The long-awaited Namibia Revenue Authority (NamRA) is now finally operational, following the official notice by Minister of Finance Iipumbu Shiimi in the Government Gazette on 1 April 2021. 

NamRa is scheduled to be officially opened today by President Hage Geingob. 

Finance ministry spokesperson Tonateni Shidhudhu yesterday confirmed to New Era that the launch event will take place at the Windhoek County Club and Resorts. 

The event will also see the Minister of Finance hand over the power of revenue collection to NamRa Commissioner Sam Shivute, who was appointed in this position last year.

Some 1200 staff members from the Ministry of Finance, mainly from the Inland Revenue Department and the Customs and Excise Directorate, are expected to be transferred to NamRA.

Shidhudhu explained that a delay in operationalising NamRa was experienced because of crucial systems that needed to be first implemented, saying it is not easy to move from one taxman to another and that the finance ministry wanted to ensure there is no interruption in tax collection. 

Thus far, three executives who will form part of NamRa’s Executive Committee have been appointed, of which two are from the Ministry of Finance.  

“The recruitment process is still ongoing and more appointments are to be announced soon,” said Shidhudhu, adding that NamRA will still operate from the Ministry of Finance premises and will use government vehicles until all necessary systems are fully functional.