27 Nov 2025

The latest edition of the Namibian Competition Commission’s newsletter provides a comprehensive overview of the Commission’s recent work, strategic direction, and regulatory impact across key sectors of the economy. It opens with reflections on internal restructuring, updates to the Competition Act, and the organisation’s ongoing efforts to strengthen enforcement, improve operational efficiency, and reinforce its mandate of promoting fair and inclusive competition in Namibia.

From the CEO’s Desk, readers are taken through a 15-year journey of institutional development, achievements, and challenges. This includes major research initiatives, enforcement actions, merger reviews, and the Commission’s evolving strategic framework designed to enhance economic competitiveness and consumer welfare. A special emphasis is placed on sector studies—such as healthcare and automotive—that inform policy reforms and guide future regulatory interventions.

The newsletter also unpacks significant enforcement developments, including two major investigations into the pension fund industry and the ICT sector. Both cases highlight issues of potential dominance, exclusivity, and discriminatory practices that may hinder fair market participation. Complementing this is an article examining barriers to entry faced by SMEs, detailing both structural and strategic obstacles, and proposing targeted policy and competition-law interventions to support more inclusive economic growth.

In addition, the newsletter features detailed insights into merger regulation in Namibia, explaining notification thresholds, assessment criteria, and the importance of regulating mergers to safeguard competition and protect public interest. It further explores the role of market studies in identifying emerging competition issues, shaping regulatory responses, and supporting evidence-based decision-making. Overall, the publication offers an informative and multilayered look at the Commission’s activities and priorities, showcasing its continued commitment to fostering a competitive, fair, and dynamic Namibian economy.