CEOs push for Namibian business reforms

Namibia’s top business leaders have called for faster government action to remove barriers affecting investment, warning that slow processes and regulatory challenges are making it harder for companies to operate and expand.

The call was made during a CEOs’ Roundtable hosted by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) and FirstRand Namibia, where close to 40 business executives discussed ways to improve Namibia’s competitiveness.

The meeting followed Namibia’s decline in the 2026 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, where the country ranked 69th out of 70 economies.

The report showed that Namibia’s competitiveness score dropped from 37.48 in 2025 to 28.48 in 2026, with declines recorded in business efficiency, government efficiency, infrastructure and economic performance.

NIPDB Acting CEO Julia Muetudhana said competitiveness plays an important role in attracting investment and creating opportunities for businesses.

“Competitiveness is about Namibia’s ability to create an environment in which businesses can invest, grow, innovate and compete successfully both locally and internationally,” she said.

She added that Namibia must move from identifying challenges to implementing solutions.

“Competitiveness is a shared responsibility. We must move from measurement to action,” she said.

FirstRand Namibia CEO Conrad Dempsey said investors consider how easy it is to operate in a country before making investment decisions.

“How easy is it to create value in Namibia compared with somewhere else? Every significant investment decision begins there,” he said.

During the discussions, business leaders raised concerns about lengthy government approval processes, complicated immigration procedures, regulatory requirements and delays in service delivery.

They said these challenges increase the cost of doing business and can discourage investment.

The CEOs recommended faster policy implementation, improved coordination between government institutions, and better use of digital systems to reduce delays.

National Planning Commission executive director I-Ben Nashandi said Namibia’s competitiveness ranking should be seen as a call to action.

“The current competitiveness rating is a call to action. We commit to NDP6 implementation to ensure we derive outcomes,” Nashandi said.

NIPDB and FirstRand Namibia will compile the roundtable recommendations into an advisory note for Cabinet, aimed at improving Namibia’s business environment and restoring its competitiveness.

-pmukokobi@nepc.com.na

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