The Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa) will begin mass deregistration of non-compliant companies today, starting with 1 000 entities that have failed to meet legal and financial requirements.
The Khomas region, home to the highest number of registered businesses, also leads in non-compliance, with many of its entities appearing on the deregistration list. It is followed by Erongo, which also recorded several businesses that failed to file beneficial ownership information or pay annual duties.
Speaking at a media briefing in Windhoek yesterday, Bipa’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Aina Kaundu, said the decision follows months of warnings, education, and outreach to businesses across the country.
“We have identified a thousand entities that we are going to de-register. This is our start of mass deregistration. Every month, we are going to be removing entities that have not complied with the beneficial ownership requirement,” she said.
Kaundu revealed that the 1 000 businesses to be deregistered were selected from an inactive list compiled as far back as 2024, which now includes over 7 000 non-compliant entities.
She said the deregistration process will continue monthly, with more batches of businesses expected to be removed from the registry in the coming months if compliance levels remain low.
This is a necessary step to clean up the national business registry, which currently holds records of around 137 000 registered entities.
She compared Bipa’s role to that of the Ministry of Home Affairs, noting that just as individuals receive a birth certificate at birth and a death certificate upon passing, Bipa is responsible for granting legal existence to businesses and, when necessary, for ending it. Deregistration, she explained, is the business equivalent of a death certificate.
“The consequences for deregistered companies are significant. Once removed from the registry, a company loses its legal standing and is no longer able to participate in contracts or legal proceedings. Assets held under the name of the deregistered entity may be forfeited to the State if not claimed, and any existing contractual arrangements may become invalid.
“Moreover, deregistered businesses will be barred from participating in public procurement processes, with institutions such as the Central Procurement Board and TransNamib already informed of the upcoming changes,” she said.
Kaundu also warned that deregistered businesses may face banking restrictions, including the freezing or closure of accounts, and could suffer reputational damage as their names will be published on all Bipa platforms and shared with key stakeholders.
Bipa emphasised that the intention is not to punish, but to ensure accountability in the business environment.
Kaundu noted the authority had given businesses ample time to comply, and the annual duty fee just N$120 for a Close Corporation is minimal compared to the benefits companies receive by being allowed to operate formally in the economy.
Kaundu extended a call to businesses that may not appear in the first batch of deregistration to use the time wisely and regularise their affairs.
She encouraged business owners to file their beneficial ownership declarations and pay outstanding annual duties before they find themselves on the next list.
“Bipa offices are available in key regions, including Oshakati and Walvis Bay, and businesses in other areas can seek assistance through the ministry of industries, which maintains regional offices countrywide,” she said.
The businesses selected for deregistration are reportedly those with no visible economic activity.
Bipa confirmed it has worked closely with the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), banks, and other public institutions to determine whether companies are active in the market. Only those with no tax filings, banking activity, or signs of operational engagement have been flagged for removal.