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Monday, 8 June 2026
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Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Business and Intellectual Property Authority

Also known as: Bipa · Business and Intellectual Property (Bipa) One Stop Centre

Authority that operates a One-Stop Service Centre for business registration and intellectual property services; President visited in May 2026 to assess service delivery and investor responsiveness.

2022-02-262026-06-08
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. May 2026

  2. Informanté

    The BIPA One-Stop Centre forms part of government's broader efforts to enhance efficiency and strengthen investment facilitation

    Source

    “The BIPA One-Stop Centre forms part of government's broader efforts to enhance efficiency, strengthen investment facilitation, and improve Namibia's ease of doing business framework.”

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah inspects BIPA One-Stop Centre to assess service delivery progress
  3. April 2026

  4. The Namibian

    Business and Intellectual Property Authority concluded memorandum of agreement with ministry to support women entrepreneurs

    Source

    “A memorandum of agreement with the Business and Intellectual Property Authority was concluded to support women entrepreneurs, and the sustainable villages initiative continued with activities such as de-bushing and borehole drilling.”

    Minister Emma Kantema presents gender equality and child welfare budget in National Assembly
  5. March 2026

  6. The Namibian

    Business and Intellectual Property Authority have made meaningful progress in digitising processes

    Source

    “Institutions such as the Business and Intellectual Property Authority, the Namibia Revenue Agency and the Social Security Commission have made meaningful progress in digitising their processes.”

    When Policy Moves Slowly, Innovation Suffers

  7. New Era

    Business and Intellectual Property Authority is working with authorities to finalise copyright regulations

    Source

    “Authorities are working with the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) to finalise the regulations, with support from Unesco.”

    Artists call for fairness in the NAMAs

  8. The Namibian

    Business and Intellectual Property Authority is questioned whether its Act offers enough protection to traders

    Source

    “We must ask whether the Business and Intellectual Property Authority Act and the Competition Act offer enough protection to traders.”

    Copyright And Competition: Whose Burden?

  9. The Namibian

    Business and Intellectual Property Authority hosted a workshop on the draft copyright bill in Windhoek

    Source

    “Shitana raised the issue during a recent workshop on the draft copyright bill, hosted by the Business and Intellectual Property Authority in Windhoek.”

    Nascam defends N$2 royalty rates
  10. February 2026

  11. The Namibian

    Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) signed an agreement to support the EntreprenHER programme

    Source

    “The ministry and the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) yesterday also signed an agreement to support the programme.”

    Gender ministry empowers1 485 women through skills

  12. The Namibian

    Business and Intellectual Property Authority signed an agreement to support the programme

    Source

    “The ministry and the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) on Thursday signed an agreement to support the programme.”

    Gender ministry empowers 1 485 women

  13. The Namibian

    Business and Intellectual Property Authority says Leobeer Estates Fifteen CC is 100% owned by Hatuikulipi

    Source

    “The Business and Intellectual Property Authority says the company is 100% owned by Hatuikulipi.”

    Fishrot accused Tamson Hatuikulipi’s N$4.5 million Windhoek mansion falls into ruin

  14. The Namibian

    Business and Intellectual Property Authority announced mass deregistration of about 137,000 businesses for non-compliance

    Source

    “Last year, the Business and Intellectual Property Authority announced the mass deregistration of about 137 000 businesses if they fail to comply with beneficial ownership requirements.”

    Namibia on track to exit greylist
Society

Woman accused of defrauding construction company appears in court

The News

Charmaine Gous, a former accountant at Pepe Construction Lodge Builder & Outdoor Decking, appeared in Windhoek Magistrate's Court accused of defrauding the company of N$3.5 million. She is out on bail and the matter has been postponed to 11 August 2026 to allow the State to finalise investigations.

Why it matters

High-profile fraud case of N$3.5m theft from construction company proceeds through courts, highlighting accountability for white-collar crime.

29 May 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 29 May

  1. Woman accused of defrauding construction company appears in court

    Charmaine Gous, a former accountant at Pepe Construction Lodge Builder & Outdoor Decking, appeared in Windhoek Magistrate's Court accused of defrauding the company of N$3.5 million. She is out on bail and the matter has been postponed to 11 August 2026 to allow the State to finalise investigations.

    29 May 2026 · Informanté →

Wednesday 20 May

  1. Nust security tender challenged over false employee claims

    PIS Security Services has filed a review application at the High Court challenging a N$40 million three-year security contract awarded to Novo Security Services CC in October 2025, alleging that eight active Namibian police officers were falsely presented as employees and managers of Novo in its bid.

    20 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Sunday 17 May

  1. Windhoek investment firm WMS collapses amid forex trading losses

    Wealth Management Solutions, a Windhoek financial advisory firm, has applied for voluntary liquidation after losing money in foreign exchange trading, with clients fearing millions in losses. The firm collected funds from Namibian investors and pensioners for forex investments and had placed N$17 million with IJG Securities, which says those funds are safe.

    17 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 16 May

  1. President inspects BIPA One-Stop Centre to assess service delivery

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the Business and Intellectual Property Authority One-Stop Service Centre to assess operational progress and efforts to improve ease of doing business in Namibia. She expressed satisfaction with progress and emphasised the centre's role in reducing administrative bottlenecks and creating a conducive business environment.

    16 May 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Namfisa appoints three senior officials to strengthen operations

    The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority (Namfisa) has announced appointments of Diana Katjiuongua as head of strategy and projects (effective 1 April), Matheus Iiyambula as FinTech specialist (effective 1 March), and one other senior official to strengthen its strategy, technology and financial innovation functions.

    12 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Minister Kantema presents N$417.2m gender equality and child welfare budget

    The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has been allocated N$417.2 million for the 2026/2027 financial year to advance gender equity, child protection, and women's economic empowerment across Namibia. In the past year, the ministry supported 347 survivors of gender-based violence and trafficking, accommodated 329 street children in boarding schools, and expanded early childhood development enrolment from 110,726 to 126,213 across the country.

    15 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 April

  1. Accounting intern builds career foundation at NEAB

    Tracey Goagoses, recently appointed as an accounting assistant intern at the Namibian Estate Agent Board, is gaining experience in finance and bookkeeping while pursuing her goal of becoming a chartered accountant.

    2 April 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Thursday 26 March

  1. Slow regulatory systems hinder Namibia's entrepreneurship and job creation

    Namibia has strong policies and youth development programmes, but slow implementation and bureaucratic delays undermine entrepreneurship and economic growth. The author argues for digitisation, clearer timelines, and faster regulatory processes—not deregulation—to match the pace of modern business and unlock economic opportunity.

    26 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 23 March

  1. Musicians demand fairness, support in revived NAMAs

    Namibian artists have called for fair prize structures, better professional support, and financial literacy training as the government consults on reviving the Namibia Annual Music Awards, which were discontinued in 2020. The Arts Directorate is also advancing an updated copyright law to protect musicians and other creatives in the digital age.

    23 March 2026 · New Era →

Monday 16 March

  1. Namibia must strengthen governance before oil revenue flows

    The Institute for Public Policy Research warns that Namibia faces governance risks as it prepares for oil production, citing lack of transparency in petroleum licensing, insufficient beneficial ownership disclosure, and weak local content oversight as key areas needing reform before the expected investment decisions from TotalEnergies and Mopane projects. Addressing these challenges through the Access to Information Act and digital transparency could help Namibia avoid the "resource curse" while ensuring oil revenues benefit communities rather than political elites.

    16 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 8 March

  1. Copyright and trademark enforcement weak, Namibian law insufficient

    Copyright infringement and trademark abuse are widespread in Namibia despite legal protections, with artists replicating songs without permission and businesses using deceptive marks to mislead consumers. The author argues that existing laws are inadequately enforced and that victims lack affordable remedies, leaving them to bear costly legal action.

    8 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 2 March

  1. Nascam defends royalty payout model amid musician concerns

    The Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music has defended its royalty distribution system after a parliament member questioned reports of local musicians earning as little as N$2 per broadcast play. Nascam says the figure is not a fixed rate but is calculated based on total royalties collected from music users and distributed through an automated system, though it acknowledges a need to amend legislation to better address digital platforms and online usage.

    2 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 26 February

  1. MP Shitana criticizes minimal music royalties and missing ISRC system

    Namibian musicians earn as little as N$2 per broadcast play, a rate unchanged since independence, according to MP Frederick Shitana. He called for a national International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) system to help local artists earn from digital platforms and said Namibia's reliance on South Africa for ISRC registration disadvantages creators.

    26 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 24 February

  1. Gender ministry trains 1,485 women entrepreneurs through UN programme

    The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has empowered 1,485 women with entrepreneurial skills through the EntreprenHER programme, funded by UN Women, which provides digital and financial literacy training to support women micro-entrepreneurs. The programme, now in its third phase across Namibia, South Africa and Botswana, has supported over 2,400 women-owned micro-enterprises, with the ministry now exploring partnerships to advance to phase four.

    24 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 February

  1. Gender ministry trains 1,485 women entrepreneurs through EntreprenHER

    The Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has empowered 1,485 women in entrepreneurial skills via the EntreprenHER programme, which provides digital and financial literacy training and market access support. The UN-funded initiative, now in phase 3, has supported over 2,400 micro-enterprises across Namibia, South Africa, and Botswana, with the ministry exploring partnerships for further expansion.

    20 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Fishrot accused's N$4.5m Windhoek mansion deteriorates under court restraint

    An unfinished N$4.5 million house in Windhoek owned by Fishrot-accused Tamson Hatuikulipi is falling into disrepair, with structural damage and stolen materials, while court-appointed curators consider how to preserve the property's value under a 2020 asset restraint order related to the corruption case.

    20 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 February

  1. Namibia completes AML/CFT reforms to exit FATF greylist

    Namibia has met all requirements to exit the Financial Action Task Force greylist following a plenary meeting in February, with the FATF accepting that the country has remedied all 13 deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework. An on-site assessment is scheduled for April, with results to be presented at the June FATF meeting.

    17 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Only 45% of Namibian businesses comply with statutory obligations

    The Namibian Corporate Governance Framework requires registered businesses to maintain continuous compliance including beneficial ownership declarations and annual financial submissions, yet only 45% of the 242,417 active entities on the business register meet these obligations as of 3Q2025/26. Low compliance levels pose risks to Namibia's reputation internationally and may expose the country to enhanced Financial Action Task Force monitoring for failing to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.

    17 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 6 February

  1. Parliament calls for stronger natural resources policies and funding

    Namibia's Parliamentary Standing Committee on Natural Resources has recommended stronger policies, funding, and inter-ministerial collaboration to unlock the country's resource potential and align sector strategies with national development priorities including Vision 2030. The mining sector contributed 13.3% to GDP in 2024, while the government received N$7.32 billion in mining revenue, but challenges persist in land reform, energy, and conservation funding.

    6 February 2026 · New Era →

  2. Central Elite Social Volleyball League launches February 14

    The Central Elite Social Volleyball League, a nonprofit social volleyball league rooted in community responsibility, will officially launch on 14 February with first matches beginning 21 February and running through November. The league, a collaborative effort among government and educational institutions, aims to strengthen social bonds, promote wellness, and support Katutura State Hospital through CSR activities.

    6 February 2026 · New Era →

  3. Bureaucrats unfit to lead state-owned enterprises, expert argues

    An opinion piece argues that appointing bureaucrats to manage state-owned enterprises has led to inefficiency and taxpayer bailouts across Africa and Namibia, and that public enterprises perform better when led by individuals with business-oriented mindsets rather than public servants focused on policy delivery.

    6 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 26 January

  1. Former refugees association apologises for harassment of NBC journalists

    The Former Refugees Repatriation Association Namibia has apologised after its members allegedly verbally abused and obstructed NBC journalists at Swapo headquarters in Windhoek last week. Association president Matheus Nangolo said the actions were those of individuals acting in their personal capacity and do not reflect the organisation's values.

    26 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 24 January

  1. President demands faster responses to investors at Bipa centre

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has instructed officials at the Business and Intellectual Property Authority's One Stop Centre to speed up their responses to investors, warning that delays are driving business away from Namibia and that decisions should take days, not weeks. She stressed that investors must be treated as "special partners" with red-carpet treatment and that the country's increasingly difficult business reputation must be urgently addressed.

    24 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 23 January

  1. President urges faster, investor-friendly government services

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare visited the Business and Intellectual Property One Stop Centre to assess operations, with the President calling on officials to treat investors as key development partners and provide fast, transparent services to support economic growth and job creation.

    23 January 2026 · New Era →

  2. President urges BIPA centre to prioritise efficiency and ethical service

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah made an impromptu visit to the BIPA One Stop Centre, which was established to streamline investor services under one roof, and called on the centre to operate on principles of efficiency, professionalism and ethical service delivery to improve Namibia's investment climate.

    23 January 2026 · Informanté →

Saturday 10 January

  1. Bipa appoints Ainna Kaundu as new chief executive

    The Business and Intellectual Property Authority has appointed Ainna Kaundu as chief executive effective January for five years. Kaundu, a legal practitioner with 18 years of experience, previously served as executive of intellectual property services and acting chief executive at Bipa.

    10 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 9 January

  1. Ainna Vilengi Kaundu appointed new BIPA CEO for five years

    The Business and Intellectual Property Authority has appointed Kaundu as chief executive officer effective from the start of this year. She previously served as acting CEO and as executive of intellectual property services, and holds leadership positions in international intellectual property organisations.

    9 January 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 8 January

  1. Thirteen economic priorities for Namibia's investment competitiveness

    An analysis identifies 13 issues that could shape Namibia's investment future in 2026, including rebuilding investor confidence, streamlining regulations, reforming tax enforcement, modernizing business registration, and improving trade and digital infrastructure. The piece argues that Namibia must convert its natural resources and political stability into measurable economic performance and offer a clearer reason for foreign investors to choose it over regional competitors.

    8 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Business and Intellectual Property Authority — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute