SMEs at risk as BIPA eyes deregistration
Hertta-Maria Amutenja
A recent notice from the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) has raised concern within the business community about plans to deregister non-compliant businesses.
Marius Nangolo, spokesperson for the Namibia Local Business Association (NALOBA), warned that the move could negatively affect small and medium enterprises (SMEs), many of which are already struggling.
“There are quite a number of challenges that businesses are facing. One of the key issues is affordability, especially for SMEs. Another challenge is the lengthy registration process, and many businesses do not fully understand the process or the requirements to remain compliant,” Nangolo said.
He added that many businesses, particularly in small towns and remote areas, struggle to access the necessary information due to limited internet access.
“Some businesses are in remote areas and may not have access to the internet. Even when they can comply, the information just does not reach them. We’ve been trying to spread the word through our platforms, but the majority are still unaware,” he said.
The notice outlines that businesses that remain inactive for six months may face deregistration.
According to Nangolo, while the deregistration plan is not yet in effect, the impact could be especially severe for SMEs, which are often already struggling to meet operational demands.
“It will have a negative impact because no business wants to be in an illegal position. Everyone wants to comply, but for small businesses, it’s a daunting task. We believe BIPA should reconsider its requirements, particularly for smaller businesses. It’s not something that can be fixed overnight, but it is important that the requirements are revisited,” Nangolo explained.
NALOBA is now working to inform its members about the potential consequences and to assist businesses in ensuring they are up to date with BIPA’s requirements.
“We are advising our members to prepare and ensure they submit the necessary documentation,” Nangolo added.
One small business owner, who requested to remain anonymous, shared his concerns about the difficulty of meeting BIPA’s requirements.
The owner, who runs a tuckshop business in Windhoek, said he has been struggling to stay afloat and understands that compliance is necessary but is uncertain about how to proceed.
“I’ve been trying to meet the requirements, but it’s hard when you don’t have the resources or knowledge of the process. I’ve heard of BIPA, but I’m not sure about all the steps I need to take to remain compliant,” the owner explained. “I want to be compliant, but the system feels complicated. I’m trying to save money for compliance, but it’s not easy,” he said.
The business owner also highlighted the challenges of staying informed.
“I’m not aware of all the platforms where BIPA shares information. It’s hard to keep up when you don’t know where to find the necessary details,” he said.
BIPA spokesperson Ockert Jansen clarified that the deregistration process is not imminent.
“This is not something that is happening now. We’ve just released a notice about our plans. Businesses that are listed as inactive will have six months to comply,” Jansen said.
Jansen also confirmed that BIPA does not yet have an exact number of businesses that could face deregistration.
Questions sent to the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) regarding their stance on BIPA’s plans were not responded to by the time of publication.
Questions sent to the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) about its views on BIPA’s plans had not been answered by the time of publication.
