NamRA, Bipa partnership aimed at curbing fraud

The Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) and the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at safeguarding Namibia against fraud costing the country millions every year.During the signing, NamRA’s CEO Sam Shivute said that last year, investigators found that more than N$100 million left the country at the hands of ‘ghost companies’, which Shivute said happens when companies use the identities of vulnerable Namibians.“Last year, our investigation team picked up a syndicate that we call ‘ghost companies’. People will register businesses, go to disadvantaged people in villages and informal settlements, get their identification documents then promise those people financial benefits," he said. "These companies’ bank accounts are controlled by entities outside Namibia and when the companies get money or tenders, it does not even spend 72 hours in the country before being transferred,” he said.Shivute said that through the implementation of the MoU, they hope to weed out tax evaders and scam artists in Namibia.Updating digital processes Bipa CEO, Vivienne Katjiuongua, said during the event that the signing of this agreement comes at a time when business owners need to have digital access to all relevant information and resources for starting a business. Currently, many Bipa processes are still operated manually, according to Katjiuongua.“Knowing that NamRA’s systems are already automated calls on us to expedite our process because otherwise there’s a back and forth and we slow down what can be done in minutes, dragging it on for days," she said."Bipa is responsible for keeping up-to-date and relevant beneficial ownership information and providing that information to NamRA. With this agreement, NamRA will be able to have full access to this information as soon as they need it."

NamRA, Bipa partnership aimed at curbing fraud

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-02

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NamRA, Bipa partnership aimed at curbing fraud

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-02

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