Rich foreigners eye Namibian farms

… they want permanent residency to buy Namibian retirement farms – NIPDB

The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) has urged the government to grant wealthy foreigners with an interest in buying Namibian retirement farms permanent residency.

NIPDB chief executive Nangula Uaandja asked this in a letter to executive director of home affairs, immigration, safety and security Etienne Maritz on 16 July.

The board says the initiative – code-named ‘Desert Visa programme’ – aims to attract foreign money and boost Namibia’s economic development.

“These high net-worth individuals are interested in various investment opportunities, including the purchase of long-term lease farms for retirement, investing equity in local businesses, and other ventures that contribute to the economic development of our country,” Uaandja says.

Golden visas are not new to Namibia. Wealthy individuals, such as Russian mining businessman Rashid Sardarov, have been accused of inflating Namibian farm prices in areas such as Dordabis.

In the letter, Uaandja requests a meeting with the immigration selection board and Maritz for the approval of permanent residency for high net-worth individuals.

“In light of this, l am writing to request an opportunity to present to the Immigration Selection Board a case for the approval of applications for permanent residency for high net-worth individuals,” she says.

“We are referring particularly to applications that fall within the framework of the envisaged immigration regime aimed at attracting diverse types of investors to Namibia and can be accommodated by the existing law,” Uaandja says.

Golden visas have attracted controversy in Western countries and have gained popularity in Caribbean islands – especially those heavily dependent on tourism and foreign direct investment.

Five years ago, members of the European parliament said golden visa programmes have been riddled by loopholes and corruption, allowing many suspected of corruption or other crimes in their countries to reap the benefits of European citizenship.

The Guardian reported last year that the Caribbean state of Dominica has sold citizenship to thousands of individuals, including a former Afghan spymaster, a Turkish millionaire convicted of fraud, and a former Libyan colonel under Muammar Gaddafi, the first detailed examination of the country’s controversial “golden passports” scheme has found.

POLICY PROPOSAL

Uaandja says through these investment promotion efforts, the country has attracted the interest of foreign capital investors who are eager to establish a home in Namibia.

Uaandja in the letter proposes the Desert Visa programme, which is part of the Harambee Prosperity Plan ll, stating that the programme is yet to be implemented.

“Reference is made to an NIPDB proposal for a Desert Visa programme to be implemented as outlined in Harambee Prosperity Plan ll,” she says.

“We understand that due to the need to make some amendments to the law, this visa programme is yet to be implemented. However, the work to attract investors whose residence requirements fall within the current law is ongoing,” she says.

MINISTRY RESPONDS

Executive director of home affairs Etiene Maritz has confirmed receiving the letter from NIPDB on behalf of the high net-worth individuals.

“The ministry is aware of the letter … requesting an audience with the Immigration Selection Board,” he said this week.

Maritz said the Immigration Control Act, which empowers the board to take the necessary actions for the proper performance was granted to the NIPDB on behalf of the applicants on 23 July.

“The audience granted to NIPDB is part of the standard procedure to allow applicants an opportunity to present their cases before the Immigration Selection Board,” he said.

Maritz said this process is in line with Namibia’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that decisions are made fairly and transparently.

“It is important to note that article 18 of the Namibian Constitution guarantees the right to be heard before administrative decisions are made, including decisions related to permanent residence permits and other relevant permits within the mandate of the Immigration Selection Board,” he said.

Maritz said the constitutional provision ensures transparency and fairness in the decision of applications.

“The ministry emphasises that all applications are considered in accordance with the provisions of the law, ensuring that due process is followed at all stages of the decision-making process,” he said.

The NIPDB did not respond to questions by the time of going to print.

The Namibian reported last year that the home affairs ministry distanced itself from the golden visa programme allegedly being offered to wealthy foreign nationals by Walvis Bay-based developers President Links Estate and Henley & Partners.