Also known as: Bipa · Business and Intellectual Property (Bipa) One Stop Centre
Government body that manages business registration and intellectual property; registers beneficial ownership information with limited public access.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Business and Intellectual Property Authority says Leobeer Estates Fifteen CC is 100% owned by Hatuikulipi
“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 ruinThe Namibian
Business and Intellectual Property Authority announced mass deregistration of about 137,000 businesses for non-compliance
“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 greylistThe Namibian
Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) is responsible for safeguarding the integrity of Namibia's business and intellectual property records through continuous compliance monitoring Namibia's business and intellectual property records
“As the custodian of Namibia's business and intellectual property records, the authority is responsible for safeguarding its integrity through continuous compliance monitoring, stakeholder engagement and awareness initiatives.”
Sustaining Business Legitimacy in NamibiaThe Namibian
Business and Intellectual Property Authority created as stand-alone agency allowing adoption of more modern mindsets with private-sector management teams
“Some progress has occurred where government created stand-alone agencies outside the restrictive influence of ministries – such as the Namibia Revenue Agency and Business and Intellectual Property Authority – allowing them to adopt more modern mindsets, supported by management teams drawn from the private sector.”
Why Bureaucrats Should Stay Out of BusinessThe Namibian
Business and Intellectual Property Authority operates One Stop Centre from headquarters relocated to former SME Bank building
“The centre operates from Bipa's headquarters, which relocated to the former SME Bank building in Ausspannplatz in July 2025.”
President Nandi-Ndaitwah urges faster investor responses at Bipa One Stop CentreNew Era
Business and Intellectual Property (Bipa) One Stop Centre was visited by the President and Prime Minister
“President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare yesterday made an impromptu visit to the Business and Intellectual Property (Bipa) One Stop Centre to assess their modus operandi first-hand.”
President, PM make suprise Bipa visit …demand efficiency, investor-friendly servicesInformanté
The One Stop Centre at BIPA was established to bring key investor services together under one roof
“PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah recently paid an impromptu visit to the One Stop Centre at the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) headquarters in Windhoek, which was established to bring key investor services together under one roof.”
President calls on BIPA One Stop Centre to prioritise efficiency and ethical service deliveryThe Namibian
Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) appointed Ainna Kaundu as chief executive, effective January for five years
“The Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) has appointed Ainna Kaundu as chief executive, effective January for a period of five years.”
Bipa appoints new chief executiveNew Era
Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) appointed Ainna Vilengi Kaundu as chief executive officer for five-year term
“The Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) has appointed Ainna Vilengi Kaundu as its new chief executive officer (CEO) for a five-year term, effective from the beginning of this year.”
Kaundu takes the reins at BIPAThe Namibian
Business and Intellectual Property Authority opened an office in Ongwediva
“He said this at the official opening of Bipa's Ongwediva office on Saturday.”
Oshana tops business registration with over 14 000 registeredYambuka Housing, a new Namibian-owned company, has launched prefabricated homes ranging between N$120,000 and N$190,000 that can be assembled within seven days, positioning the model as an alternative to informal settlements. The company says it offers locally manufactured units on a 32-square-metre and 43-square-metre basis, though its financing mechanism is still under development.
6 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
Yambuka Housing, a new Namibian-owned company, has launched prefabricated homes ranging between N$120,000 and N$190,000 that can be assembled within seven days, positioning the model as an alternative to informal settlements. The company says it offers locally manufactured units on a 32-square-metre and 43-square-metre basis, though its financing mechanism is still under development.
6 hours ago · Windhoek Observer →
The Namibian reports that Namibia's traditional music communities are systematically excluded from commercial benefits when their ancestral songs and rituals are recorded and licensed by outsiders, receiving minimal compensation while those with recording equipment profit from their heritage.
18 July 2026 · The Namibian →
A musician argues that Namibian performers recorded by the South West African Broadcasting Corporation before independence received no payment for their work and continue to receive nothing, since the broadcaster failed to properly document their names and details, leaving royalties uncollected when recordings are logged as 'unknown' in the Nascam system.
11 July 2026 · The Namibian →
A two-year Nascam-UNESCO partnership will invest N$1.7 million into research, copyright reform, and digital innovation in Namibia's music industry. The initiative will map the music sector across all 14 regions, establish a national evidence base, develop an online copyright platform, and support copyright education and policy dialogue.
9 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Institute of Public Policy Research has released its procurement tracker and called for an in-depth investigation into healthcare sector procurement, describing it as a persistent governance challenge. Research shows corruption in the sector has been ongoing for a decade, and the IPPR notes that key laws including the Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 and the Access to Information Act of 2022 have been passed but not implemented.
22 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change says Namibia must make beneficial ownership information public following the country's removal from the Financial Action Task Force's greylist. Shadow minister Rodney Cloete states that while Namibia corrected gaps in beneficial ownership transparency to exit the greylist, the register remains effectively closed to journalists and the public through the Business and Intellectual Property Authority.
20 June 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →