4 May 2026 — Chrimson Consultants

Register a Company in Namibia as a Foreigner: Complete 2026 Guide

Foreigners can register a 100% foreign-owned Namibian Private Company (Pty Ltd) with no minimum share capital and no mandatory resident director requirement. The BIPA company registration itself can be completed entirely remotely — you do not need to set foot in Namibia to receive your Certificate of Incorporation. This guide covers every step, document, and common misconception for international investors in 2026, including the one requirement most foreign investors miss: the Public Officer.

Why Register a Company in Namibia?

Namibia is one of Africa's most stable and investor-friendly jurisdictions. For international investors and diaspora looking to establish a legal business presence on the continent, Namibia offers a compelling combination of political stability, legal clarity, and economic access.

Core Requirements for Foreign Investors

Registering a Namibian Private Company (Pty Ltd) as a foreigner is straightforward. The Companies Act No. 28 of 2004 imposes no nationality requirements on shareholders or directors. Here is what you actually need:

Requirement	Details
A company name	Unique, BIPA-compliant, ending in "(Pty) Ltd"
At least one director	Can be a foreign national — no Namibian director required by statute
Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI)	Drafted by Chrimson; defines your company purpose, share structure, and governance
Registered office in Namibia	A physical street address in Namibia (not a PO Box). Chrimson provides this service.
Public Officer (for NamRA)	A Namibian-resident individual responsible for tax compliance — not a director or owner. Chrimson can fulfil this role.

Documents Required from Foreign Investors

You will need to provide the following for each foreign director and shareholder:

• Notarised copy of your passport (photo/bio page)
• Proof of residential address from your home country (utility bill or bank statement, dated within three months)
• Completed consent to act as director (Form CM29 — Chrimson provides and pre-populates this form)

Once your documents are notarised and scanned, Chrimson prepares and submits all BIPA forms on your behalf. You do not need to be physically present in Namibia for BIPA registration.

The 5-Phase Registration Process

From the time you engage Chrimson Consultants to the date your Certificate of Incorporation is issued, the process typically takes 3–5 weeks. Here is how it works phase by phase:

The Public Officer Requirement — What Most Foreign Investors Miss

The most misunderstood aspect of Namibian company law for foreign investors is the Public Officer requirement. Many online sources conflate this with a "resident director" requirement. They are entirely different legal roles.

What is a Public Officer?

A Public Officer is a Namibian-resident individual nominated by a company to take responsibility for the company's NamRA tax compliance — submitting tax returns, handling NamRA correspondence, and ensuring all filing obligations are met on time. The Public Officer does not own any shares in the company and has no management authority.

This role is routinely fulfilled by a Namibian registered accountant, attorney, or a professional services firm. Chrimson Consultants is available to serve as Public Officer for foreign-owned companies as part of our registration packages.

Opening a Namibian Business Bank Account as a Foreigner

It is essential to understand the clear distinction between company registration (fully remote) and business banking (requires in-person):

Stage	Remote?	Notes
BIPA company registration	Yes — 100% remote	Notarised passport copies accepted. No visit to Namibia required.
NamRA / SSC registration	Yes — Chrimson handles it	Chrimson submits on your behalf using the Certificate of Incorporation.
FNB / Standard Bank account	No — requires in-person visit	All Namibian banks require a face-to-face FICA/KYC interview for new business accounts opened by foreign nationals.

What to Expect at the Bank

When you visit Windhoek for your bank account, you will need your original passport, your Certificate of Incorporation, a certified copy of your MOI, proof of your business address in Namibia, and completed FNB application forms (Chrimson pre-populates these for you). FNB Business and Standard Bank have the most experience handling accounts for foreign-owned Namibian companies.

Tax Obligations for Foreign-Owned Companies in Namibia

A Namibian-registered company is a separate legal entity and pays corporate income tax in Namibia on its Namibian-sourced income, regardless of where shareholders are based.

Tax	Rate	Notes
Corporate Income Tax	30% (dropping to 28% in FY 2026/27)	Applied to taxable profit from Namibian-source income
Non-Resident Shareholders Tax (NRST)	10%	Withholding tax applied to dividends paid to non-resident shareholders
VAT	15%	Registration required once annual taxable turnover exceeds N$500,000

Your company must file provisional income tax returns twice per year (August and February) and submit an annual income tax return. NamRA's online e-Services portal simplifies these filings. Chrimson can coordinate all tax compliance through our accounting partnership network.

Registration Costs

Government registration fees are set by BIPA and NamRA and are updated periodically. Rather than publish specific fee amounts that may be outdated, we recommend contacting Chrimson Consultants for a current, transparent all-inclusive quote covering all government fees and professional services.

What Chrimson Consultants Handles For You

When you engage Chrimson for your Namibian company registration, we manage the entire process from start to finish so you can focus on your business — not paperwork:

• Company name research and BIPA reservation — availability check and immediate reservation of your preferred name
• Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) drafting — tailored to your specific business activities and share structure
• All BIPA registration forms — CM1, CM5, CM29, share register, and supporting schedules
• Registered office address — a physical Windhoek street address for all official BIPA and NamRA correspondence
• BIPA submission and follow-up — we track progress and resolve any BIPA queries directly, keeping you updated throughout
• Public Officer appointment — Chrimson serves as Public Officer for NamRA tax compliance (available as an included or add-on service)
• NamRA income tax registration — obtaining your company's tax number (ITN)
• SSC employer registration — if you plan to hire Namibian employees
• FNB business bank account coordination — pre-populating all banking forms and advising on your in-person visit
• BIPA beneficial ownership registration — mandatory for all Namibian companies per 2023 regulations
• Annual return compliance reminders — keeping your company in BIPA good standing year after year

Common Mistakes Foreign Investors Make

1. Assuming you need to travel to Namibia for BIPA registration

You do not. BIPA registration is fully remote when documents are correctly notarised. Only the business bank account opening requires an in-person visit to Windhoek.

2. Getting an apostille instead of standard notarisation

An apostille is not wrong, but it is not required for BIPA. It costs more and takes longer than standard notarisation by a Public Notary. Save the apostille requirement for jurisdictions that explicitly demand it — Namibia's BIPA does not.

3. Confusing the Public Officer role with a resident director

These are entirely different legal roles. You do not need a Namibian resident as a company director. You do need a Public Officer for NamRA tax compliance — Chrimson Consultants fulfils this role as part of our registration packages.

4. Registering a Close Corporation (CC) instead of a Pty Ltd

CCs are a legacy structure and are not recommended for foreign investors. They cannot have more than 10 members, cannot raise investment capital via share issuance, and are increasingly disfavoured by banks, institutional clients, and tender committees. A Private Company (Pty Ltd) is the correct entity for a foreign-owned business.

5. Skipping NamRA tax registration after BIPA

Your BIPA Certificate of Incorporation does not automatically register your company for tax. NamRA registration is a separate mandatory step. Without a tax number (ITN), you cannot open a Namibian bank account, legally employ staff, or invoice Namibian clients on a formal basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreigner own 100% of a Namibian company?

Yes. The Companies Act No. 28 of 2004 permits 100% foreign ownership of a Private Company (Pty Ltd) in most sectors. Certain sectors — including broadcasting, small-scale mining, and specific retail categories — carry Namibian ownership or participation requirements. Your intended industry will be assessed during the free consultation with Chrimson.

Do I need to travel to Namibia to register a company?

No — not for the BIPA company registration. With correctly notarised passport copies, Chrimson Consultants handles the entire BIPA, NamRA, and SSC registration process remotely via email and WhatsApp. A visit to Windhoek is required only to open your FNB or Standard Bank business account, as all Namibian banks require an in-person FICA/KYC interview for foreign nationals opening business accounts.

Does Namibia require an apostille on passport copies for company registration?

No. BIPA requires passport copies to be notarised by a Public Notary in your home country — not apostilled. Notarisation is a standard service available at any local notary office or law firm and is typically far quicker and cheaper than obtaining an apostille. Namibia does not require apostille for BIPA registration.

What is a Public Officer and do I need one?

A Public Officer is a Namibian-resident individual (typically an accountant, attorney, or professional services firm) nominated by your company to handle NamRA tax correspondence and ensure filing obligations are met. This is not a directorial or ownership role. It is required for NamRA registration. Chrimson Consultants is available to serve as your Public Officer — contact us for details.

How long does it take to register a company in Namibia as a foreigner?

From the time you engage Chrimson to receipt of your Certificate of Incorporation, expect 3–5 weeks: name reservation (2–3 days), document preparation (3–7 days, running concurrently with your notarisation), and BIPA processing (14–21 days). NamRA tax registration follows within 5–7 days of the certificate being issued.

What is the corporate tax rate in Namibia for foreign-owned companies?

The standard corporate income tax rate is currently 30% and is scheduled to decrease to 28% in financial year 2026/27 per Namibia's Budget announcement. Non-resident shareholders pay a 10% withholding tax on dividends paid from the company. VAT at 15% applies when annual taxable turnover exceeds N$500,000.

How do I get started with Chrimson Consultants?

WhatsApp us on +264 81 712 1176 or email hello@chrimsoncc.com. We offer a free 15-minute consultation to understand your business needs, recommend the right structure, and provide a fixed all-inclusive quote. Most registrations are initiated within 24 hours of the first consultation.

Need help registering your business in Namibia?

Chrimson Consultants handles company registration, BIPA compliance, NAMRA tax registration, and tender-readiness for Namibian businesses. Contact us today.