Regulators

Anti-Corruption Commission	The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was created under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act (Act No.8 of 2003) with the aim of preventing and punishing corruption. The Director General and Deputy Director Generals are appointed by the National Assembly upon the nomination of the President. The ACC publishes an annual report on its activities. The first and current Director General of the ACC is Mr Paulus Noa who was reappointed for fourth five-year term from July 2021.
Bank of Namibia	The Bank of Namibia is Namibia’s central bank and, as such, performs all the usual functions and exercises all the usual powers of a central bank including the conduct of monetary policy and the setting of interest rates, the management of the exchange rate and foreign exchange reserves, and the regulation of the country’s banking system. Namibia belongs to the Common Monetary Area (CMA) with South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini and the South African Rand (ZAR) continues to be legal tender. The Bank of Namibia is the public agency charged with administering Namibia’s foreign exchange controls which are important for companies which are funded by foreign capital or engaged in foreign trade. The Governor of the Bank of Namibia is currently Mr Johannes !Gawaxab who was first appointed on 1 June 2020 and then for a full five-year term from 1 January 2022.
Business and Intellectual Property Authority	The Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) is an agency of the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade established under the Business and Intellectual Property Authority Act (Act No. 8 of 2016) and is the focal point for the registration, administration and protection of businesses, commercial and industrial property rights as well as the legal depository of information, documentation and data required to be lodged under its legislation. Ms Vivienne Katjiuongua is currently BIPA’s CEO.
Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia	Telecommunications, broadcasting and postal services are regulated by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) under the Communications Act (Act No.8 of 2009) which also regulates the use and allocation of radio spectrum and the .na domain name. CRAN’s current CEO is Ms Emilia Nghikembua whose term runs from 1 January 2021.
Employment Equity Commission	Namibia’s history of discrimination under Apartheid prior to Independence led to the creation of the Employment Equity Commission (EEC) under the Affirmative Action (Employment) Act (Act No.29 of 1998). The EEC monitors employment patterns of all employers with 25 or more employees and can impose penalties where there is clear evidence of failure to comply with legal requirements. Mr Otniel Podewiltz is currently the EEC’s Acting Executive Director.
Employment Services Bureau	The Namibian Integrated Employment Information System (NIEIS) operates as an Employment Services Bureau created under the Employment Services Act (Act No.8 of 2011). The Bureau’s role is to ensure it is notified by designated public and private employers of any vacancies and new positions and to give consideration in good faith to candidates proposed by the Bureau.
Electricity Control Board	The Electricity Control Board (ECB) was established by the Electricity Act (Act No.4 of 2007) and regulates the awarding of licences for the production, transmission and distribution of electricity and also the electricity tariffs that may be charged. Mr Robert Kahimise was appointed CEO from 1 April 2023.
Environmental Commissioner	The post of Environmental Commissioner was created under the Environment Management Act (Act No.7 of 2007). Investment projects which, in the view of the Environmental Commissioner, are associated with potential environment impacts must prepare environmental plans which must be submitted to the Environmental Commissioner for approval and the award of an Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) prior to receiving permission to go ahead. ECCs must be renewed every three years. Mr Timoteus Mufeti was appointed Environmental Commissioner from 19 March 2020.
Namibia Competition Commission	The Namibia Competition Commission (NaCC) was created under the Competition Act (Act No.2 of 2003) to safeguard and promote competition in the Namibian market. Foreign mergers or takeovers involving Namibian entities will generally be referred to the NaCC which will charge a fee for its services. The NaCC’s CEO is Mr Vitalis Ndalikokule who was first appointed on 2 March 2017.
Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority	The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (NAMFISA) was created under the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority Act (Act No.3 of 2001). NAMFISA regulates providers of non-banking financial services including the Namibian Stock Exchange, stock-brokers, asset managers, life insurance and insurance companies, and micro-lenders. Mr Kenneth Matomola was reappointed CEO for a second five-year term ending 31 July 2026.
Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB)	The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) was established by President Hage Geingob in January 2021 as a Section 21 Company in the Office of the President overseen by an Advisory Board taking over the functions of the Namibia Investment Centre housed in the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade. The NIPDB serves as a “one stop shop” for investors providing investors with a wide range of support. Ms Nangula Uaandja was appointed its first CEO from 1 January 2021.
Namibia Revenue Agency (Inland Revenue and Customs & Excise)	The Directorate of Inland Revenue within the Ministry of Finance is the public agency responsible for administering Namibia’s domestic tax laws and raising revenue for the government. The Directorate of Customs & Excise within the Ministry of Finance is the public agency responsible for administering Namibia’s trade and making sure import and export duties are collected within the context of Namibia’s membership of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). The Namibia Revenue Agency (NAMRA) was established under the Namibia Revenue Agency Act (Act No.12 of 2017). Mr Sam Shivute was appointed CEO from 28 September 2021.
Namibia Tourism Board	The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) was established under the Namibia Tourism Board Act (Act No.21 of 2000) and is responsible for marketing Namibia as a tourist destination and also for the registration of tourism businesses and the collection of statistics on the tourism industry. Mr Bonnie Mbidzo was appointed Acting CEO on 1 December 2023.
Namibia Training Authority	The Namibia Training Authority (NTA) was established under the Vocational Education and Training Act (Act No.1 of 2008). In 2014, as part of its mandate to promote skills and training, the NTA introduced a vocational education and training levy on the payroll of companies above a certain size which can be claimed back for approved skills development initiatives. The NTA’s CEO is Mr Erick Fundua Nenghwanya with effect from 1 April 2024.
Office of the Labour Commissioner	Employment in Namibia is regulated under the Labour Act (Act No.10 of 2007) which makes provision for the Office of the Labour Commissioner within the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation. The Labour Commissioner oversees the implementation of the Labour Act, advises on labour issues, acts as conciliator and arbitrator, and promotes harmonious industrial relations. Ms Kyliki Sihlala is currently the acting Labour Commissioner.
Office of the Mining Commissioner	The Office of the Mining Commissioner, located within the Ministry of Mines and Energy, regulates the mining sector as laid out under the Minerals (Prospecting and Mining) Act (Act No.33 of 1992). This involves the awarding of non-exclusive and exclusive prospecting, exploration and mining licences. The Act also makes provision for a tripartite Minerals Board of Namibia the aim of which is to advise the Minister on mining matters. The Act was substantially amended in 2008 to allow for the imposition of mining royalties on gross revenues. Mrs Isabella Kandjii-Chirchir was appointed Mining Commissioner from 28 October 2022.
Social Security Commission	The Social Security Commission (SSC) was created under the Social Security Act (Act No.34 of 1994). The SSC administers Namibia’s compulsory system of Maternity leave, Sick leave, and Death (MSD) benefits to which employers and employees are obliged to contribute. The SSC also runs the Employment Compensation Fund established under the Employees Compensation Amendment Act of 1995 which provides compensation in the event of injury or death caused by industrial injuries or diseases. Mr Kapara Tjivikua is currently the SSC’s CEO.