All companies and close corporations in Namibia are registered with BIPA — the Business and Intellectual Property Authority. This guide walks through choosing a legal form, reserving a name, submitting the registration, and the equally important registrations that come after BIPA: tax with NamRA, Social Security, and your local authority.
Step 1: Choose your legal form
Most small Namibian businesses start as close corporations because the founding requirements are lighter, while businesses planning to raise capital or add corporate shareholders choose a (Pty) Ltd — CC members must be natural persons.
| Form | Best for | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Sole proprietor | One-person businesses starting out | No BIPA incorporation; you trade in your own name and are personally liable |
| Close corporation (CC) | Small owner-managed businesses | 1–10 natural-person members, simple founding statement, fewer formalities |
| Private company (Pty) Ltd | Growing businesses, outside investors | Shareholders and directors, memorandum & articles, more governance |
| External company (branch) | Foreign companies operating in Namibia | Registers the foreign entity's Namibian branch with BIPA |
Step 2: Reserve your business name
- Apply to BIPA to reserve the name (form CC8 for a close corporation, CM5 for a company), proposing alternatives in case your first choice is taken
- Name approval typically takes a few working days, and an approved reservation is valid for six months
- Check the BIPA register first so you don't propose names that are already taken or too similar to existing ones
Step 3: Submit the registration to BIPA
- Close corporation: file the CC1 founding statement with the approved name, member details, member contributions and business address, plus certified copies of members' IDs and a consent letter from the accounting officer
- Company: file the incorporation documents — memorandum and articles of association, notice of registered address, directors' consents and the prescribed CM forms
- Registration can be done at BIPA offices or through BIPA's online eServices portal; straightforward CC registrations are typically processed in about a week
- BIPA's official fees are modest and published on bipa.na — be aware that many advertised 'registration packages' are third-party agents' service fees, not BIPA's charges
Step 4: The registrations after BIPA
A BIPA certificate alone doesn't make you operational. Before trading (and certainly before employing anyone), complete the follow-on registrations:
- NamRA income tax registration — every entity needs a tax number; register on the ITAS portal
- VAT registration — mandatory once taxable supplies exceed N$1,000,000 in any 12-month period
- Import/export (customs) registration with NamRA, if you'll trade across borders
- Social Security Commission — compulsory once you employ your first worker (and register the employees too)
- PAYE registration as an employer with NamRA before running payroll
- Local authority fitness certificate — most municipalities require a registration/fitness certificate for business premises
- Industry-specific licences where applicable (liquor, transport, financial services, health, etc.)
Keep the paperwork alive
- File BIPA annual duties/returns to keep the entity in good standing — lapsing can lead to deregistration
- Keep beneficial ownership information current with BIPA, a requirement that is actively enforced
- Good standing certificates from BIPA, NamRA and the SSC are routinely required for tenders and bank facilities — staying current is much cheaper than catching up
Frequently asked questions
Where do I register a business in Namibia?
With BIPA, the Business and Intellectual Property Authority — at their offices or through the BIPA eServices online portal. BIPA handles name reservations, close corporations, companies and intellectual property.
Should I choose a close corporation or a (Pty) Ltd?
A close corporation is simpler and cheaper to run for 1–10 natural-person owners. Choose a private company (Pty) Ltd if you plan to have corporate shareholders, outside investors or more formal governance.
How long does business registration take in Namibia?
Name reservation typically takes a few working days and a straightforward close corporation registration about a week after that — longer if documents are incomplete. Follow-on registrations (NamRA, SSC, municipal) add time, so plan several weeks end to end.
What must I register after BIPA?
Income tax with NamRA (always), VAT once taxable supplies exceed N$1,000,000 in 12 months, PAYE and Social Security once you employ staff, a municipal fitness certificate for premises, and any industry-specific licences.
This guide is general information, not tax or legal advice. Rates and rules change — confirm current figures with NamRA, the Social Security Commission or your practitioner before filing.
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