Namibia is set to introduce legislation that will prohibit foreign nationals from owning land, as part of reforms aimed at addressing historical land imbalances and ensuring more equitable access for citizens.
The proposed Land Bill, tabled by Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Ingenesia Inge Zaamwani, seeks to consolidate the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act of 1995 and the Communal Land Reform Act of 2002 into a single, unified Land Act. The draft law, first introduced in March, is expected to be reintroduced in the near future following delays caused by the end of the parliamentary session.
Under the new bill, foreign nationals would no longer be allowed to own land or hold customary land rights in Namibia. However, they would still be permitted to apply for leasehold rights, particularly for business ventures that contribute to the country’s economic development.
The bill also includes strict penalties for violations, with fines of up to N$50,000 or prison terms of up to ten years.
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Minister Zaamwani emphasised that the reform is designed to improve access to land for historically disadvantaged groups, including landless Namibians, residents in informal settlement corridors, women, and young people.
To support these goals, the bill proposes a progressive land tax, based on updated valuation rolls every five years, in an effort to discourage speculative ownership and promote productive land use.
In addition, the bill establishes two major funding mechanisms:
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The Communal Land Development Fund, to finance agricultural infrastructure, land valuation, and farming assistance for rural communities; and
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The Land Acquisition and Development Fund, to support the purchase and redistribution of commercial farmland for resettlement.
The proposed legislation forms part of Namibia’s broader strategy to redress colonial-era land ownership disparities and promote inclusive economic participation.
