Namibia has once again been recognised in the StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index (GSEI) 2026, ranking 94th globally and 10th in Africa, while maintaining its position as the second-ranked startup ecosystem in Southern Africa, after South Africa. Namibia also ranked fourth in Africa in the Ecosystem Attractiveness Functional Category due to the country’s visibility as an emerging innovation and entrepreneurship destination.
Notwithstanding its comparatively smaller market size, Namibia continues to rank alongside some of Africa’s more established startup ecosystems, including Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria, reinforcing the country’s growing position in the continental innovation landscape.
The StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index evaluates startup ecosystems worldwide using indicators relating to startup activity, ecosystem quality, and business environment conditions. Despite recording ecosystem growth of 8.2%, Namibia moved down nine positions globally from 85th in 2025, as a result of accelerated growth among peer ecosystems and increasing competitiveness within the global startup landscape. Further to that, Windhoek ranked 525th globally, declining by 13 positions despite recording an ecosystem growth of 20.3%.
Namibia continues to demonstrate encouraging ecosystem fundamentals, including a supportive business environment, entrepreneurship support infrastructure, stronger ecosystem coordination, and increasing international visibility as an emerging innovation destination, as evidenced by its strong performance in the Ecosystem Attractiveness Functional Category.
As part of ongoing efforts to streamline startup support services, the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), in collaboration with the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), established ScaleUp Namibia as a national ecosystem coordination initiative.
Since its inception in 2024 with five support organisations, the network has expanded to 18 members – enhancing collaboration and coordination of startup support services across the ecosystem. Increased institutional support in sectors such as financial technology, including initiatives led by the Bank of Namibia and Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority, indicate gradual ecosystem diversification and growing entrepreneurial momentum.
While the findings reflect encouraging progress, sustaining the momentum within Namibia’s startup ecosystem will require continued public and private sector commitment through financial and non-financial support, mentorship, partnerships, and market access opportunities to strengthen startup growth, investment readiness, visibility, and long-term competitiveness.
The NIPDB has pledged to continue collaborating with its stakeholders to strengthen Namibia’s startup ecosystem to set up Namibian businesses for long-term success.