Over 117 000 IDs issued in 2025

The home affairs ministry issued 117 175 national identity documents and 126 737 birth certificates in 2025.

A notable initiative last year was a national registration campaign targeting the marginalised San community between June and August. Through the programme, 22 690 national documents were issued, exceeding the ministry’s initial target of 16 000.

Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, said on Friday that the initiative helped members of previously underserved communities gain access to essential services such as education, healthcare, social grants and banking.

“Every person in Namibia must be registered, protected and secured within the framework of the law, dignity and human rights,” she said.

Iipumbu added that the rollout of electronic identity documents (e-IDs) is progressing well.

“We expected to launch this in the course of the 2026-2027 financial year, and this will mark a significant step towards modernising identity management systems."

The digital system is designed to improve identity verification and enable integration across government services and the private sector.

During the update on the ministry's achievements, Iipumbu said 682 African guest identity cards were issued to refugees to facilitate access to education, employment and financial services.

Angolan nationals return home

In the area of immigration services, the ministry issued 51 285 travel documents, including 50 155 ordinary passports. A major policy milestone was the implementation of a visa-on-arrival system under Namibia’s visa reciprocity framework.

Between March 2025 and January 2026, 289 510 visas on arrival were issued, generating more than N$413 million in revenue in less than a year.

Iipumbu said the initiative reflects a balanced approach, strengthening national security while supporting tourism, investment and economic growth.

The ministry also intensified efforts to address undocumented migration and humanitarian concerns.

In cooperation with the Angolan government, 985 Angolan nationals, including more than 700 children living on Namibian streets, were successfully repatriated.

A new regional office in Kurenkuru in the Kavango West region has been completed and is expected to be inaugurated soon, Iipumbu added, bringing services closer to rural communities.

Human resource capacity was also strengthened through training programmes involving 275 staff members, the filling of 66 vacancies and the promotion of 50 employees.

Recruitment processes for an additional 82 posts are currently underway. On the legal front, the ministry is advancing amendments to several key laws, including the Marriage Act, the Civil Registration and Identification Act and legislation addressing the status of certain residents and stateless persons.

National crime prevention efforts

Crime prevention remains a major priority.

The ministry conducted six national crime prevention operations across all 14 regions in 2025.

During the annual firearm amnesty campaign in September 2025, authorities collected 86 firearms and 3 197 rounds of ammunition.

Capacity building within the police force also continued, with 429 officers trained, 1779 cadet constables graduating and 719 promotions awarded within the force.

Additionally, 151 operational vehicles were procured and distributed nationwide.

Food sustainability

Last year, Namibian prisons’ agricultural projects were expanded, producing food valued at N$22.6 million, contributing to national food security while equipping inmates with practical skills.

Within the correctional services sector, 426 officers were recruited, while 404 recruits are currently undergoing training.

A new clinic at the Kauko Otavi Correctional Facility was inaugurated in December, alongside staff accommodation developments at facilities in Hardap and Katima Mulilo.

Rehabilitation remains central to the correctional system’s mission.

During the review period, 1 297 offenders participated in rehabilitation programmes addressing substance abuse, gender-based violence awareness, education and vocational training, achieving 95% of the ministry’s target.

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