How to Register a Business with BIPA in Namibia (2026 Guide)

A registered business looks more professional to customers, makes it easier to open a business bank account and is usually required before you can bid for tenders. In Namibia, that registration happens at BIPA.

This guide covers the main business types, the forms, BIPA’s published fees and your next steps.

Step 1: Choose the right type of business

First decide how you want to own the business. Most small businesses choose between these three options.

Option	Suits	Register with BIPA?	Key points
Sole trader (your own name)	One person starting small	Not required (a defensive name is optional)	You and the business are legally the same person, so you carry its debts yourself. Register with NamRA and your town council.
Close corporation (CC)	Small businesses with 1 to 10 members	Yes (forms CC8 and CC1)	Separate legal person with limited liability. You must appoint an accounting officer. Annual duty on form CC7.
Private company (Pty) Ltd	Growing businesses or those bringing in investors	Yes (form CM5 plus several CM forms)	BIPA says ownership is usually capped at 50 shareholders. Needs notarised founding documents and an auditor. Annual return on form CM23.

BIPA does not list a separate “business name” registration for sole traders. It does offer a defensive name, which protects a name for two years (renewable once for another two years). BIPA’s FAQ mentions sole traders using one, but its defensive name page says such a name should not be used for trading, so ask BIPA before relying on one.

Step 2: Reserve your business name

1. Think of two or three possible names in case your first choice is taken or too close to an existing business.
2. Check the business name search on the BIPA website.
3. Complete form CC8 for a CC, or CM5 for a company. BIPA lists the fee for each as N$75.
4. Lodge the form and wait for BIPA’s approval. Keep a copy of the approval, because you must attach it to your founding documents.

A reservation only lasts for a limited time, so move on to the next step soon after approval. Ask BIPA how long yours is valid.

Step 3: Prepare and lodge your founding documents

For a close corporation

According to BIPA, a CC application needs:

• a copy of your approved name reservation
• form CC1 (founding statement), completed in triplicate
• a letter of consent from your accounting officer
• certified copies of the IDs of all members and witnesses (foreign members need a certified passport copy that is notarised or apostilled in the country that issued it)
• beneficial ownership forms for all owners

The fee for the founding statement is N$150, and BIPA’s page gives a turnaround of five working days once everything is in order.

For a private company

The memorandum and articles of association (forms CM1, CM2, CM44 or CM44A, and CM44C) are lodged as one original and two notarised copies. You also attach forms such as CM22 (registered address), CM29 (directors and officers) and CM31 (auditor’s consent), plus certified IDs of directors and beneficial ownership forms. Because a notary and auditor are involved, most owners use an accountant.

Where to lodge

BIPA’s head office is at 172 Jan Jonker Road, Ausspanplatz, Windhoek. It also lists a Katutura office and opened a regional office in Walvis Bay in 2021. In November 2024 BIPA opened an office in Ongwediva to serve the four north-central regions and part of the Kavango region, which is the closest BIPA office for many people in Kavango West. Phone ahead to confirm what each office handles. Most of the process is still paper-based, but you can check your application status on BIPA’s website.

Need copies of forms or IDs? FDA’s studio in Nkurenkuru can print, scan and copy your documents. Remember that certified copies must still be signed by a commissioner of oaths.

Step 4: Declare your beneficial owners

A beneficial owner is the real person who ultimately owns or controls the business, even if shares are held through someone else. BIPA’s list includes anyone holding 25% or more of the shares or voting rights and anyone who can appoint or remove most of the directors.

• When you register: submit the BO declaration form with your founding documents.
• When ownership changes: BIPA says you must report a material change within seven working days.
• Every year: file with your annual duty. Since March 2024, if nothing has changed you can use the shorter BO2 form.

BIPA will not process registrations or changes without a complete declaration. From May 2025, non-compliant entities were placed on an inactive list and face deregistration after six months, and banks may restrict their accounts.

Step 5: Pay annual duty every year

A CC pays annual duty on form CC7 (N$120 on BIPA’s fee list). A company files an annual return on form CM23, with fees and duty that depend partly on its share capital. BIPA links the due date to your financial year, so confirm the exact month for your entity.

If you do not pay, BIPA sends reminder letters, then publishes a notice of intended deregistration in the Government Gazette, and finally removes the entity from the register. Entities that are up to date can ask BIPA for a good standing certificate, which is useful for tenders.

What to do after you register with BIPA

1. Register with NamRA. Your CC or company needs its own tax registration on NamRA’s ITAS system. CCs and companies are automatically treated as provisional taxpayers. NamRA says VAT registration becomes compulsory once taxable sales pass N$1 million in any 12 months.
2. Visit your local authority. Town councils usually require a business registration certificate and a fitness certificate for your premises. In May 2025, Rundu Town Council closed businesses that had neither. In Nkurenkuru, ask at the Town Council.
3. Register as an employer with the Social Security Commission (SSC) using Form 1 before you take on staff, and register your employees too.
4. Open a business bank account. Banks will ask for your BIPA documents and proof of beneficial ownership compliance.

This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. For your own situation, speak to a registered accountant or contact BIPA directly.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still register a new close corporation in 2026?

Yes, as of October 2026. BIPA still lists CC registration on its website. A proposed Corporate Laws Bill would end new CC registrations once it takes effect, so check BIPA’s Law Reform page for updates.

How long does registration take?

BIPA’s page gives five working days for a CC founding statement, after your name reservation is approved. Incomplete documents, unclear copies or missing beneficial ownership forms will slow it down.

Do I have to travel to Windhoek?

Not necessarily. BIPA also has offices in Ongwediva and Walvis Bay, and many accountants lodge documents for clients. Phone BIPA to confirm how you can submit.

What happens if I forget to pay annual duty?

You risk penalties and, eventually, deregistration. You will also struggle to get a good standing certificate, which many tenders and banks ask for.

Related guides: How to Register for a Tax Number (TIN) with NamRA in Namibia · How to Apply for an NYDF Youth Loan in Namibia

Last checked: 10 October 2026. Rules, dates and fees can change, so always confirm with the official office before you apply.