Namibia has been ranked the top country in Africa for market perception in the StartupBlink Innovators Business Environment Index (IBEI) 2026. The ranking places Namibia first in Africa and first in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Market Perception category.
This shows strong trust in the country’s institutions, good governance, and stability. It also reflects international confidence in Namibia’s business environment. According to a statement issued by Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board spokesperson Catherine Shipushu, the StartupBlink Index looks at how easy it is for innovators and entrepreneurs to do business in different countries.
“The index covers more than 125 countries and uses over 30 measurable indicators. It uses three main areas: Ease of Operating a Business, Business Incentives, and Market Perception. Market Perception focuses on governance quality, transparency, stability, skills, and international mobility,” she said.
StartupBlink said Namibia ranked first because of its strong leadership in institutional trust and credible governance. The country also ranked first in southern Africa in the same category, confirming its position as a stable and trusted place to do business.
In addition, Namibia performs well across the region and ranks among the top countries globally for dividend tax and capital gains tax rates.
“This recognition validates Namibia’s ongoing commitment to creating a predictable, stable, and investor-friendly business environment. It also reflects the impact of practical reforms that Namibia introduced to enhance the ease of doing business and enterprise development in the country,” said StartupBlink.
“These include the establishment of the Investor One Stop Centre and the ScaleUp Namibia platform, which respectively support entrepreneurs across the business lifecycle. This achievement positions Namibia as a trusted destination for innovators and entrepreneurs seeking confidence and stability when establishing and growing their ventures,” added StartupBlink.
Furthermore, this achievement positions Namibia as a trusted destination for innovators and entrepreneurs seeking confidence and stability as they establish and grow their ventures.
