Ten small businesses Namibians start, and the paperwork each one actually needs
From a guesthouse to a cleaning company to microlending: which ones need a licence beyond registration, and which can start trading this week.
Every business on this list starts the same way: register it, get a tax number, and register with Social Security when you employ anyone.
Four need a sector licence on top: accommodation (NTB), microlending (NAMFISA), security (the security regulation board) and anything selling liquor or cooked food (liquor licence or municipal permits).
The ones that win government work also need Good Standing certificates and an SME certificate.
The base layer, for all ten
A registered Close Corporation or company, a NamRA tax registration, and Social Security registration once you have an employee. A business bank account follows from those. Sole traders can trade without registering a company, but most banks, landlords and every tender will ask for one.
1. Cleaning services
No sector licence. Low equipment cost and steady demand from offices, schools and councils, which buy cleaning through tenders. Get tender-ready early: Good Standings and an SME certificate.
2. Security services
Security businesses and their guards must be registered under the Security Enterprises and Security Officers Act of 1998 before trading. Big demand from the same buyers as cleaning.
3. Guesthouse, B&B or Airbnb
Paid accommodation must be registered with the Namibia Tourism Board, including rooms let through Airbnb. Registration is by category, and the category decides the requirements.
4. Tour or shuttle operator
Also NTB-registered, and vehicles carrying paying passengers need the right road transport permits.
5. Microlending
Lending money for profit is regulated: a microlender must be registered with NAMFISA under the Microlending Act of 2018 before it lends a dollar.
6. Food: kapana stand, catering, home bakery
No national licence, but the local authority's health requirements apply to anyone preparing food for sale. Check with your town council before you start.
7. Shebeen, bar or bottle store
Selling liquor needs a licence under the Liquor Act. Expect the application to take time; plan the opening date around it.
8. Car import and resale
No dealer licence for small volumes, but customs registration as an importer and the 12-year age rule apply. We covered the steps in our car import guide.
9. Supply and delivery to government
Stationery, PPE, cleaning materials, food parcels. No sector licence, but it lives and dies on tender compliance: current Good Standings, an SME certificate and registration on NamBid.
10. Small construction and maintenance
Painting, plumbing, paving, fencing. Larger public works ask for proof of similar work done, and the tender document will say exactly what; small maintenance tenders usually just need the standard compliance papers.
The order that saves time
- Register the business.
- Tax and Social Security registration.
- Sector licence, if your business is on the list above.
- Bank account.
- If you will tender: Good Standings and SME certificate.
Sources
- Namibia Tourism Board: registration of tourism businesses
- NAMFISA: microlending
- Microlending Act 7 of 2018 (NamibLII)
- Security Enterprises and Security Officers Act 19 of 1998 (NamibLII)
- Liquor Act 6 of 1998 (NamibLII)
- Public Procurement Act 15 of 2015 (NamibLII)
All sources accessed 5 November 2026. Rules change: confirm with the authority named before you act.
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.