COVID-19 UPDATE: NAMIBIA

Covid virus

COVID-19 UPDATE: NAMIBIA

The Government of the Republic of Namibia have acted swiftly to contain the COVID-19 pandemic in Namibia by introducing a number of measures. Namibia registered her first two confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the 13th of March 2020 and on the 17th of March 2020, the Government declared a State of Emergency, which was approved by the Namibian Parliament to remain in place for a period of six months. To date, Namibia has sixteen confirmed cases of COVID-19. In addition to closing the national borders and barring all incoming flights to Namibia, the Government initially imposed a 21 day lockdown for Khomas Region and Erongo Region, including the local authorities of Okahandja and Rehoboth, which commenced at 23:59 on Friday 27 March, 2020 until 23:59 on 16 April, 2020. To minimize the impacts of COVID-19 on the Namibian economy, the Government rolled out the Economic Stimulus to the tune of N$8.1 billion on the 7th of April 2020.

Economic Stimulus of N$8.1 Billion

The total stimulus and relief package of N$8.1 billion comprises of N$5.9 billion as direct support to businesses, households and cash flow acceleration payments for services rendered to Government and N$2.3 billion of additional support guaranteed by Government. In summary the economic stimulus package is to be rolled out as follows:

  1. Emergency Income Grant

A once-off payment of N$750 will be provided to people who have lost their jobs, either in the informal or formal sector. Applications may be made by Namibian Citizens between 18 and 60 years of age who have lost their jobs and are not receiving any other social grants. Payments will be made by Government within 7 days upon application, utilising the Banking sector’s ATM infrastructure. The total amount for this measure is costed at a maximum of N$562 million.

  1. Tax-Back Loan Scheme

Tax registered and tax paying (PAYE) Employees and self-employed individual persons who have lost income due to the COVID-19 outbreak can borrow an amount equal to 1/12th of their tax payment in the previous tax year, to be repaid after one year. The interest rate will be concessional, below prime on the back of a Government guarantee. The total guarantee is capped at the Maximum of N$1.1 billion.

  1. Water Subsidy

Governments will ensure that water points are kept open without a need for water cards during lockdowns, through NAMWATER and Local Authorities that will subsidize this critical service. For the first lockdown this amount was estimated at about N$10 million.

  1. Non-Agricultural Small Business Loan Scheme

The Government will guarantee a N$500 million, concessional rate loan scheme for non-agricultural small businesses, with funds provided through the Development Bank of Namibia. The loans will be extended to businesses experiencing or expected to experience cash-flow pressure as a result of a loss in revenue due to COVID-19.

  1. Goods and Services provided to Government

The Government will immediately speed up payments of overdue and undisputed invoices for goods and services provided to Government to boost the cash-flow of enterprises that are suppliers to the Government. This amount stands at N$800 million.

  1. Policy Relief

Borrowers will be granted policy relief by the Development Bank of Namibia and the Agricultural Bank of Namibia in the form of a capital repayment moratorium where a holiday is allowed on the principal amount for a period ranging between six (6) months, but not exceeding two years (24 months) based on assessment, recapitalisation of interest, lengthening of the repayment periods and waiving of penalty provisions.

  1. Agricultural Business Loan Scheme

The Government will guarantee a N$200 million loan scheme for farmers and agricultural businesses by extending a guarantee for such loans to the Agricultural Bank of Namibia. The loans will be extended to cash flow-constrained farmers and small to medium-sized farming businesses that have experienced a significant loss of revenue.

  1. Tax-Back Loan Scheme for Non-mining sector

To provide breathing room for tax-paying cash flow-constrained businesses in the non-mining sectors, such businesses can borrow an amount equal to 1/12th of their tax payment in the previous tax year, to be repaid after one year. The interest rate will be concessional, below prime on the back of the Government guarantee, capped at N$470 million. Applications will be made via the Commercial Banks in Namibia.

  1. Labour Regulations

Labour regulations will be relaxed to protect jobs. To avoid major retrenchments and business closures, employers including Government and business owners will be allowed to negotiate a temporary 20% reduction of salaries and wages during the crisis period, and a 50% for the worst-hit industries. The negotiations will be undertaken through a consultative process with employees and labour unions.

Extension of Initial Lockdown and relaxation of certain restrictions

To further curb the spread of COVID-19, on the 14th of April 2020, the Government extended the lockdown from midnight on Friday 17th April 2020 to midnight on 4th May 2020. The lockdown has been extended to the entire country and no longer limited to Khomas Region and Erongo Region. During this period, movements within the whole country will be restricted.

The prohibitions imposed relating to certain operations and closure of certain business activities have been revisited to allow for the opening of informal trading and open markets, subject to strict hygiene, social distancing and limitation of gatherings.

With regard to reopening of schools, teachers and lectures will operate from home during the period of 20th April 2020 and will officially return to their work places on the 6th of May 2020. As for learners and students, they will not return to school until further notice.

Government employees and private sector employees who were working from home since the 27th of March 2020 will continue to work from home until the 5th of May 2020.

The fishing sector renders essential services on the basis that it operates in the food supply chain, as such the operation of this industry will be allowed.

Shakwa Nyambe & Co Inc has been certified as a critical service provider by the Ministry of Industrialisation and Trade and is allowed to operate during the lockdown period in Namibia. Contact us should you have any legal and business advisory matters to be attended too.

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Astrid Chombo

Astrid Chombo

Administrative Assistant
Bachelors in Marketing (Namibia)
Bachelor of Public Governance (Honours) (Namibia)

Content pending…

Mercy Nasilele

ATTORNEY (CA) LLB (Honours) ( Namibia)
Diploma in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (Namibia)

Mercy Nasilele joined SNC Incorporated as a legal intern in 2021. She holds a Diploma in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution, and a Bachelor of Laws Honours Degree (LLB) (Honours) from the University of Namibia.

She is presently enrolled with the Justice Training Centre of Namibia, in pursuit to become an Admitted legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia.

Her favourite verse is Hebrews 11:1

”Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Netumbo Nuuyoma

Netumbo Nuuyoma

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Bachelor Degree in Accounting (Namibia)
MSc in General Management (Germany)

Netumbo Nuuyoma joined SNC Incorporated as the Executive Assistant to the Managing Partner in October 2024. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Accounting from the Namibia University of Science and Technology and an MSc in General Management from PFH Private University of Applied Sciences. Since joining the firm, Netumbo has gained practical experience in executive support, project coordination, and financial services. She is known for her adaptability and commitment to building positive relationships that contribute to organizational success. Her role encompasses managing executive calendars, coordinating meetings and travel, preparing financial administration, and handling confidential correspondence.

Claassens Chombo

Office Assistant
Dipl. In Business Administration, BBA (Honours) (Namibia)

Claassens Chombo joined SNC Incorporated as an Office Assistant in 2021. He holds a diploma in Business Administration as well as an Honours Degree in Business Administration with a major in Strategic Human Resource Management from the University of Namibia. Since joining the firm, Claassens has gained practical experience in office administration which generally ranges from administrative, handling and managing client documentation.

He describes himself as highly motivated and lives by a quote by Marie Forleo which states:

“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently”.

Ndeshi Mufeti

Ndeshi Mufeti

Attorney (CA)
LLB (Honours) (Namibia)

Ndeshi began her journey with SNC Incorporated as an intern and joined the firm as a Candidate Attorney in February 2026. She holds an LLB (Honours) degree from the University of Namibia and is currently completing her Justice Training Centre to become an admitted Legal Practitioner of the High Court.

As a Candidate Legal Practitioner, she supports the attorneys at SNC Incorporated in matters relating to energy, oil and gas, and commercial and corporate law.

During her studies, she served as Chairperson of the Law Association of Mooting and Advocacy (LAMA) at the University of Namibia, where during her tenure the Association was awarded the DSA Magriet Mainga Award and she was awarded the Humanitarian Award from for her work as a student parliamentarian and Chairperson of LAMA.

Olavi Popyeinawa

Olavi Popyeinawa

ATTORNEY (CA)
 LLB (Honours) ( Namibia)
Diploma in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (Namibia)
PGDip (Drafting & Interpretation of Contracts) (South Africa)

Olavi Popyeinawa is a Candidate Attorney at SNC Incorporated, a full service Energy, Natural Resource, Corporate & Commercial and Dispute Resolution law firm based in Windhoek, Namibia. Olavi joined the firm as a legal and communication intern and has since developed his skillsets, where he now brings a unique blend of legal expertise and communication skills to the firm. Olavi previously served as a Columnist at the largest state owned newspaper in Namibia, where he wrote and authored the widely-read column in the New Era Newspaper for half a decade. His insights into critical and social matters attracted thousands of readers. He holds a Bachelor of Law Honours (LLB) degree and a Diploma in Alternative Dispute Resolution, both from the University of Namibia. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts from the University of Johannesburg. He is currently enrolled at the Justice Training Center, where he is pursuing his admittance as a Legal Practitioner in the High Court of Namibia.

Loide Hamutumwa

CANDIDATE ATTORNEY
B. JURIS& LLB Hon, LLM (Namibia)
LLM (Petroleum Taxation and Finance) (United Kingdom)
Dipl. Commerce (Namibia)
BTech in Administration (Namibia)

Loide Hamutumwa has broad experience in Energy Finance and Taxation. With very impressive credentials, Loide holds a Diploma in Commerce, BTech: Administration (Namibia University of Science and Technology); B Juris, LLB (Honours), LLM (University of Namibia); LLM: Petroleum Taxation and Finance – distinction (University of Dundee).

For her in-depth knowledge in mineral & petroleum taxation and governance, she was appointed as a member to the government Petroleum and Mining Contracts Negotiating Team.

 

Loide’s other notable appointments include serving as a Convener of the Tax Tribunal. She is the present Secretary to the Namibia Double Taxation Agreements Negotiation Tax Team and a member to various SADC Working Groups on tax matters. Her career in Energy Finance started at the Solar Revolving Fund at Kongalend Financial Services (Pty) Ltd, prior to joining the UNDP-funded project Namibia Renewable Energy Programme (NAMREP), and later, joining the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

She enjoys writing tax journals and uses the knowledge and experience developed over years of working at the Legal Unit, Inland Revenue Department to educate taxpayers on tax compliance and tax justice.

 

Loide Hamutumwa is a Candidate Legal Practitioner presently enrolled at the Justice Training Centre of Namibia to undergo practical legal training and once completed, will apply to be enrolled as an Admitted Legal Practitioner of Namibia.

Esther Kiangi

Associate
 LLB (Honours) ( Namibia)
LLM (Oil Gas & Mining Law) (United Kingdom)

Esther Kiangi specializes in the oil, gas and energy industries.

After completing her LLB at the University of Nottingham, she pursued an LLM in Oil, Gas and Mining at Nottingham Trent University. Her expertise lies within upstream support services, including but not limited to the permitting and licensing of explosives and radiation sources, exemptions in respect of declarations of continuous operations, and in business advisory with regard to project development. In addition to the above, she has experience in contractual transactions and regulatory compliance.

While her primary focus is in the natural resource industry, her other legal skills lie within Corporate and Commercial Law, where she has cumulated vast experience as a Company Secretary to various companies, dealing with the day-to-day administrative tasks in the management of companies, as well as high-value transactions further acting as a business advisor to these clients in respect of deal structuring within the ambits of the law.

 

Esther is a member of the AIEN (Association for International Energy Negotiators), and her other notable achievements include being appointed to the board of Pearl Waterfree Technologies, as well as Triumphant College.

Esther recently completed her theoretical and practical training at the Justice Training Centre of Namibia and has  been  admitted to practice as a legal practitioner of the High Court of Namibia.

Shafimana Shimakeleni

PARTNER
LLB (Honours) (Namibia)
LLM (Oil & Gas with Professional Skills) (United Kingdom)

Shafimana Shimakeleni is a Partner at SNC Incorporated. He is an admitted legal practitioner of the High Court and Supreme Court of Namibia with experience in the oil and gas, energy, commercial and corporate sectors. He holds an LLB (Honours) from the University of Namibia and a Master of Laws in Oil and Gas Law with Professional Skills (Distinction) from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom. Shafimana’s expertise includes drafting, reviewing, structuring and negotiation of various Commercial Agreements, Contract Management and Administration, rendering advice on Regulatory Compliance in the Energy, Oil & Gas and Mining sector, Mergers, Stakeholder Engagement, conducting Due Diligence Investigations for multinational transactions and representing our clients in Civil and Corporate litigation, both in the Namibian Courts and Private Arbitration.

Shafimana previously worked at Ministry of Mines and Energy in the Petroleum Affairs Directorate, where he was actively involved in matters related to regulation and compliance as well as assisting in the development of local content policy and legislation for petroleum exploration, development and production in Namibia.

Shafimana is a member of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), where he serves on the Hydrogen Task Force and the ESG Taskforce Committees. He is also a regular contributor to the Chambers Global Practice Guide.

Stanley Kambonde

SPECIALIST MINERALS ADVISOR
B.Juris & LLB (Namibia)
LLM (Oil, Gas and Mining Law) (United Kingdom)
PGDip (Drafting & Interpretation of Contracts) (South Africa)

Stanley specializes in Mining (both large and small scale), Environmental Law, Marine Regulation, Minerals Investment Leveraging and Commodities Brokering. He has been vividly involved in the mining industry, both as an advisor and mining entrepreneur, for more than Seven (7) years.

Stanley not only understands the Namibian mining sector through the lens of legal and policy framework but has also grasped the technical operating components of a mining system along the value chain. Through such an in-depth technical, theoretical and investment-leveraging understanding, Stanley provides clients with expert advice and solutions to complex aspects of the minerals sector.

He has provided advisory services to various national and international corporations in the mining industry, including on legislative and regulatory frameworks. Further, Stanley has brokered and negotiated numerous transactions ranging from sale of mineral commodities, sale/transfer of mineral licenses and the successful setting up of mining operations.

He holds a B. Juris, LLB (Honours) from the University of Namibia and an LLM in Oil, Gas and Mining from Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts from the University of Johannesburg.  Stanley recently enrolled at the Justice Training Centre of Namibia to undergo practical legal training and once completed, will apply to be enrolled as an Admitted Legal Practitioner of Namibia. 

Shakwa Nyambe

MANAGING PARTNER
B. Juris & LLB (Namibia),
LLM (Oil & Gas Law with Professional Skills) (United Kingdom)
PGDip (Drafting & Interpretation of Contracts) (South Africa)
Executive Diploma in Global Business (Masters Level) (United Kingdom)

Shakwa Nyambe is the Founder and Managing Partner of SNC Incorporated, with offices in Windhoek, Namibia. He is a specialist energy, natural resources, and commercial lawyer and also an expert in the drafting, reviewing, and negotiating of contracts. He has advised international corporations, state-owned enterprises, governments, and individuals in oil & gas, renewable energy, and mining projects, and provided legal services in matters ranging from mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, and corporate governance to project financing as well as rendering advisory services on general commercial and dispute resolution matters. His clients include some of the international oil companies, upstream service companies, drilling companies, renewable energy companies, mining companies, construction and infrastructure companies, State Owned Enterprises, Governments, and corporate entities.

Shakwa previously worked as a Legal Counsel at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia, as a Chief Legal Officer at the Ministry of Justice, Namibia, and as a State Advocate at the High Court of Namibia. Shakwa is the President of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN) for the period of 2025-2026. He serves on the drafting committees for the AIEN, including JOA Committee, LNG, SPA Committee, Asset Sale and Purchase Agreement Committee, the Drilling Contract Committee and the Hydrogen Task Force. Shakwa is a Director at Debmarine Namibia where he serves as Deputy Chairperson on the Board of Directors, and also serves as a Board of Director at NAMDEB Holdings (a 50-50 joint venture diamond mining between the Government of Namibia and De Beers).

Shakwa is ranked by the IFLR1000 for both 2024 and 2025 rankings as a Highly Regarded Lawyer in the practice area of Projects: Energy, with a focus on the Oil and Gas industry in Namibia. Shakwa has also been ranked as Band 3 lawyer for General Business by Chambers and Partners for both 2025 and 2026 rankings.

Shakwa Nyambe is recognised for his work and leadership in corporate, commercial and energy sector transactions, as well as his role in supporting the development of Namibia’s emerging oil and gas industry. Shakwa was also named as the National Lawyer of the Year for Namibia at the 2026 IFLR Africa Awards. Shakwa holds a postgraduate degree of Master of Laws in Oil & Gas Law with Professional Skills (LLM) from the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom, an Executive Diploma in Global Business (Masters Level) from the Said Business School, University of Oxford, a Postgraduate Diploma in Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts from the University of Johannesburg, a Baccalaureus Juris degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree, both from the University of Namibia. He is an admitted legal practitioner of the High Court and Supreme Court of Namibia.