The Ministry of International Relations and Trade (MIRT) has announced an extension of the deadline for public comments on the Namibia Investment Promotion Bill (NIPB) and its accompanying regulations.
Nationwide consultations, which were initially due to close on 12 December 2025, have now been extended to 31 January 2026.
According to MIRT, the extension was granted due to the complexity and scope of the bill, which differs significantly from previous drafts and carries wide-ranging implications for investors and the broader economy.
“This letter serves to notify you that the feedback period on the NIPB has been extended. The reason is that the bill and supporting documents are complex and extensive, differ significantly from the previous draft, and have very far-reaching implications,” the ministry said.
MIRT said Namibia is expected to table the revised Investment Promotion Bill in Parliament in March 2026, once all written submissions have been reviewed and incorporated into an updated draft.
The ministry noted that the bill includes a strengthened monitoring framework, clearer procedures for investor dispute resolution, and alignment with regional and continental policy frameworks, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Investment.
Consultations are continuing with the private sector, government ministries, agencies and other stakeholders.
MIRT added that the proposed legislation is intended to provide greater certainty for investors, addressing the gap created by the absence of updated investment legislation for more than a decade.
The ministry said regional consultations have raised concerns from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), many of which feel exposed when competing with better-resourced foreign operators.
To address these concerns, MIRT said the bill introduces sector designation tools aimed at protecting Namibian-owned enterprises, particularly at SME level.
In addition, the ministry said the draft regulations propose a clearer and more coherent incentive framework. Measures under consideration include the establishment of an Incentives Committee to guide the design and application of tax and non-tax incentives, faster permitting for qualifying projects, targeted support for high-impact investments, and requirements for skills transfer and domestic value addition.
