerals account for about 35% of Namibia's exports of goods and services and a third of fixed capital formation. Diamonds, fluorspar and uranium are the most significant 
mineral commodities to Namibia's economy (Table 4.7). Namibia is among the world's top ten 
diamond producers. Diamonds accounted for a decl ining share (around 50%) of the total value of 
mineral exports during the period under review . In 2013, diamonds accounted for 21% of total 
merchandise exports. Production of uranium also  experienced a decline, following the global 
economic crisis and the move away from nuclear energy in European countries following the tsunami in Japan, but picked up again in 2013. Namibia has the capacity to provide 10% of the world's current uranium needs. 
Table 4.7 Production of se lected minerals, 2008-13 
Mineral 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 
Copper blister (tonnes) 16,271 0 0 0 0 0 
Copper concentrate (tonnes) 37,956 0 0 15,465 24,982 20,645 
Diamonds ('000 carats) 2,225 940 1,476 1,345 1,666 1,776 
Gold blister (kg) 7,714 0 0 0 0 0 
Gold bullion (kg) 2,126 2,057 2,683 2,063 2,287 1,970 
Lead concentrate (tonnes) 20,157 20,258 19,202 15,515 17,557 21,409 
Lead metal content (tonnes) 10,079 10,129 10,140 0 9,530 11,224 
Silver blister (kg) 1,215 0 0 0 0 0 
Uranium (tonnes) 5,104 5,600 5,473 4,010 4,470 5,158 
Zinc concentrate (tonnes) 94,570 93,953 101,040 89,488 94,303 113,778 
Zinc metal content (tonnes) 47,939 48,856 53,624 46,534 50,143 60,111 
Fluorspar acid (tonnes) 118,766 80,857 104,494 90,843 74,157 65,259 
Source: Ministry of Mines and Energy. 
4.68.  The Ministry of Mines an d Energy (MME) is responsible for the running of the sector. In 
accordance with the Minerals (Prospecting and Mini ng) Act (No. 33 of 1992), all mineral rights are 
vested in the State. The Act is currently under review to align it with the Environmental M a n a g e m e n t  A c t .  I t  i s  e x p e c t e d  t h a t  t h e  r e v i e w  w i l l  m a k e  p r o v i s i o n s  f o r  t h e  M i n i s t e r  t o  i s s u e  
regulations, simplify the language used in the Act, cater for new developments in the mining 
sector and make provision for Epangelo Mining Company (the State mining company) as a player in the industry. Regulations will be developed follo wing the promulgation of the bill into law.  
4.69.  MME's Strategic Plan 2012/13 to 2016/17 includes initiatives to amend the mining 
regulatory framework, promulgate the Earth Sc ience Professions Bill and amend the diamond 
legislative framework. Other strategic targets include creating a conducive investment climate, educating communities with regard to geo- environment, mining and energy, promoting 
beneficiation of minerals and increasing the participation of Namibians in the mining sector. 
4.70.  The Environmental Management Act (No. 7 of 2007) came into force in February 2012. The 
Act sets the standard for sustainable environmental practices by all companies and individuals 
operating within the country. Under the Act, the Minister of Environment and Tourism may specify 
                                               
24 New Era online information. Viewed at: http://www.newera.com.na/2015/02/10/wood-products-
export-tariffs-increased/ . WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  that certain activities may not be conducted without an environmental clearance certificate. Mining 
and quarrying activities (including the refining of gas, oil and petroleum products and nuclear 
reaction, mining or extraction of natural resources) all require a certificate.25 In case of failure to 
comply, offenders may be liable to a maximum fi ne of N$500,000, imprisonment for a maximum 
period of 25 years or both. 
4.71.  The Mineral Rights and Resources Developmen t Division in the Directorate of Mines of the 
MME handles applications for, and allocation of mineral rights in Namibia. In 2008, the Epangelo 
Mining Company (Pty) Ltd. was established. Epangelo is a parastatal26 mandated to assist the 
State in sectoral planning, coordination, supervision and overall implementation of mining policy, and to ensure national participation in the disco very, exploitation, and beneficiation of Namibia's 
mineral resources, ensure the creation of mining related employment opportunities for Namibians, 
and facilitate technical training in mineral related fields.  
4.72.  As of April 2011, all rights in respect of  strategic minerals are vested in Epangelo. The 
decision was motivated by a Government belief that although the mining sector contributes 
significantly to the Namibian economy, government revenue derived from the sector is 
disproportionate to its share of GDP. Minerals affe cted by this decision are uranium, gold, copper, 
and coal. As of April 2015, the cabinet decision was not yet law. Epangelo is granted the right to 
own all new licences issued for the purpose of exploration and mining of these strategic minerals 
and may enter into joint ventures (JVs), strategic partnerships, and public-private partnerships. The renewal of existing exploration and mining li cences is still allowed, conditional on whether a 
degree of development and progress has taken place. According to a recent study, Epangelo has 
been given minimal funding – initially N$5 million a year rising to over N$11 million in the 2013/14 
budget, indicating that it expected to be given "free carry" interest in any exploration or mine 
development project. Epangelo is reported to  be seeking between 10 and 20% free carry, while 
also wishing to raise capital for further investment. It is not clear how Epangelo will raise this 
further capital.
27 
4.73.  As of December 2014, Epangelo had acquired 39 exclusive prospecting licences (EPLs) in 
8 regions of Namibia. Joint ventures operate on the so-called earn-in framework whereby Epangelo 
initially owns 100% of prospects, with the partners able to increase their holdings over time, once certain pre-agreed milestones have been met. Epangelo maintains a residual stake in the fully operational mining company. Partnerships and projects thus far include the Kalahari copper belt 
and Tsumeb EPLs. Epangelo has concluded MOUs with Angola's Ferrangol for development 
cooperation in the prospecting and mining of certain minerals in Namibia and Angola, and with China's Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology in Mineral Resources to ensure sustainability in the 
field of mining, and to identify opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation and investment 
flows.  
4.74.  Namibia produces the world's highest quality diamonds from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. 
Its marine diamonds sell for N$450 to N$700 per carat, at least triple the price of gems from 
neighbouring Botswana and as much as 14 times those from Zimbabwe. In 2012 Namibia was the world's 9
th largest producer of diamonds: based on carat value Namibia ranked second. 
4.75.  In 2011, Namdeb  Diamond Corporation (Namdeb) was restructured into Namdeb Holdings, 
a 50:50 joint venture with De Beers. Namdeb Holdings now holds all the mining licences previously 
held by Namdeb Diamond Corporation as well as 100% of the share capital of Namdeb Diamond Corporation (Namdeb) and Debmarine Namibia (DBMN). The Government would like to set up a 
company to sell part of the diamonds separately from De Beers, thus emulating the regional 
diamond operation in Botswana.
28 The implementation of this pr oject depends on the outcome of 
the review of the sales and marketing agreemen t between the Government and De Beers which 
was extended to June 2015. Only 10% of diamonds mined in Namibia are cut and polished 
domestically, which may change depending on the outcome of the aforementioned review. 
                                               
25 Gazette number 4878 of 6 February 2012. 
26 The Republic of Namibia is the sole shareholder in the company. 
27 Institute for Public Policy Research (2013).  
28 In 2013, the Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTC), a 50/50 partnership created between De 
Beers and the Government of Botswana relocated th e De Beers' London-based rough diamond sales to 
Gaborone. The DTC currently controls 43%  of global production by value.  WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  Namibia has 19 diamond cutting and polishing fact ories, of which 11 are Namibia Diamond Trading 
Company right holders.  
4.76.  There are no export taxes on minerals from Namibia, including diamonds. All cutting and 
polishing factories enjoy EPZ status and thus are exempted from any form of tax. However, all 
exports and sales of minerals are subject to different royalty rates depending on their mineral 
category. In addition, non-Namibian companies are subject to withholding tax of 25%. Namibia has no policy in place to encourage local value addition before export; however, the Government 
has made efforts under NDP4 to investigate the possibilities and opportunities for adding value to 
minerals locally. 
4.77.  According to the World Nuclear Organization, Namibia holds the 8
th largest known 
recoverable resources of uranium at 261,000 tonnes which represents around 5% of global 
resources (2011 figures). Namibia has two signific ant uranium mines capable of providing 10% of 
world mining output. Its first commercial uranium mine began operating in 1976. There is strong government support for expanding uranium mining and some interest in using nuclear power.  
4.78.  Following the 2009 amendment of the Minerals Act, royalties levied on market value are set 
at 3% on precious metals; 3% on base and rare metals; 2% on semi-precious stones; 3% on nuclear fuel materials
29; 2% on industrial minerals; and 2% on non-nuclear fuel minerals. 
Royalties on diamond production are 10% on rough and uncut stones and 5% on unprocessed 
"dimension" stones. 
4.79.  A study on the beneficiation possibilities fo r Namibia's minerals jointly commissioned by the 
MITSD and the MME (still in draft form) highlights the potential for beneficiation of seven 
commodities: zinc, diamonds, iron ore/ steel, copper, gold, lead and uranium.  In general, the 
report indicates that while Namibia has significant opportunities to further beneficiate domestic supply of minerals, the current and medium term domestic supply of most commodities is not big 
enough, unless additional volumes are imported, to warrant construction of capital and 
energy/water intensive facilities, with the possible exception of iron ore pellets, refined zinc and 
cut highest quality diamonds.
30 
4.80.  The SACU common external tariff on mining and quarrying (ISIC Rev.2 category) averages 
0.1% in 2015, and is predominantly ad valorem , ranging from zero to 10%. 
4.5.2  Energy 4.81.  Namibia has 2.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, making it the 60
th largest global 
source but has no petroleum reserves.31 Namibia continues to rely on imports for much of its 
energy needs. More than two thirds of electric ity and all of Namibia's petroleum are imported. 
Namibia has great potential in renewables given its supply of wind, solar and biomass resources.  
4.5.2.1  Petroleum and gas 
4.82.  Although petroleum has not been discovered in commercial quantities to date, the off-shore 
discovery of oil in non-commercially viable quantities in 2013 raised hopes of Namibia becoming a 
new frontier in oil exploration.  
4.83.  Under the Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Act of 1991, Namcor (Pty) Ltd. has the 
right to carry out reconnaissance, exploration and production operations either on its own or in partnership with other organizations in the industry. Namcor's main business is to ensure the 
optimum exploitation of Namibia's petroleum reso urces and meaningful Namibian participation in 
resulting business developments in petroleum relate d exploration activities. The company also acts 
as advisor to the Ministry of Mines and Energy and assists it in monitoring the exploration activities 
of licensees. In the marketing and distribution sector s, Namcor participates in fuel tenders in line 
                                               
29 Set at 6% for Rössing Uranium until 2013, then reduced to 3%. 
30 Beneficiation Possibilities for Namibia's Minerals for Joint Value Addition Committee, Raw Materials 
Group, part of SNL Metals & Mining, Final Draft, 31 July 2014. 
31 US Energy Information Ad ministration. Viewed at: http://www.eia.gov/ countries/country-
data.cfm?fips=wa . WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  with its new strategy of building an integrated oil company that will compete on an equal footing 
with other industry players.  
4.84.  Licences specifically dealing with oil and gas are provided for under the Petroleum 
(Exploration and Production) Act No. 15. Ther e are three types of licence: reconnaissance, 
exploration and production. To date, 46 exploratio n licences, one production licence, and two coal 
bed methane licences have been issued to Namibian and international oil companies. Namibia has amended its policy to permit Namcor to participate in licences if this is offered to the company 
during negotiations and if Namcor accepts the invitation to participate. As of October 2014 Namcor 
had 38 minority stakes of mainly 10% in oil and gas exploration licences. A total of 18 wells have 
been drilled offshore in Namibia, of which eight under the Kudu Licence. Over 20 companies are actively engaged in the petroleum exploration industry in Namibia.  
4.85.  Namibia has an open licensing system whic h replaced the previous bidding system, but may 
revert to auctioning oil and gas exploration blocks because it will give the Government better terms than the existing open licensing system.  
4.86.  The Regulations published in accordance with the Environmental Management Act (No. 7 of 
2007) list activities that require an environmental clearance certificate. These include the construction of facilities for the refining of oil, gas and petroleum products, any resource 
extraction, storage and handling of petrol, diesel and liquid petroleum, and construction of facilities 
for such storage and the construction of oil pipelines. All persons undertaking a listed activity in terms of an authorization issued before the commencement of the Act may continue with that activity for one year. Beyond that, a new clearance certificate must be applied for. Fees payable 
are as follows: issuance of an environmental clearance certificate (N$300); amendment of an 
environmental clearance certificate (N$300); application for transfer of environmental clearance certificate (N$1,000); appeal application (N$1,000).
32 
4.87.  Namcor together with its upstream partner CIECO E&P (Namibia) Co. Ltd. is developing the 
upstream (offshore) portion of the Kudu Gas Fiel d located 130 km offshore from the south-west 
coast of Namibia, in the Orange Basin. The gas will be used to generate electricity from the Kudu 
800-MW CCGT Power Station to be constructed and run by NamPower (Pty) Ltd. and its partners. 
In 2011, the MME awarded the Kudu Gas Field partners  a 25-year production licence. Ownership of 
the licence changed following Tullow Oil's withdrawal and is now as follows: CIECO Exploration and Production (Namibia), 15% and Namcor, 85%, wi th the latter as operator of the licence.
 For the 
first time in 2011, Namcor received significant benefits, in the form of signature bonuses and 
comprehensive training as part of farming out agreements between itself and investors in Namcor Luderitz Basin blocks during that time .  
4.88.  The transportation, storage, marketing and distribution of petroleum products (petrol and 
diesel) are controlled by the Government through the following legislation: the Petroleum Products and Energy Act, 1990 (Act No. 13 of 1990) and the Petroleum Products Regulations, 2000. The 
Ministry of Mines and Energy regulates the petroleu m industry while Namcor acts as an operational 
arm of the Government in the market.  
4.89.  In 1999, Namcor was mandated by the Government to import 50% of Namibia's petroleum 
leaving the other 50% for private companies. In 2009, Namcor's operational losses reached 
N$257 million, prompting the Government to award it a N$100 million grant and a bailout package 
of N$260 million (0.5% of GDP) as well as a portion (N$0.08 per litre) of the existing fuel levy to help boost the state-owned oil corporation's finances. In 2011, Namcor's mandate to import 50% 
of Namibia's petroleum was revoked.
33 Currently, all imports of petroleum products are done by 
four private companies.34 Namcor is supplied by some of these companies. 
4.90.  Five companies are involved in the distribution and marketing of petroleum products: Puma 
Energy, Engen, Vivo Energy, Total, and Namcor . Puma Energy, Engen and Total each own bulk 
storage facilities at Walvis Bay while Vivo Energy and Namcor are hosted by Puma Energy. Namcor has an equity stake in three inland storage depots
35 and the Government is currently constructing 
                                               
32 The Regulations contain copies of sample application forms. 
33 IMF (2013). 
34 Currently Namcor is only a participant in the wholesale and commercial lines of business. 
35 In Otjiwarongo, Keetmanshoop and Mariental. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  a new N$4 billion storage facility with a capacity of 75 million litres, including the off-loading jetty 
and transfer pipelines. Once completed in 2017, this  facility would double current storage capacity 
from 14 to 45 days.  
4.91.  The most economical means of transporting petroleum products to Namibia is via ship, with 
Walvis Bay as the port of importation. From the co ast, the product is transported inland to eleven 
depot towns via rail by Trans Namib, the sole operator of the rail network. The Government subsidises transport costs to remote areas. Over the past few years increasing volumes of 
petroleum products have been transported via road due to a decline in the reliability of services 
offered by Trans Namib. Road transport operator s are obliged to have a dangerous goods licence 
in order to transport petroleum products due to their hazardous nature.  
4.92.  Under the Petroleum Products and Energy Act (No. 13 of 1990) and subsequent 
amendments, the MME regulates petrol and diesel prices, and sets retail prices of petroleum and 
wholesale prices of diesel by location once a mont h. The prices of other petroleum products are set 
by market forces. The National Energy Fund subsidiz es fuel supply to remote  areas, and in addition 
has been used to subsidize regulate d fuel prices from time to time. 
4.93.  Overall, while fuel prices have generally moved in line with international oil prices, the 
Government has from time to time accommodated pressures to limit the full pass-through of 
changes in international prices.  Although imports of petrol and diesel are duty free, various taxes 
are applied. A fuel levy of N$0.10 (both types of diesel) and N$0.12 (petrol) per litre is used to fund the Road Administration Fund. A carbon emission levy is currently under discussion.  
4.5.2.2  Electricity 
4.94.  Under the Electricity Act of 2007, NamPower, the state-owned utility company is responsible 
for generation, transmission, and trade in electricity. NamPower's energy policy goal is to supply 100% of peak demand for electricity (and 75% of total demand) from local sources of power 
generation. Namibia currently imports over 60% of its electricity needs. NamPower owns five 
generating assets with a total capacity of 504 MW. These consist of one hydropower plant 
(Ruacana with a capacity of 338 MW), two liquid fuel plants (Paratus and newly built Anixas with a 
capacity of 24 MW and 22 MW, respectively) and one coal fired plant (Van Eck with a potential 
capacity of 120 MW).
36 In addition to these, a small pilot plant (250 kW) utilising a widely available 
domestic biomass fuel, invader bush, is located about 200 km north of the capital. An independent power producer (IPP) solar photo voltaic plant of 4.5MW was scheduled to be commissioned in 
May 2015.  
4.95.  Peak demand for electricity reached 629 MW in 2014 and is growing annually by around 
6%. The interconnector capacity currently stands at 900 MW, consisting of a 600 MW connection 
to the South African system and the 300 MW Capriv i Link in the northeast linking the Namibian 
system to the Zambian grid, with an option for a 300 MW increase in capacity when Phase 2 of the 
project is completed.  
4.96.  Demand for electricity continues to outstrip supply, a situation expected to prevail until the 
commissioning of the 884 MW Kudu combined cycle gas turbine station, expected in 2018. NamPower anticipates that the power station, whic h will cost approximately US$1.2 billion to build, 
will enable Namibia to become a net exporter. Construction was scheduled to begin at the end of 
2014. The Baynes Hydro Power Project, a joint project between Namibia and Angola is awaiting 
finalization. A techno-economical study has been completed and the project was found to be viable. Environmental impact assessment studies are nearly completed pending negotiations with 
directly affected communities surrounding the project area. Another study in the pipeline is the 
associated infrastructure study that will focus on assessing transmission lines, access roads, power lines, airports and telecommunications. Project offices are to be established in both countries. 
Namibia has already approved the project office to be hosted by Nampower. The project will 
contribute an additional 600 MW to be shared with Angola on a 50:50 basis. Other major transmission projects in the works include the US$225 million Zizabona transmission project, a 
high-voltage transmission facility in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia to establish a 
western transmission corridor in Southern Africa . Zizabona is aimed to be completed by end-2018 
                                               
36 Current capacity of the Van Eck plant is ab out 50 MW. The plant is currently undergoing 
refurbishment, scheduled for completion in 2014, after which a capacity of at least 90 MW is guaranteed. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  and the initial transfer capacity is intended to be 300 MW, with a potential increase to 600 MW in 
the future. 
4.97.  The Electricity Act 2007 (No. 4 of 2007) establishes the regulatory framework for the power 
sector which is implemented by the Electricity Control Board (ECB). The ECB regulates the 
electricity sector and has the mandate to exercise control over electricity generation, transmission, 
distribution, supply, import and export by setting tariffs and issuing licences. The Minister of Mines 
and Energy has the power to grant or refuse applications for generation licences on the 
recommendation of the ECB, which, once approved , are issued by the ECB. Power generators are 
required to obtain a generation licence before being able to make available power capacity and/or generate electricity in Namibia. The procedure for applying for a generation licence is set out in the Act and Electricity Regulations. Licences must be obtained prior to the commencement of 
construction and prior to signature of a power purchasing agreement. 
4.98.  NamPower owns and operates the transmissi on system and also has distribution customers. 
Regional electricity distributors (REDs) and local authorities also distribute power to consumers not 
served by NamPower. Three REDs are operatio nal: NORED, CENORED and Erongo RED. Local 
authorities and Nampower receive shares in the relevant RED in return for contributing their distribution assets to the RED. Although NamP ower acts as the bulk purchaser of power, a 
modified single buyer model permits small power producers (less than 5 MW) to sell power directly 
to REDs. Once the restructuring of the electricity sector is complete, NamPower will act as a power generator, alongside IPPs and interconnected genera tors, and will have a monopoly over electricity 
transmission and system operations activities.
37 
4.99.  Industry consumes about 60% of electricity while about 20% is consumed in the residential 
sector and 15% in the public and commercial sect or. The average price per unit of electricity sold 
by NamPower has risen from N$0.42 per kWh in 2007/08, to N$0.90 per kWh in 2012/13 and is 
expected to increase to about N$1.60/kWh in 2016/17. In 2013, the MME introduced a long run 
marginal cost (LRMC) levy to avoid future pric e shocks to the Namibian consumer. In 2014, the 
LRMC levy was N2.54 cents/kWh (2013: N1.46 cents/kWh). In November 2014, the MME 
announced the introduction of a levy on electricity transmission supplied by NamPower of 
N1.02 cents per kWh which will be used  to fund the National Energy Fund. 
4.100.  The price at which electricity is sold by I PPs in Namibia is subject to the approval of the 
ECB. Apart from generators participating in the REFIT Programme, no single tariff is applicable to 
all generators. The ECB operates a cost-reflective tariff structure that is passed on to consumers. 
Once approved by the ECB, the tariff becomes applicable on the licensee and its customers. 
Requests for tariff adjustments are dealt with on an annual basis in accordance with the ECB Tariff 
Methodology. 
4.101.  Namibia's Generation and Transmission Master Plan 2012, known as the National 
Integrated Resource Plan (NIRP) was launched in October 2012 with the objective of mapping out 
transmission infrastructure requirements up to 2032. A number of major transmission projects for 
the period 2013-18 have been identified. Meanwhile, upgrading backbone transmission 
infrastructure from a 200 KV system to a 400 KV system will increase expenditure on capital 
infrastructure. Namibia is in the process of upgrading the national power grid to "smart grid" 
status which would allow it to be utilized for diverse functions such as information sharing, 
automated decision-making based on real-time information, self-restoration, faster reaction, and smarter-than-human intervention.
38  
4.102.  Namibia's abundant supply of solar, wind and biomass resources provide tremendous 
potential in renewables that could be converted into electrical energy. However, according to a recent study the broad-based uptake of renewabl e energy technologies in Namibia remains slow. 
New sources of supply are needed to instil innova tion, dynamism and tech nology know-how into 
the sector.
39 As a result, the MME has launched the REFIT Programme and a solar tender for three 
10 MW solar plants, and is developing a Renewable Energy Policy.  
                                               
37 Fulbright (2012). 
38 NamPower Annual Report, 2013. 
39 Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (2012).  WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  4.103.  The Renewable Energy Policy aims at sour cing at least 10% of Namibia's energy mix from 
renewables other than hydro.  A number of consequent projects are in various stages of 
development, covering wind, biomass and solar resources. Early examples include the Tsumkwe 
photovoltaic (PV)/diesel hybrid (200 KW of PV) plant and a net metering (64kW) PV system at 
NamPower's head office in Windhoek.40 The N$120 million Omburu Solar Park, owned by French 
investor InnoSun, is the first renewable energy project in Namibia by an IPP. It  was expected to 
add 4.5 MW of electricity to NamPower's national grid by early 2015. Nampower cites below-cost 
tariffs for conventional electricity, the higher co sts of alternative energy, and reliability issues 
regarding wind and solar power as the major challenges for renewable energy in Namibia. 
4.104.  NamPower increased its rural electrification budget to N$25 million from N$20 million in 
the 2014/15 financial year. Access to electricity by rural households is 12%, while for urban users 
it is 78%. 
4.105.  Namibia has developed a Nuclear Fuel Cycle Policy to investigate the viability of a nuclear 
power programme as part of its energy mix for the future. Namibia's participation in the uranium 
production cycle is currently limited to production with the final product being uranium 
concentrate. Namibia intends to investigate the possibility of developing its own uranium purification facility by a consortium of Namibian  companies, in partnership with other development 
partners and, where possible, with partners at th e regional level. Namibia is a signatory to the 
Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Safeguards Agreemen t, the Additional Protocol and the Pelindaba 
Treaty. The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Policy is due to be  launched in July 2015 and will be followed by a 
legal background study. Since the project is cross-cutting it will be hosted by two ministries, the 
MME and the Ministry of Health and Social Sciences. 
4.106.  The Demand Side Management (DSM) Project aims to address electricity supply 
constraints in a cost effective manner by reducing electricity demand on the NamPower network 
during peak times through the implementation  of energy efficient and renewable energy 
technologies. The DSM project includes the foll owing initiatives: replacement of one million 
incandescent bulbs in the residential sector most l i k e l y  t o  b e  s w i t c h e d  o n  d u r i n g  p e a k  d e m a nd  
times, with LED light bulbs; replacement or installation of 20,000 solar water heaters over the next 
five years; and engagement by electricity users who have their own standby generators and/or the potential to reduce significant loads on short notice. These initiatives are expected to reduce peak demand by up to 30 MW, 10 MW and 70 MW, respectively. 
4.107.  In 2013 Namibia began work on a bill to establish an Energy Regulatory Authority which 
would establish a single national energy regulator for electricity, downstream gas including gas pipelines and storage facilities, renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation. The 
Electricity Act is also being revised. The new Electricity Bill provides for the establishment of a 
national regulatory framework for the electricity provision industry, and a licensing and tariff framework for the generation, transmission, distri bution, supply, trading, import and export of 
electricity. Both bills are at the final stages of development.  
4.108.  In 2014, the MME and Polytechnic of Nami bia launched the Namibia Energy Institute (NEI) 
which replaces the Renewable Energy and En ergy Efficiency Institute (REEEI) which was 
established in 2006.  The NEI will consolidate research and development across the energy field in 
Namibia with an expanded mandate that covers nuclear, electricity and petroleum. The 
Government has committed a total of N$14.48 million over the next three years as seed funding for the NEI. 
4.109.  Namibia is a member of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). Although SAPP remains 
an important tool for inter-utility coordination and sharing of best practice, the near-term electricity supply deficit in the region has rendered SAPP's trading and platform secondary, as 
excess capacity is a rarity. Once major new generation sources come on stream and with virtually 
all SAPP countries investing substantially in interconnectors and other transmission system upgrades, this trend can be expected to revers e and a broader, deeper trading market can be 
expected to emerge.
41 
                                               
40 NamPower Annual Report, 2013.  
41 Nampower Annual Report, 2014. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  4.6  Manufacturing 
4.110.  Namibia has a relatively small manufacturing sector, largely based on its resource 
endowment of fisheries and meat. In constant 2010 prices, manufacturing has registered a steady increase over the period reviewed (Table 4.8).
42 Food products and beverages have benefited from 
improved shares in both local and external markets. Textiles and grain mill products have also 
experienced growth. Increased meat processing reflects the slaughtering of livestock both for export and local consumption due to the 2012 drough t which forced farmers to reduce their herds. 
Table 4.8 Contribution to GDP by manufacturing, 2008-13 
(N$ million, constant 2010 prices) 
 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 
Meat processing 334 348 368 358 354 410 
Grain mill products 452 526 570 607 598 641 
Other food products and beverages 2,373 2,630 1,879 2,728 2,702 2,852 
Textile and wearing apparel 441 436 452 473 502 526 
Leather and related products 114 73 81 92 102 87 
Basic non-ferrous metals 2,164 2,416 2,731 3,156 2,431 2,290 
Other manufacturing43 3,518 2,440 3,225 3,478 3,459 3,538 
Total 9,396 9,587 10,306 10,892 10,147 10,342 
Source: Namibia Statis tics Agency, Annual National Accounts (2013). 
4.111.  Namibia's main exported manufactured products are shown in Table 4.9. Basic non-ferrous 
metals, followed by other food and beverages and meat processing account for the largest shares, 
accounting in 2013 for 8.4%, 4.6% and 2.4% of total exports, respectively.  
Table 4.9 Namibia's main export ed manufactured products, 2008-13 
(N$ million) 
 2008 % 2009 % 2010  % 2011  % 2012 % 2013  % 
Basic non-
ferrous metals 4,319 10.0 4,689 11.0 4,549 11.7 5,449 14.0 4,625 10.3 4,739 8.4 
Other food and 
beverages 1,712 4.0 2,338 5.5 2,003 5.2 2,136 5.5 2,461 5.5 2,573 4.6 
Meat 
processing 1,476 3.4 1,783 4.2 1,450 3.7 1,388 3.6 1,495 3.3 1,373 2.4 
Other 
manufacturing 751 1.7 1,138 2.7 813 2.1 718 1.8 791 1.8 764 1.4 
Leather and 
related products 260 0.6 213 0.5 184 0.5 212 0.5 267 0.6 366 0.6 
Textile and 
wearing 
apparel 83 0.2 142 0.3 95 0.2 91 0.2 110 0.2 126 0.2 
Grain mill 
products 49 0.1 63 0.1 46 0.1 44 0.1 68 0.2 90 0.2 
Source: Namibia Statistics Agency. 
4.112.  Namibia has put in place a number of interventions to support the manufacturing sector. 
The SME policy and business support services programmes (launched in 1997) seek to overcome constraints experienced by small and medium enterp rises (SMEs) including low productivity due to 
lack of access to machinery and technology inpu ts (usually due to high cost). Through the 
Nationwide Common Facility Initiative (NCFI), the MITSD, through its implementing agencies, namely Namibia Development Corporation (NDC) and Offshore Development Company (ODC), 
procures machinery and equipment for lease to interested SMEs on agreed terms and conditions. 
The machinery remains the property of the MITSD. This initiative is complemented by the Sites and Premises Development Programme through which the MITSD constructs and provides business premises, including factory shells, in which machines and equipment purchased through the NCFI 
are installed and leased together as a unit.  
                                               
42 Bank of Namibia, Annual Report (2013). 
43 Other manufacturing includes wood and wood products, publishing and printing, chemical and related 
products, rubber and plastic produc ts, non-metallic minerals products , fabricated metals and diamond 
processing. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  4.113.  The Entrepreneurial Development Programme performs activities, such as the procurement 
of production machinery, equipment, and inputs of raw materials, and the provision of business 
advisory services such as managerial, technical and business strategy development, and marketing skills aimed at new business (start-ups) and existing SMEs, especially those undertaken 
by historically disadvantaged Namibians. The Equi pment Aid Scheme aims to reduce the cost of 
business set-up, operation, expansion and output through the provision of requisite production equipment and inputs to qualifying SMEs on an  affordable lease or donation basis, and the 
provision of production inputs during the start-up  phase of the business, as well as facilitating 
market access and linkages to large retail and distribution outlets. 
4.114.  Namibia's geographically strategic location on the border with South Africa and with 
preferential access to the SACU and SADC markets, good air and road communications (and to a 
certain extent, rail), good infrastructure, and modern and efficient financial services, provides an 
enabling environment to increase its manufacturing base. Given its strategic position, Namibia has the opportunity to utilize its network of transport corridors and position itself as the logistical hub 
for neighbouring landlocked Southern African countries. 
4.115.  Manufacturing in Namibia faces a number of challenges due to the relatively small size of 
the domestic market, the high cost of technolo gy and utilities, limited entrepreneurial ideas, 
limited access to skilled labour and little insertion into global value chains. The Namibian 
government has undertaken a number of steps to address these challenges. Namibia's industrial policy, issued in 2012 and based on Vision 2030, outlin es the specific principles and objectives that 
will guide manufacturing in terms of production structure and standards. It seeks to revise the 
country's production structure; improve the business investment climate and export policies; and 
increase the size of the SME sector. In 2013 the MITSD launched its "growth at home" strategy which aims to promote job creation through the manufacturing of products with added value. The 
strategy emphasizes the importance of commodity-based industrialization by strengthening local 
and national value chains and creating more efficient linkages within the economy, supported by improved logistics and infrastructure, improvemen ts in the ease of doing business and ongoing 
dialogue and partnership between the Government and the private sector.
44 The goal is to advance 
industrialization and structural economic transformation through value addition strategies in all sectors, particularly in agriculture and agro-processing, fish processing, and mining and mineral processing. 
4.116.  Namibia also has the potential to take adva ntage of global value chains (GVCs) in view of 
its abundant natural resources. Although GVCs do not specifically form part of the Government's strategic considerations, the implementation of innovative measures to reduce the high cost of 
doing business, removing various bottlenecks in infrastructure and investing in skills development 
will all help this process.
45 
4.117.  In 2009-10, Namibia developed an Industrial Upgrading and Modernization Programme 
(IUMP), drawing upon the knowledge and regional expertise developed during the formulation of 
the SADC IUMP. The goal of the programme is  to support the dynamics of upgrading and 
modernization of industries and related services, and to improve their competitiveness, growth, job creation and access to national, regional and international markets. Projects are only 
considered if they operate primarily in the fo llowing categories: agro-food processing; fish 
processing; pharmaceuticals and cosmetics manufacturing (including biodiversity-based products); and minerals beneficiation (metallic and non-metallic). 
4.118.  A number of manufacturing activities take place in Namibia in Export Processing Zones 
(Chapter 3). Manufacturing enterprises and expo rters of manufactured goods that do not have 
EPZ status can still benefit from a package of tax incentives (Table 4.10). All manufacturing 
concerns claiming incentives must register with MITSD, and for tax incentives, with the Ministry of 
Finance. The Minister of Finance is empowered to  prescribe accounting procedures and regulations 
for manufacturing enterprises qualifying for tax incentives. To promote control and prevent the misuse of tax incentives, enterprises qualifying fo r such incentives are not relieved of the duty to 
submit a fully substantiated annual tax return.  
                                               
44 MTI, "Growth at Home": A Strategy  for Industrial Development . 
45 Namibia 2014. Viewed at: http://www.africaneconomicoutlook.org/en/ .  WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  Table 4.10 Summary of special incentiv es for manufacturers and exporters 
 Registered manufacturers Exporters of 
manufactured goods Export processing zone 
enterprises 
Cash grants 50% of direct cost of approved 
export promotion activities Not eligible Not eligible 
Corporate tax Set at 18% for ten years after 
which the standard 35% rate 
applies 80% allowance on 
income derived from 
exporting 
manufacturing goods Exempt 
Eligibility and 
registration Manufacturing enterprises 
submit applications to the 
MITSD which are approved by the Ministry of Finance Enterprises that export 
manufactured goods 
whether produced in Namibia or not; application to and approval by the Ministry of Finance Enterprises engaged in 
manufacturing, assembly, and 
exporting mainly outside of the SACU markets apply to the EPZ Committee through the ODC or EPZMC 
Establishment 
tax package Negotiable rates and terms by 
special tax package Not eligible Not eligible 
Export promotion allowance Additional deduction from 
taxable income of 25% Not eligible Not eligible 
Incentive for 
training Additional deduction from 
taxable income of 25%-75%; 
approved by the Ministry of 
Finance in consultation with 
the MITSD and the Ministry of 
Labour and Human Resource 
Development Not eligible Not available 
Industrial 
studies Available at 50% of cost Not eligible Not eligible 
Special building 
allowance Factory buildings written off at 
20% in the first year and 8% 
per annum for ten years Not eligible Not eligible 
Stamp and 
transfer duty Normal treatment Normal treatment Exempt 
Transportation 
allowance Allowance for land-based 
transportation by road or rail 
of 25% deduction from total 
cost Not eligible Not eligible 
VAT Exemption on purchase and 
import of manufacturing machinery and equipment Normal treatment Exempt 
Source: Ministry of Trade and Industry, Specia l Incentives for Manufacturers and Exporters. 
4.119.  Where an investor wishes to establish a new manufacturing venture in Namibia, or relocate 
an existing operation to Namibia, a special tax package may be negotiated through the MITSD 
which makes recommendations to the Ministry of Finance. The Minister of Finance may grant, in consultation with the Minister of any line ministry, special conditions to certain manufacturing 
enterprises, and set the rate of tax payable and the terms under which this rate shall apply. A 
feasibility study must be presented showing th a t  e x i s t i n g  i n d u s t r y  w i l l  n o t  b e  u n f a i r l y  
disadvantaged, and the enterprise will contribute positively to Namibia's long-term economic growth. The package and conditions that are approv ed by the Minister of Finance are published in 
the Government Gazette. 
4.120.  According to the Namibian Manufacturers' Association, the incentives available to 
manufacturers and exporters of manufactured go ods are not sufficient. Manufacturers face a 
challenge obtaining "manufacturer status" from the relevant ministries. Firstly, the production 
processes currently employed by several industries – including fish and meat processing, textiles, pharmaceuticals and automotive industries – are not regarded as falling within the definition of 
manufacturing and therefore are not eligible for these incentives. Secondly, this status has to be 
granted by two Ministries (MITSD and MoF), thus  increasing bureaucracy and red tape, and whose WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  requirements reveal a tension between revenue protection and enhancing manufacturing 
activities.46 
4.121.  Tariff protection in the sector (ISIC rev.2) has increased since the previous TPR of SACU 
from 8.5% in 2008 to 8.7% in 2015, with protecti on higher than the overall average (8.3%). The 
tariff range has increased dramatically from 0% to 624% (compared with 0% to 96% in 2008). 
The highest rate of protection applies to textiles, wearing apparel and leather industries (an average of 23.2% with a maximum of 624%); average MFN tariff protection for food, beverages 
and tobacco is 12.2%; and wood and wood products receive average protection of 11%. 
4.122.  The authorities indicate that they have taken no recent actions on TBT matters that affect 
manufacturing exports or imports into and from Namibia. However, since the last TPR, Namibia 
has established a national standards body known as the Namibian Standards Institution 
(section 3.1.6).  
4.7  Services 4.123.  Services account for a growing share of GDP, largely due to increases in the share of 
wholesale and retail trade, transport, financial intermediation, real estate and business services, 
education and health services (Table 4.11). Trade in services has grown on average by over 6% 
annually since 2008. 
Table 4.11 Contribution of  services to GDP, 2008-13 
(N$ million, constant 2010 prices) 
 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 
Wholesale and retail trade, repairs 7,850 8,638 9,284 9,827 10,245 11,729 
Hotels and restaurants 1,265 1,335 1,421 1,555 1,681 1,761 
Transport and communication 3,424 3,973 4,238 4,444 4,800 5,268 
 Transport 1,590 1,682 1,685 1,854 2,039 2,320 
 Storage 660 667 706 765 823 845 
Post and telecommunications 1,174 1,624 1,846 1,826 1,938 2,103 
Financial intermediation 4,309 4,202 4,602 4,863 5,194 5,790 
Real estate and business services 6,511 7,008 7,126 7,529 7,883 8,161 
 Real estate activities 4,968 5,149 5,350 5,487 5,852 6,134 
 Other business services 1,543 1,859 1,776 2,042 2,030 2,027 
Community, social and personal 
service activities 2,213 2,201 2,236 2,488 2,049 2,086 
Public administra tion and defence 8,408 8,850 9,100 9,579 9,860 10,742 
Education 5,712 5,882 5,872 6,894 7,202 7,442 
Health 2,191 2,311 2,531 2,674 2,828 3,077 
Private household with employed 
persons 723 785 853 926 1,005 938 
Total 42,607 45,182 47,262 50,779 52,747 56,994 
Source: Namibia Statis tics Agency, Annual National Accounts (2013). 
4.124.  Namibia's commitments under the GATS cover tourism (hotels and restaurants, travel 
agencies and tour operators), and scientific and consulting services relating to offshore oil and gas 
exploration. The SACU Agreement does not contain a trade in services component. SADC countries have negotiated a trade in services protocol, but it is not yet in force.
47 
4.7.1  Telecommunications and communication services 
4.7.1.1  Overview 4.125.  The contribution of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector to GDP has 
remained more or less constant over the period re viewed at around 2.7%. The penetration rate of 
telephones in Namibia has more than doubled sinc e 2008, with the main source of growth being 
                                               
46 Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) (2014).  
47 The SADC Protocol on trade in services was laun ched in 2001 and signed by some SADC members in 
2012. Six sectors are prioritized: communication, construction, energy, financial services, tourism and 
transport services). Namibia has not yet signed the Protocol due to the internal process to be followed before signature by the Head of State. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  mobile telephony. The subscribers of internet serv ices continued to increase also. According to the 
ITU, in 2014, 42.9% of the population had access to the internet at home via mobile or fixed devices. Mobile teledensity jumped from 50% in 2008 to 112% in 2014, while fixed-line teledensity grew slightly from 6.9% in 2008 to 8% in 2013.
48 
4.126.  The Ministry of Information and Communi cation Technology's Strategic Plan (2009-13) 
sets out the policy development and service delivery commitments of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MIC T) over the five-year period. The main objectives of the plan 
include ensuring that Namibia accelerates its pa ce of ICT usage and development, providing and 
disseminating information on behalf of Government, enhancing the internal capabilities of the MICT, and promoting sound administration and good governance.  
4.127.  Namibia has issued 13 service and technology-neutral telecommunications service licences 
to operators, since the establishment of the Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia 
(CRAN) in 2011. Telecom Namibia (TN) holds the dominant position based on the fact that it holds more than 35% of market share based on revenue and also controls infrastructure that is 
necessary for the provision of telecommunications services. In terms of its dominant position TN 
now has a duty, inter alia , to provide other operators non-discriminatory access to network 
elements on an unbundled basis. 
4.128.  There are two mobile telecommunications companies. Mobile Telecommunications Limited 
(MTC), a joint venture between the Government (66% holding) and Africatel Holding BV (34%), is the largest with over 2 million subscribers and has also been declared dominant based on the fact 
that it holds more than a 35% market share based on revenue and controls infrastructure 
necessary for the provision of telecommunications services. The second is TN mobile owned by 
Telecom Namibia, which purchased mobile operator Leo (previously owned by Telecel Globe, a subsidiary of Egypt's Orascom Telecom) in 2011. Both operators have entered the internet and 
broadband market with 3G and LTE mobile broadband services in a bid to create new revenue 
streams. Fixed-line services are still dominated by Telecom Namibia. In 2014, a new market entrant, Paratus Telecommunications (Pty)
49, began offering fixed voice services using VOIP 
technology. The issuance of service technology neutral service licences has opened the market for 
other operators to enter the fixed line market. In 2012, the Namibia Competition Commission imposed a condition that the shareholding structure of Telecom Namibia and MTC must be separate and independent within two years.
50 In October 2014, the Government announced its 
decision to dismantle Namibia Post and Telecommunication Holdings Company (NPTH), the 
umbrella company that includes NamPost, Telecom Namibia, MTC and TN Mobile and  re-distribute 
the properties and liabilities among the subsidiaries. 
4.129.  The development of Namibia's internet and broadband sector has been held back by high 
prices for international bandwidth, caused by the lack of a direct connection to international submarine fibre optic cables until 2011 when the WACS cable landed in the country. International 
cable services were launched in May 2012. In parallel, Namibia is working to diversify its transit 
access routes via neighbouring countries, but broadband price reductions on the wholesale and retail level remain moderate.
51 
4.130.  The state-owned NamPost has a monopoly over postal, but not courier services. The 
distribution of letters not exceeding 100 g and pa rcel post not exceeding 15 kg to post boxes, 
private bags and home letter boxes are reserved for NamPost. The distribution of advertising material and newspapers through post boxes, private bags and home letter boxes is excluded from 
reserved service. Any parcel - regardless of its weight - that is not distributed through NamPost's 
postal network, is open to competition. Tariffs applicable to reserved postal services are set by NamPost according to guidelines established by CRAN. Tariffs for unreserved postal services are 
set by the market. NamPost is not permitted to cr oss-subsidize the prices of any unreserved postal 
services from the sales revenue of reserved post al services. In Namibia's Postal Policy (2009), 
                                               
48 ITU online information. 
49 Paratus is a 100% privately owned Namibian company. 
50 Online information. Viewed at: 
https://www.telegeography.com/pr oducts/commsupdate/a rticles/2014/10/03/government-separating-mtc-
and-telecom-namibia-ownership/ . 
51 Online information. Viewed at: http://www.budde.com.au/Research/Namibia-Telecoms-Mobile-and-
Broadband-Market-Insights-and-Statistics.html. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  Government recognizes the impact of technological advances on postal services and charges 
NamPost with expanding its services into hybrid electronic services. All post offices have access to electricity and 94% have access to internet services. 
4.131.  NamPost also runs a savings bank. Since 2009 NamPost has diversified its portfolio in 
response to declining mail volumes. Postal services and courier contributed 98% and 3%, 
respectively, to NamPost's profits in 2009.
52 In 2013, this contribution changed to 53% and 13%, 
with financial services accounting for 34%. The average post office density remains relatively high 
at 15,400 people per post office compared to the international standard of 12,000 people per post 
office.53 
4.7.1.2  Developments in regulation 4.132.  The MICT is responsible for formulating telecommunications policies. The Communications 
Act 2009 (Act No. 8, 2009) establishes the gene ral framework governing the opening of the 
telecommunication sector in Namibia to competition and provides for the regulation of telecoms services and networks, broadcasting, postal servic es and the use and allocation of radio spectrum. 
It also provides for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority (CRAN), replacing the 
former Namibian Communications Commission. The Act contains provisions on licensing, interconnection, sharing of infrastructure, spectrum management, numbering, consumer 
protection and universal service. Tariffs for fixed, mobile and other telecommunications services 
are set by operators and approved by CRAN.  
4.133.  CRAN's responsibilities include the granti ng (and suspension) of licences, regulation of 
interconnection tariffs, implementation of a transparent and fair pricing regime that facilitates 
competition on a wide variety of services, and managing the Universal Service Fund. All operators 
in the telecommunications market require a licence issued for a fixed term by CRAN. CRAN uses a progressive regulatory levy formula for licence fees , according to which the percentage of turnover 
payable as a levy is based on a formula that caps the maximum percentage at 1.5%.
54 In addition 
to the progressive levy formula all licensees pay an annual licence fee. Interconnection fees are regulated and are among the lowest in Southern Africa. 
4.134.  CRAN has created a regulatory framework for digital terrestrial television (DTT). This 
involved the creation of additional broadcasting service categories for multiplex operators, class comprehensive multiplex and signal distribution operators, in accordance with the Digital Terrestrial Television Policy Guidelines published in November 2013. Licensing conditions for the 
new broadcasting service categories have been finalized. At present DTT services are provided by 
the national broadcaster (NBC) and Multichoice Namibia (Pty) Ltd. Namibia has commenced the switch off of analogue television services to m eet the international cut-off date of 17 June 2015. 
4.135.  CRAN's Strategic Plan for the period 2012-15 focuses on six areas: market development 
and expansion; fair competition; spectrum management; universal service; consumer advocacy and protection; and monitoring, compliance and enfo rcement. CRAN is currently in the process of 
drafting regulations to give effect to the Communications Act in respect of universal service and 
access. Further action will be taken once Part VI of the Communications Act has been enabled by the Minister of ICT. 
4.136.  In April 2013, a general policy guideline on universal access and service in communications 
came into effect. All operators are obligated to contribute on an annual basis to a universal access 
fund based on their audited percentage of revenue. The goal is to provide a 98% level of universal 
access (and 95% level of universal service) in respect of telephony, broadcasting and broadband 
services within a period of 10 years or less for individuals, households, businesses and 
marginalized groups throughout Namibia. A universal service report will be prepared on an annual basis once Part VI of the Communications Act has been enabled and regulations in this respect 
have been finalized.  
                                               
52 Its financial services arm accounted for a loss of 1%. 
53 Nampost Annual Report 2012-2013. 
54 The percentage levy increases evenly from 0% to 1. 5% for turnover ranging from zero to N$1 billion. 
Licensees with less than a N$1 billion turnover pay a low percentage while those exceeding this threshold pay the full levy. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  4.137.  A number of policies have been issued to  modernize the ICT environment: an Information 
Technology Policy (2008), Telecommunications Policy (2009), Broadcasting Policy (2009), Postal Policy (2009), a Universal Access and Service Policy for Information and Communications Technologies (2012), and Digital Terrestrial Television Policy Guidelines (2013).  
4.138.  The Information Technology Policy lays out the framework for Namibia's IT sector. The 
Namibian IT market is fully deregulated. Governme nt assumes responsibility for the overall policy 
functions and legal framework of the IT industry. The regulatory authority whose board is 
appointed by the Minister of ICT has jurisdiction on licensed telecommunications service providers.  
4.139.  The Telecommunications Policy lays out the roles and structure within the ICT sector, and 
policies with regard to competition, consumer protection and standards, regulatory framework, and ownership and foreign participation. The Government committed to move towards a service 
and technology neutral licensing approach. In a converged ICT environment, the regulatory 
authority issues licences for electronic communications services (ECS) and electronic communications network services (ECNS). The migration to a service neutral licensing 
environment was required in order to accommo date technological convergence and promote 
effective competition.  
4.140.  The Broadcasting Policy is the first since Namibia's independence. The Policy outlines the 
establishment of an enabling framework for broadcas ting sector development in Namibia, including 
the roles of Government, the regulatory authority, industry and consumers; and details of competition, consumer protection and standards, ownership and foreign participation in the sector, and cross-media ownership. 
4.141.   The Digital Terrestrial Television Policy Guidelines facilitate the migration from analogue to 
digital terrestrial television and appoint the national broadcasters as the common carrier for free-to-air commercial and community television broadcasters. 
4.7.2  Banking, finance, and insurance 
4.7.2.1  Banking services 4.142.  The banking system comprises six commerc ial banks (First National Bank of Namibia, 
Standard Bank Namibia, Nedbank, Bank Windhoek, SME Bank
55 and E-Bank Limited56) and one 
microfinance bank (Fides Bank), which was acquired by Trustco Group in 2014 and whose operations remain relatively small in comparison to that of the commercial banks. These banks are the primary mobilizers of funds from the public and the main sources of financing, which support 
business operations and economic activities in Namibia. In 2014, the Bank of Namibia granted 
provisional banking licences to Angolan-owned Banco BIC and Banco Privado Atlantico (to establish branches) and to Botswanan-owned Letshego (to establish a bank).  
4.143.  The total banking sector balance sheet amounted to N$87.2 billion at 31 December 2014 
representing a year-on-year increase of 13.2%. Total loans and advances accounted for 76.9% of the banking sector's total assets, increasing from 74.5% in 2013. Cash and balances accounted for 
9.3% during 2013, increasing slightly to 9.5% in  2014. Demand deposits grew by N$4.1 billion to 
N$37.7 billion whilst the fixed and notice deposi ts increased by N$2.1 billion. The non-bank 
funding (deposits) comprised 79.9% of the banking sector's total funding, while equity capital and 
bank funding represented 10.3% and 4.0% of total funding, respectively. 
4.144.  Total qualifying capital grew from N$8.3 billion to N$9.4 billion between 
end-December 2013 and 2014. The growth in qual ifying capital was mirrored by the significant 
growth in tier 1 capital, which increased by N$1.0 billion to N$7.6 billion during 2014.  
4.145.  The wholly state-owned banks in Namibia are Agribank (N$1.95 billion in assets as of 
end-March 2013) and the Development Bank of Nami bia (N$2.37 billion in assets as of end-2013).  
                                               
55 SME Bank was established in 2012 with the majority of its ownership held by the Government of 
Namibia. 
56 E-Bank (equally owned by Namibia's Pointbreak an d South Africa's Tyme Capital), was granted a final 
licence in 2014. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  4.146.  The Bank of Namibia licences all banks.  The Banking Institutions Amendment Act, 2010 
(Act No. 14 of 2010) amending the Banking Instit utions Act, 1998 (Act No. 2 of 1998) includes 
provisions for consolidated supervision of financial entities (under the Bank of Namibia and NAMFISA); for the registration of controlling co mpanies of banking institutions; to authorize 
foreign banking institutions to open branches in Namibia; to enable the Bank of Namibia to object 
to the appointment of directors, principal officers and executive officers at banking institutions; to authorize the Bank to determine minimum capital funds in respect of banking institutions or 
banking groups; to confer author ity on the Minister of Finance to regulate the ownership of 
banking institutions and their controlling companies; and empowers the Bank of Namibia to determine administrative fines to address issues of non-compliance with banking laws. The minimum capital requirement to establish a bank in Namibia is determined by the Bank of Namibia 
(the previous minimum capital requirement of N$10 million has been removed under the 
Amendment Act). The minimum capital threshold is established on the basis of the risk-weighted assets of the banking institution, and the size and complexity of its business model and 
infrastructure, and may not amount to less than 10% of risk-weighted assets.   
4.147.  The Bank of Namibia migrated to Basel II as a regulatory standard for capital adequacy in 
January 2010. Accordingly, all banking institutions in Namibia have since implemented the 
standardized approach to the measurement and calculation of capital charges for credit, 
operational and market risks. The Bank of Namibi a has finalized and approved the position paper 
on the implementation of Basel III which takes into consideration the feasibility, impact and readiness of the country.  
4.148.  Interest rates in Namibia are set by mark et players. The prime rate, being the reference 
rate, changes in line with the corresponding changes to the repo rate (policy rate), which is set by the Bank of Namibia. 
4.149.  The Namibian banking industry completed the Namclear Automated Clearing House Project 
during 2013 by localizing the card clearing systems.  This project will enable the Namibian banking 
industry to maintain a modern, streamlined, and cost-effective payments infrastructure. In an 
effort to ensure the protection of financial serv ices consumers, a Code of Banking Practice and 
Guidelines for Lodging Customer Complaints with  the Bank of Namibia were launched in 2013.  
4.150.  In 2010, the Payment System Management Act, 2003 (Act No. 18 of 2003) was amended 
to include the following key changes: determinat ion of standards for user fees and charges for 
payment services; criminalization of the possession of devices used to counterfeit or clone a 
payment instrument; and provision for administrative penalties in case of non-compliance with the Payment System Act. In 2010, the cheque item limit was reduced from N$5 million to N$500,000. 
Other regulatory changes introduced since 2012 include: provision of a legal framework for 
non-banks to issue electronic money in Namibia; a requirement that domestic transactions be acquired by a domestic financial institution and go through the domestic switch; standards setting 
for basic bank accounts and cash deposit fees; access criteria through which banks and non-banks 
may apply to participate in the clearing and settlement systems; and provision for principles for efficiency within the national payment system.  
4.151.  The Financial Intelligence Act 2012 (Act No. 13 of 2012), which repeals the Financial 
Intelligence Act 2007, provides inter alia  for the establishment of the Financial Intelligence Centre 
as the national centre responsible for collecting, requesting, receiving and analysing suspicious transaction and activity reports which may relate to money laundering or the financing of 
terrorism; and for the establishment of the Anti-M oney Laundering and Combating of the Financing 
of Terrorism Council. Regulations for the Financial Intelligence Act are available on the Bank of Namibia's website.
57 
4.152.  Credit bureau regulations introduced in July 2014 provide for the registration and licensing 
of credit bureaux which provide information on firms and individuals, such as credit applications and agreements, payment history or patterns, and credit performance information. Credit bureaux 
are licensed, regulated and supervised by the Bank  of Namibia. Operators of credit bureaux are 
required to pay an annual licence fee of N$10,000. Thus far, three applications for registration as 
credit bureaux have been received and proces sed by the banking supervision department. Two 
                                               
57 Online information. Viewed at: https://www.fic.na/Downloads/Regulations/FIA-Regulations-
Execmptions.pdf. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  applications have been finalized and recommended for provisional registration, subject to on-site 
inspection. The third application was recommended for cancellation due to inadequate or lacking information. 
4.153.  The Unit Trusts Control Amendment Act 2011 (Act No. 10, 2011), amending the Unit 
Trusts Control Act 1981, improves regulation and supervision regarding the establishment, 
operation and management of unit trust schemes. Regulations relating to the Unit Trusts Scheme capital requirements were published in December 2014 and became effective in January 2015. The 
regulations deal with specific prudential standa rds and requirements that apply to unit trust 
management companies and unit trust portfolios in Namibia. 
4.154.  A Financial Services Ombudsman Adjudicator Bill and Consumer Credit Bill are being 
developed and are currently subject to intensive co nsultations with key stakeholders. The Financial 
Services Adjudicator Bill 2015 not only provides fo r the adjudication of complaints emanating from 
non-banking financial institutions and intermediaries, but also from banking and other institutions providing financial services as defined in Schedule 1 of the bill. In the bill, a "complaint" relates to 
an allegation that the financial services provider or its employee or representative: has 
contravened or failed to comply with a provision of the applicable establishing Act and that as a result the complainant has suffered or is likely to suffer financial prejudice or damage; has wilfully 
or negligently provided a financial service to the complainant which has caused prejudice or 
damage to the complainant or which is likely to result in such prejudice or damage; and has provided wrong or unprofessional advice in relation to a financial service to the complainant; or has treated the complainant unfairly. The Adjudicator Bill is envisaged to be promulgated into law 
during 2015. 
4.155.  With regard to the Consumer Credit Bill, the authorities point out that the current 
legislation on consumer credit is outdated, and therefore renders the regulatory framework 
ineffective and inefficient in regulating unfair market conduct against the providers of financial 
services. The provisions of the bill aim at prot ecting consumers of credit against unfair market 
conduct from providers of consumer credit services and products. In addition, the Bill aims at 
establishing an optimal way to reform a fragment ed regulatory and supervisory oversight function 
on the market conduct of consumer credit currently falling under the mandate of different legislation and institutions. Other areas of concern in the on-going debate include, inter alia , 
consumer indebtedness and loan defaults, in some cases believed to be associated with loan 
extension done without proper client affordability assessment. Consultations on the bill began in 
2015; promulgation might not be possible in 2015 due to remaining processes.  
4.156.  The Public Finance Management Bill is being redrafted in order to take advantage of new 
developments in financial management. The new bill is expected to be finalized during the course 
of 2015.  
4.157.  Namibia has one of the most developed financial systems in Africa, but significant 
limitations remain. The World Economic Forum's 2013/14 Global Competitiveness Report ranked 
the country 55th out of 144 countries in the availability of financial services (behind only South Africa, Mauritius, and Rwanda in sub-Saharan Africa). Namibia benefits from close ties with South Africa, and its banking institutions remain sound, profitable, and adequately capitalized. As 
a result of its strong financial foundation, the banking system has remained resilient to shocks 
emanating from the global and Eurozone financial crisis. Namibia's financial system is flush with investible funds as 35% of all pension fund assets must be invested domestically. Although better 
than in most African countries, the financial sector is characterized by deficiencies, including 
limited competition and a high concentration of majority-owned South African commercial banks (three out of six), insufficient financial products in the bond market, a relatively illiquid secondary 
market, and limited trading on the Namibian Stock Exchange.
58 
4.7.2.2  Insurance 4.158.  The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA) regulates and 
supervises the non-banking financial sector. This includes the Namibian Stock Exchange; 
long-term insurance; short-term insurance; asset management; unit trusts (collective investment 
schemes); pension funds; medical aid funds; public accountants and auditors; stock exchanges 
                                               
58 African Development Bank, Namibia: Country Strategy Paper 2014-2018 , February 2014. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  and stock brokers; brokers and agents of insu rance companies and moneylenders. The NAMFISA 
and Financial Institutions and Markets (FIM) Bill, which will provide NAMFISA with stronger regulatory and supervisory powers, has been draf ted and is expected to enter the promulgation 
process in 2015.  
4.159.  NAMFISA is continuing the development of  a risk-based supervisory framework. NAMFISA 
has created a ladder of intervention comprising five  stages of supervisory intervention. The stages 
vary from Stage 1 signifying no major problems to Stage 5, signifying that the entity is no longer 
viable or insolvency is imminent. The NAMFISA Electronic Regulatory System was introduced in 
June 2011 and enables regulated entities to submit quarterly data and biannual returns 
electronically. 
4.160.  NAMFISA supervises long- and short-term insurance institutions in accordance with the 
Short-term Insurance Act No. 4 of 1998 and the Long-term Insurance Act No. 5 of 1998. All 
insurers and reinsurers must be registered in accordance with these Acts. Short-term reinsurance policies should be covered by insurers located in Namibia unless local insurers lack the capacity to 
provide cover. Table 4.12 shows the number of regi stered entities and asset value of Namibia's 
insurance market as of 2013. Access, especially to short-term insurance services, remains very 
low for much of the population.
59 NamibRe, a state-owned corporation established by the NamibRe 
Act (Act no. 22 of 1998), is the only state-owned insurance company. Its mandate is to provide 
reinsurance services and to minimize the placem ent of insurance and reinsurance business outside 
the borders of Namibia.  
4.161.  A company can provide both long-term an d short-term insurance services, but needs to 
comply with the capital adequacy requirements in  both sectors. Insurance premiums are set by 
companies and approved by NAMFISA. Insuranc e companies set their premiums, then submit 
them to NAMFISA for approval. Factors that are considered include inflation and risk profiling. Car 
and house insurance are compulsory. Insurance is also compulsory when one takes out a loan 
from a bank. No Namibian insurer can cover risks located abroad, or vice versa.  
Table 4.12 Registered insurance entities an d asset value as of end December 2013 
Institution Registered 
entities Assets 
(N$ million) 
Long-term insurance companies (intermediaries) 16 (2265) 36,424 
Short-term insurance companies (intermediaries) 12 (572) 3,461 
Reinsurers 2 - 
Medical aid funds 9 1,002 
Pension funds 111 105,267 
Collective investment schemes 13 37,267 
Investment managers 28 123,322 
Microlenders 273 2,616 
Stock exchanges 1  
Stock brokers 4  
Friendly societies 2  
Total 471 (2837)  
Source: NAMFISA Annual Report 2014. 
4.162.   Capital adequacy ratios in the long-term insurance industry in Namibia remain robust with 
an industry coverage ratio of 5.7 for 2013, up from 4.8 in 2012. Gross premium income has grown 
over the period reviewed (Table 4.13). Gross premium income for long-term insurance grew 44% 
between 2009 and 2013, while for short-term insurance the figure was 59%. 
Table 4.13 Gross premium income for long- and short-term insurance, 2009-13 
(N$ million) 
 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 
Long term insurance 4,430 4,461 4,953 5,810 6,388 
Short term insurance 1,756 2,029 2,139 2,444 2,788 
Source: NAMFISA Annual Report 2014. 
                                               
59 Ministry of Finance, Namibia Financial Sector Strategy: 2011-2021. Towards Achieving Vision 2030 . WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  4.7.2.3  Other financial services 
4.163.  The Pension Funds Amendment Act 2011 amends the Pension Funds Act, 1956, so as to 
empower the Minister to make regulations pr escribing the minimum or maximum amount and 
category of assets which a pension fund may invest in or outside Namibia and prescribes 
administrative penalties for contravention or failure to comply with certain regulations. Regulations 
under the new FIM Bill would allow pension funds to invest a minimum of 1.75% and a maximum of 3.5% of their total assets in unlisted invest ments. These regulations also provide that the 
maximum percentage of a pension fund's total assets acquired in a company incorporated outside 
Namibia that qualify as domestic assets (dual-listed) will be reduced from 30% at the beginning of January 2014 to 10% as of 2018. 
4.164.  The criteria which must be fulfilled in order to list on the Namibian stock exchange (NSX) 
include share equity amounting to N$1 million, a minimum of one million shares in issue, a 
profitable trading record for three years, a cu rrent annual audited profit of at least N$500,000 
before taxation and interest, a minimum of 20% of shares held by the public and a minimum of 
150 shareholders. All applications must to be brought through a Namibian sponsor. As of 
31 December 2013, a total of 34 companies were listed on the NSX. The market capitalization of the NSX increased by 3.7% from N$1,357 billion in December 2012 to N$1,408 billion in 
December 2013. The stock exchange is a self-regulatory organization and regulates the activities 
of its members, i.e. stockbrokers. 
4.7.3  Transport 4.165.  The Department of Transport is responsible for transport by road, rail, air and sea and is 
divided into six directorates dealing with civil aviation, aircraft accident investigations, maritime 
affairs, railway affairs, transportation infrastructure management, and transportation policy and regulation. Government investment in infrastructu re development as a percentage of GDP hovers 
around 5%.  
4.7.3.1  Road 4.166.  Namibia has an extensive and well maintained road network and is investing in new roads 
whilst maintaining existing ones. The national road network totals 46,376 km, of which 7,165 km 
are paved, 35,000 km is gravel road and 4,211 km is earth road. 
4.167.  The Ministry of Works and Transport is resp onsible for transportation policy, regulation and 
legislation relating to the road network and road charges. The construction and maintenance of 
Namibia's road sector falls under the Roads Authority. The Roads Authority outsources the 
construction of national roads with tenders open to any applicant that meets tender specifications. Preference is given to local entities that have ex pertise in road construction, employ local people, 
and have a good standing tax certificate.  
4.168.   Funding for the road system is provided by the Road Fund Administration (RFA) which was 
established in 2000. The RFA, which reports directly to the Ministry of Finance, is also responsible 
for the management of the Road Fund. The following information is available on the Road Fund 
Administration's website: rates for motor vehicle registration and licence fees; entry fees in relation to foreign motor vehicles; travelling distance charges; fuel levies; cross-border charges; and mass distance charges.
60 In addition, abnormal load fees are levied on vehicles of which the 
dimensions and/or mass exceed legal limits. Fines and compensation for damage to roads are paid 
into the Road Fund. 
4.169.  Foreign road operators are required to obtain a cross-border charge permit of N$50 to 
transport goods across the border. The charge is under review with a view to increasing it.  
4.7.3.2  Rail 4.170.  Railway constitutes an important element of Namibia's transport infrastructure, especially 
for bulk freight. Rail in Namibia transports in ex cess of 1.8 billion tonnes of freight every year and 
                                               
60 Online information. Viewed at: http://www.rfanam.com.na . WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  a substantial number of passengers. The railway network comprises 2,382 km of narrow gauge 
track. An acute shortage of locomotives has led to recent failure to cope with demand. Tonnage transported fell to 2.10 million tonnes in 2013 from 2.34 million tonnes in the previous year. Challenges faced in the sector include ageing locomotives and rolling stock, dilapidated railway 
infrastructure and outdated equipment that contribute to escalating costs, high maintenance costs 
and unreliable services delivery. 
4.171.  The state-owned holding company Transnamib is responsible for the rail network, as well 
as for passenger and freight services. It is the on ly rail service provider in Namibia and owns the 
locomotives and carriages, while the State owns the rail network.  
4.172.  In March 2014, Namibia and Botswana signed an agreement to construct the 1,500 km 
Trans-Kalahari railway which will help to open up the coal fields of the eastern region of Botswana 
and provide a cost-effective supply chain solution to move coal and other commodities to the port 
of Walvis Bay. The railway and associated infrastructure, which will cost between US$9bn and US$10 billion to build, is expected to become operational in 2019. Financing will be sought from 
the private sector.  
4.7.3.3  Sea 4.173.  Namibia has two main ports: the main one in Walvis Bay and another in Lüderitz. The 
ports are owned by the Government and administer ed by the parastatal Namibian Ports Authority 
(NamPort). The Namibian Government is investing heavily and partnering with the private sector in its port and transport infrastructure upgrade programmes in an attempt to position the country as a competitive regional cargo hub and logistics centre for sub-Saharan Africa. Critical to this 
objective is the development of a second container terminal at Walvis Bay. The new Namport 
Container Terminal (NCT), which is being developed on 40 ha of land, is one of the most critical elements in the Government's plan to raise th e country's trading profile. NCT will add 600 m of 
quay to the port's existing 1.5-km wharfage line, raising its overall container handling capacity to 
slightly over one million TEU
61 a year. Currently, Walvis Bay's annual design throughput is in the 
350,000 to 400,000 TEU range.  
4.174.  NamPort is also planning to build a new cargo-handling complex 5 km north of Walvis Bay. 
Dubbed the Southern African Gateway Port (SAGP), it will eventually comprise 10 km of berthing line and have the capacity to process up to 100 million tonnes of bulk cargo a year. This will cater for a significant increase in import and export volumes and commodities to and from landlocked 
SADC countries. SAGB will be financed with a mix of  state funding and private investment and be 
developed over several phases. To date, the Government has pledged N$1.5bn for the construction of the oil storage facility which is expected to be  completed during 2018. The new 
container terminal and associated developments are expected to permit a doubling in volumes by 
2017. 
4.175.  NamPort is also constructing a new marine petroleum offloading facility in Walvis Bay. The 
new tanker berth will be constructed to accommodate larger tanker vessels/fuel carriers. NamPort 
is looking into reforming the legal framework for ports with a view to implementing a more competitive structure based on best practice, which may ultimately culminate in the separation of the authority and operations functions of NamPort.  This process is under way and is expected to 
be completed soon.  
4.176.  A number of private companies provide liner services. A number of private freight 
forwarders operate in Namibia's ports. They must meet sea worthiness requirements and adhere 
to customs transit procedures. Entry into shipping is subject to specifications that determine 
cabotage restrictions. Foreign vessels may operate domestic services between Walvis Bay and Lüderitz without a permit provided they meet sea worthiness requirements. Prices for maritime 
transport services are set by the market rather th an being based on the size of the foreign vessel.  
4.177.  NamPort's handling of cargo and containers increased considerably during the period under 
review (Table 4.14). The main commodities landed at the port of Walvis Bay are petroleum, 
                                               
61 Twenty foot equivalent. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  vehicles, sulphuric acid, copper/lead, fish products and cement, while the main products shipped 
are salt, fish products, copper/lead and concentrates and manganese ore.  
Table 4.14 Cargo and containers handled at Namibian ports, FY 2008/09-2013/14 
(Tonnes, TEU) 
 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 
Cargo 
landed 3,120,887 2,778,265 3,075,836 3,348,481 .. .. 
 shipped 1,438,950 1,447,240 1,583,045 1,638,183 .. .. 
 transhipped 824,044 1,023,476 871,886 1,535,541 .. .. 
Total cargo handled 5,383,880 5,248,981 5,530,767 6,522,205 .. .. 
Containers 
landed, TEU 55,458 51,409 53,526 67,514 .. .. 
 shipped, TEU 56,040 48,792 43,439 52,034 .. .. 
 transhipped, TEU 154,165 156,118 126,723 217,586 .. .. 
Total containers handled 265,663 256,319 223,688 337,134 .. .. 
.. Not available. 
Source: NamPort. 
4.7.3.4  Air 
4.178.  Hosea Kutako International Airport in Windhoek (HKIA) is the nation's main gateway, 
located about 40 km east of the city. The airport caters for all regional and intercontinental 
services as well as three coastal domestic destinations, Walvis Bay, Luderitz and Oranjemund. 
Hosea Kutako is served by just four carriers; South African Airways, British Airways, TAAG and Air Namibia. Other major airports include Walvis Bay and Keetmanshoop, which are both equipped for wide-bodied aircraft. Small airports incl ude Rundu, Mpacha, Ondangwa, Oranjemund, 
Swakopmund and Eros. Airports are owned by the Government and managed by the Namibia 
Airports Company (NAC).  
4.179.  Crucial capital projects were carried out in the area of airport service infrastructure over 
the last five years.  These include the upgrading and renova tion of the terminal building and 
extension of public parking at HKIA. The NAC is planning to construct a new terminal building and a second runway which will accommodate larger aircrafts and more passengers, with the intention 
of upgrading HKIA to meet the requiremen ts for 4F international classification.
62  
4.180.  Air Namibia operates a network of 17 destinations. Its network is largely focused on 
Southern Africa including eight domestic destinations and a similar number of regional destinations. It also operates a daily service to Frankfurt. Air Namibia has a monopoly on its routes 
to Harare and Lusaka. In August 2011, Air Namibia received a N$1.6-billion government bailout 
package to fund a five-year turnaround plan. As part of this plan, Air Namibia completed a rationalization of its schedule in 2013 to bring capacity into line with demand across its network. 
4.181.  A number of international airlines provid e regular services to Windhoek under various 
agreements. Most foreign carriers have third and fourth freedom rights. In February 2015, flyafrica.com began the operation of daily flights from Windhoek to Johannesburg with plans to 
extend the network to Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. 
4.182.  Namibia is a signatory to the Yamoussoukro Decision relating to the liberalization of access 
to air transport markets in Africa. In line with this Decision, it has signed reciprocal agreements with South Africa, Zambia, the Republic of th e Congo, Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom.  
4.7.4  Tourism 
4.183.  Tourism makes a significant contributi on to Namibia's GDP and employment. In 2013, 
travel and tourism directly contributed 3% to GDP and 24,000 jobs (4.5% of total employment). 
With regard to the long-term growth potentia l for the period 2014-24, the World Travel and 
Tourism Council ranks Namibia among the world's fastest growing tourist destinations, with 
                                               
62 Bank of Namibia (2014).  WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  expected annual growth rates of 9.1% in terms of  travel and tourism's direct contribution to 
GDP.63 
4.184.  The National Tourism Policy was approved in December 2008. The Government recognizes 
tourism as a priority economic activity and its contribution to national development given its 
extensive multiplier effect and its role as an export business and generator of foreign exchange. 
The responsibility of planning and coordinating tourism development rests with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. The Namibian Touris m Board (NTB), established under the Namibia 
Tourism Board Act (No. 21 of 2000) is responsible for regulating the industry. Namibia has no 
restrictions related to market access or national treatment with respect to any modes of supply for hotels and restaurants or travel agencies and tour operators' services in its Schedule of Specific Commitments under the GATS.  
4.185.  Tour guides must be registered with the NTB. Registrations are valid for two years or 
another period to be determined by the Board. A tourism levy equivalent to 2% of accommodation and breakfast (or 1% on a full-board basis) is payable to the Namibia Tourism Board. Tourist 
activity operators must pay an application fee of N$1,000 plus N$250 for each vehicle, vessel or 
aircraft used, up to a maximum of N$10,000 (for eign tour operators pay N$10,000 plus N$500 for 
each vehicle registered to operate in Namibia). Registration fees are N$50 for each vehicle, vessel 
or aircraft used, to a maximum of N$2,000 for domestic operators (for foreign tour operators 
N$2,000 plus N$100 for each vehicle registered for conveying clients in Namibia).  
4.186.  Prices in the tourism industry are market determined. Taxation of tourism providers follows 
the normal provisions for taxation, i.e. companies or closed corporations pay 33% tax on profits 
while sole proprietors and partnerships pay income tax at the standard rates.  
4.187.   For the purposes of registration in terms of Section 20 of the Namibia Board Act, 2000 
(Act No. 21 of 2000), accommodation establishments are divided into the following 13 classes: 
backpackers' hostels; bed and breakfast establishments; campsites; camping and caravan parks; 
guest farms; guest houses; hotels; hotel pensions; lodges (other than tented lodges); resorts; rest camps; self-catering establishments; and permanent tented camps and tented lodges.  
4.188.  Under Namibia's GATS Schedule, there are no restrictions on foreign ownership of hotels 
and restaurants in Namibia.  
4.189.  Namibia Wildlife Resorts is a state-owned enterprise, mandated to run the tourism facilities 
within the protected areas of Namibia. The company was created through the Namibia Wildlife 
Resorts Company Act and has been in existence since 1998. The Namibian Government is also a 
shareholder in two hotels: the Windhoek Country Club and Resort and the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre.  
4.190.  The total number of tourist arrivals increased over the period reviewed (Table 4.15). 
Although the number of European tourists declined over the period due to the effects of the global 
economic crisis, arrivals from the region increased. 
Table 4.15 Tourism indicators, 2008-13 
 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 
Direct employment 20,700 21,100 21,500 21,900 22,900 23,100 
Number of tourists by 
nationality:       
 Angola 310,395 309,127 296,825 361,480 379,842 426,025 
 South Africa 243,038 285,779 277,655 272,930 269,393 277,182 
 Germany 81,543 81,974 87,072 79,721 80,127 79,551 
 Zambia 50,248 54,333 54,229 61,120 80,515 98,792 
 Zimbabwe 29,281 31,842 37,667 42,945 54,020 56,566 
 United Kingdom 28,111 28,039 25,717 21,584 21,035 23,185 
Total 742,616 791,094 753,498 839,780 884,932 961,301 
Mode of travel:       
 Air 237,261 286,170 282,355 281,468 291,256 320,685 
 Road 648,901 676,047 686,483 730,442 761,245 843,700 
                                               
63 World Travel and Tourism Council (2014). WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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   2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 
 Rail - - - - - - 
 Sea and river 8,948 - - - - - 
 Other - 17,957 15,260 15,320 10,165 11,657 
Source: Ministry of Environment and Tourism. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  5  APPENDIX TABLES 
Table A1.1 Merchandise imports by product group, 2008-13 
(US$ million and %) 
 2008  2009  2010  2011 2012 2013  
Total (US$ million) 4,689 6,208 5,980 6,457 7,132 7,575 
 (% of total) 
Total primary products 29.2 24.6 27.1 27.4 32.7 32.4 
  Agriculture 14.7 15.4 15.5 14.8 13.6 13.6 
   Food 14.0 14.8 14.9 14.1 13.0 13.0 
     0611 Sugars, beet/cane, raw, solid, no  added 
 flavour/colour 0.0 1.1 1.2 1.1 1.0 0.8 
     1121 Wine of fresh grapes (including fortified 
 wine) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.8 
     0819 Food waste, animal feeds, n.e.s. 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.8 0.7 
     0449 Other maize, unmilled 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.7 
     1122 Fermented bevera ges, n.e.s. (e.g., cider, 
 perry, mead) 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.5 0.6 
   Agricultural raw material 0.7 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.6 
  Mining 14.6 9.3 11.6 12.7 19.1 18.8 
   Ores and other minerals 0.6 0.7 1.1 1.6 5.6 6.8 
     2831 Copper ores and concentrates 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.9 6.3 
   Non-ferrous metals 0.4 0.8 1.3 2.1 1.5 2.2 
     6821 Copper anodes; alloys, unwrought 0.2 0.6 1.1 1.9 1.3 2.1 
   Fuels 13.6 7.7 9.2 9.0 12.0 9.9 
Manufactures 70.4 74.4 72.5 72.3 67.1 67.4 
  Iron and steel 2.0 2.5 2.3 2.3 2.2 1.9 
  Chemicals 10.9 9.8 10.6 11.6 9.2 8.3 
     5429 Medicaments, n.e.s. 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.8 1.4 1.1 
   Other semi-manufactures 14.4 13.8 14.7 15.0 14.7 14.1 
     6672 Diamonds (excl. industrial, sorted) not 
 mounted/set 2.8 1.7 3.1 2.7 5.0 5.4 
     6924 Reservoirs, tank s, vats of iron, steel or 
 aluminium, <= 300 litres 0.7 1.0 1.0 0.9 1.2 0.9 
     6996 Articles iron or steel, n.e.s. 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 
  Machinery and transport equipment 31.1 35.0 32.2 30.7 30.6 33.0 
   Power generating machines 0.6 0.5 0.7 0.8 0.4 0.4 
   Other non-electrical machinery 8.7 9.5 8.7 8.0 7.2 7.7 
     7232 Mechanical shovels, etc., self-propelled 0.9 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.3 
     7283 Other mineral working machines 0.9 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.7 
     Agricultural machinery and tractors 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.6 0.6 0.3 
   Office machines and telecommunication equipment 4.1 4.7 3.8 3.8 3.2 3.7 
     7643 Radio or television transmission apparatus 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.6 0.7 
   Other electrical machines 3.1 5.5 3.9 3.4 2.8 2.7 
   Automotive products 11.7 12.4 12.5 12.1 10.7 10.5 
     7812 Motor vehicles for the transport of persons, 
n.e.s. 6.1 7.1 6.9 6.5 5.9 5.0 
     7821 Goods vehicles 3.0 2.8 2.7 2.9 2.4 3.4 
     7843 Other motor vehicle parts and accessories of 
722, 781 to 783 1.5 1.5 1.7 1.7 1.4 1.3 
   Other transport equipment 2.9 2.5 2.6 2.7 6.2 8.0 
     7935 Special purpose vessels; floating docks 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 4.4 
     7937 Tugs and pusher craft 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.1 1.9 
  Textiles 1.9 1.6 1.3 1.4 1.0 0.9 
  Clothing 2.5 3.1 3.0 3.0 2.4 2.4 
  Other consumer goods 7.6 8.6 8.5 8.3 7.1 6.7 
Other 0.4 1.0 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 
Source: UNSD Comtrade database, SITC Rev.3. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  Table A1.2 Merchandise exports by prod uct group, including re-exports, 2008-13 
(US$ million and %) 
 2008  2009  2010  2011 2012 2013  
Total (US$ million) 4,729 5,871 5,848 5,901 5,377 6,337 
 (% of total) 
Total primary products 54.1 51.3 54.1 53.5 54.0 47.7 
  Agriculture 22.8 24.1 25.5 25.1 26.3 22.2 
   Food 22.3 23.7 24.8 24.4 25.5 21.4 
     0342 Fish, frozen (excluding fillets and minced fish) 6.9 6.1 5.5 6.7 8.3 7.9 
     0344 Fish fillets, frozen 2.0 3.4 5.0 3.9 3.3 2.6 
     1123 Beer made from malt (including ale, stout and 
 porter) 2.4 3.0 2.8 2.9 3.0 2.4 
     0011 Bovine animals, live 0.8 1.1 1.7 2.1 1.2 1.4 
     0121 Meat of sheep or goats 0.9 1.0 1.2 1.2 1.0 0.7 
     0112 Bovine meat, frozen 0.9 1.0 0.8 0.9 0.7 0.6 
   Agricultural raw material 0.4 0.4 0.7 0.7 0.8 0.8 
  Mining 31.4 27.2 28.5 28.4 27.7 25.5 
   Ores and other minerals 21.6 17.3 16.8 14.5 18.4 17.0 
     2861 Uranium ores and concentrates 15.7 12.2 12.5 10.4 11.4 10.1 
     2831 Copper ores and concentrates 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 3.3 3.4 
     2875 Zinc ores and concentrates 1.5 1.7 1.8 1.2 0.8 1.5 
     2783 Sodium chloride, etc. 0.5 1.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 
   Non-ferrous metals 9.3 9.1 10.4 12.5 8.4 7.4 
     6861 Zinc and zinc alloy, unwrought 5.8 4.7 6.0 5.5 5.1 4.3 
     6821 Copper anodes; alloys, unwrought 3.3 4.3 4.3 6.9 3.3 3.1 
   Fuels 0.4 0.8 1.3 1.3 0.9 1.1 
Manufactures 44.2 46.6 43.5 44.6 43.5 50.3 
  Iron and steel 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.3 
  Chemicals 0.8 1.1 0.9 0.7 2.6 0.6 
  Other semi -manufactures 18.0 17.5 22.1 23.6 27.0 22.9 
     6672 Diamonds (excl. industrial, sorted) not 
 mounted/set 16.5 13.5 20.5 22.0 25.0 21.1 
  Machinery and transport equipment 6.1 7.5 6.4 8.3 11.0 24.0 
   Power generating machines 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.7 
   Other non-electrical machinery 1.7 1.8 1.6 1.5 2.6 2.5 
     Agricultural machinery and tractors 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 
   Office machines and telecommunication equipment 0.5 0.7 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.6 
   Other electrical machines 0.4 0.6 0.7 0.4 0.3 0.4 
   Automotive products 2.6 3.4 2.8 3.0 4.3 4.8 
     7812 Motor vehicles fo r the transport of persons, 
 n.e.s. 1.5 2.0 1.6 1.3 1.9 2.3 
     7821 Goods vehicles 0.8 0.8 0.6 0.7 1.1 0.9 
     7843 Other motor vehi cle parts and accessories of 
 722, 781 to 783 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.6 0.6 0.6 
   Other transport equipment 0.7 0.8 0.6 2.6 2.8 15.0 
     7935 Special purpose vessels; floating docks 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 9.7 
     7937 Tugs and pusher craft 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.4 4.4 
  Textiles 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 
  Clothing 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 
  Other consumer goods 18.7 19.7 13.4 11.4 1.9 2.0 
Other 1.7 2.1 2.5 1.9 2.5 2.0 
Source: UNSD Comtrade database, SITC Rev.3. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  Table A1. 3 Merchandise imports by origin, 2008-13 
(US$ million and %) 
 2008  2009  2010  2011 2012 2013  
Total (US$ million) 4,689 6,208 5,980 6,457 7,132 7,575 
 (% of total) 
America 3.0 2.6 2.9 2.4 1.1 3.1 
 United States 2.0 1.4 1.2 0.8 0.6 1.9 
 Other America 0.9 1.2 1.7 1.6 0.4 1.2 
  Peru 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.7 
Europe 16.7 14.5 13.1 9.6 14.7 14.9 
 EU(28) 15.8 13.7 11.7 8.7 8.4 8.7 
  Denmark 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.1 1.6 
  United Kingdom 8.0 5.1 5.0 3.6 2.4 1.6 
  Germany 2.1 3.4 2.7 2.0 2.0 1.5 
  Italy 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.5 1.0 
  Bulgaria 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 
  The Netherlands 3.4 1.1 1.8 0.4 1.1 0.4 
  Latvia 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 
  Spain 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 
  France 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.6 0.4 0.3 
 EFTA 0.9 0.7 1.3 0.9 6.3 6.2 
  Switzerland 0.8 0.7 1.3 0.8 6.0 5.8 
  Norway 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.4 
 Other Europe 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) 0.2 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.0 
Africa 70.0 72.0 75.6 80.2 75.1 68.5 
  South Africa 67.8 69.8 72.4 75.8 69.7 61.8 
  Botswana 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.5 1.6 2.5 
  Zambia 0.3 0.7 1.3 2.1 1.6 2.1 
  United Republic of Tanzania 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 1.2 
Middle East 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.0 0.3 0.4 
Asia 8.8 9.4 6.2 6.4 6.1 9.7 
 China 3.3 5.3 3.4 4.1 4.0 3.1 
 Japan 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 
 Six East Asian Traders 1.1 1.4 1.1 0.7 1.1 1.3 
  Chinese Taipei 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 
 Other Asia 4.0 2.4 1.5 1.5 0.8 5.0 
  Marshall Islands 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 4.1 
  India 3.5 2.1 1.1 1.2 0.5 0.7 
Other 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.3 2.7 3.5 
Memo:       
  SACU 68.4 70.5 73.0 76.6 71.5 64.5 
Source: UNSD Comtrade database. WT/TPR/S/324/Rev.1 • Namibia 
 
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  Table A1.4 Merchandise exports by dest ination, including re-exports, 2008-13 
(US$ million and %) 
 2008  2009  2010  2011 2012 2013  
Total (US$ million) 4,729 5,871 5,848 5,901 5,377 6,337 
 (% of total) 
America 12.6 9.1 9.2 12.5 8.0 6.8 
 United States 5.5 4.5 4.6 7.0 3.7 3.4 
 Other America 7.1 4.6 4.7 5.5 4.3 3.4 
  Canada 7.1 4.3 4.2 4.8 4.0 3.1 
Europe 33.1 26.1 36.7 36.9 39.2 27.9 
 EU(28) 28.9 25.4 35.7 35.6 35.2 18.1 
  France 2.7 2.5 4.2 2.3 3.9 3.6 
  Spain 5.1 5.0 4.9 4.2 4.0 3.3 
  Belgium 1.1 1.0 1.5 5.6 8.2 2.8 
  United Kingdom 15.0 10.4 12.6 14.4 11.7 2.1 
  Denmark 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 2.0 
  Italy 1.4 1.2 4.6 3.2 2.7 1.3 
  Germany 1.0 1.1 1.8 1.4 1.7 1.1 
  The Netherlands 1.6 2.4 4.0 2.7 0.7 0.7 
 EFTA 4.2 0.7 1.0 1.3 3.9 9.8 
  Switzerland 4.2 0.5 0.9 1.3 3.8 8.8 
  Norway 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 1.0 
 Other Europe 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 
Africa 43.7 51.4 42.9 41.5 40.6 55.0 
  South Africa 31.8 33.8 29.0 29.1 17.4 26.7 
  Botswana 0.5 0.9 0.7 0.7 6.8 13.7 
  Angola 8.6 11.3 9.6 8.3 9.3 7.4 
  D.R. Congo 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.6 1.9 2.3 
  Zambia 0.6 1.0 0.6 0.6 1.5 2.0 
  Mozambique 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.5 0.6 1.0 
  Zimbabwe 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.8 0.8 
Middle East 1.5 0.5 1.3 0.8 0.7 0.8 
Asia 8.6 10.4 5.0 3.7 6.8 5.4 
 China 5.2 4.9 2.9 2.2 2.7 2.3 
 Japan 0.2 0.3 0.9 0.2 0.1 0.1 
 Six East Asian Traders 2.9 4.3 0.6 0.9 3.4 2.4 
  Singapore 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.7 1.9 
 Other Asia 0.3 0.9 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.7 
Other 0.5 2.3 4.8 4.5 4.6 4.0 
Memo:        
  SACU 32.4 34.8 29.7 29.8 24.2 40.4 
Source: UNSD Comtrade database.