Ester Hakaala
The Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) have formalised a partnership aimed at strengthening tourism enterprises, improving regulatory coordination and promoting business development across Namibia.
The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Friday, marking a commitment to closer cooperation in business registration, information verification, compliance, intellectual property protection and stakeholder education.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, NTB Chief Executive Officer Sebulon Chicalu said the agreement represented a shared commitment to creating a more efficient, transparent and supportive environment for tourism businesses operating in the country.
“Today’s occasion marks more than the formalisation of a collaboration. It represents a shared commitment by our two institutions to create a more efficient, transparent and supportive environment for tourism businesses operating in Namibia,” Chicalu said.
He emphasised that tourism remained one of Namibia’s key economic sectors, contributing to employment creation, enterprise development and inclusive economic growth, adding that a thriving tourism industry requires clear regulatory processes, effective business verification systems and seamless cooperation among public institutions.
Through the agreement, NTB and BIPA intend to improve coordination on matters affecting tourism-related businesses, providing clearer guidance on registration requirements and supporting more efficient regulatory processes.
Chicalu said the partnership would benefit entrepreneurs entering the tourism industry as well as existing operators seeking to expand their businesses. The establishment of a joint working committee will further provide a platform for continuous engagement between the institutions to address challenges and develop practical solutions that promote sector growth, compliance and good governance.
BIPA Chief Executive Officer Ainna Vilengi Kaundu described the agreement as an important step towards supporting enterprise development, stimulating economic growth and contributing to a prosperous Namibia.
She said tourism showcases the country’s natural beauty, culture, heritage and wildlife to the world while creating opportunities for businesses, communities and entrepreneurs across the country.
Kaundu highlighted the diversity of Namibia’s tourism industry, which includes accommodation establishments, tour and safari operators, travel agencies, tourist guides, conference and event tourism, hunting safari enterprises and transportation services.
According to figures presented in her address, the hospitality sector accounts for approximately 14% of all registered entities in BIPA’s registry, comprising 6,854 close corporations and 904 private companies.
She noted that the sector’s geographical reach made it particularly important for entrepreneurship, investment and economic inclusion, with hospitality businesses represented across all 14 regions of Namibia.
The Khomas region accounts for the highest concentration of registered hospitality entities at 53%, followed by Erongo at 11% and Oshana at 7%, according to the figures shared during the ceremony.
“These figures remind us that tourism is far more than an industry. It is a vehicle for economic empowerment and national development,” Kaundu said.
She explained that the partnership would strengthen support for tourism enterprises through business formalisation, intellectual property protection, stakeholder education, information sharing and collaborative outreach initiatives.
The collaboration is intended to help businesses not only register and comply with applicable requirements but also grow, innovate and build trusted brands. Intellectual property protection is particularly relevant to enterprises seeking to establish distinctive identities and strengthen their competitiveness in the tourism marketplace.
Kaundu also underscored the importance of institutional cooperation, noting that sustainable development could not be achieved by individual organisations working in isolation.
“This Memorandum of Understanding reflects our shared commitment to creating an environment where businesses can thrive, entrepreneurs can succeed, and innovation can flourish,” she said.
She further highlighted BIPA’s ongoing digital transformation agenda and efforts to expand access to services across the country. Through closer cooperation with NTB, BIPA aims to ensure that both established tourism operators and emerging entrepreneurs receive the support needed to develop their businesses.
The agreement also aligns with Namibia’s broader objective of improving the ease of doing business. By enhancing information sharing and regulatory coordination, the two institutions aim to reduce uncertainty for enterprises navigating registration and compliance processes.
For the tourism sector, an efficient business environment is essential to encouraging investment, supporting entrepreneurship and enabling enterprises to respond to changing market demands. Stronger institutional collaboration can also help businesses understand their obligations while creating opportunities for growth across different regions.
Both chief executive officers expressed confidence that the MoU would strengthen institutional relationships and improve service delivery. Chicalu thanked Kaundu and the BIPA team for their collaborative spirit throughout the development of the agreement, while Kaundu acknowledged NTB’s partnership and commitment to tourism development.
The signing marks the beginning of a framework for sustained cooperation between the two institutions, with implementation and continued engagement expected to be central to achieving its objectives.
Through this partnership, NTB and BIPA aim to contribute to a more transparent, efficient and supportive business environment, enabling tourism enterprises to grow and play a greater role in employment creation, investment and national economic development.
Both institutions reaffirmed their shared commitment to unlocking the potential of tourism and entrepreneurship for the benefit of Namibian businesses, communities and the country.
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