The Omusati Region has the highest concentration of business establishments in Namibia at 18 per cent, followed by the Ohangwena and Khomas Regions with 15.6 and 15 per cent respectively.

The Omaheke Region recorded the fewest number of businesses, accounting for 2 per cent of the total number of establishments.

This was revealed by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) in the recently launched inaugural Census of Business Establishment 2019/21 report.

According to the report, which was launched at Swakopmund on Thursday, more than half (56.9 per cent) of these establishments are situated in rural areas.

The census is a large-scale statistical undertaking which collected basic information from all establishments across all regions.

Statistician General and Chief Executive Officer of the NSA, Alex Shimuafeni, said the main objectives of the report are to provide detailed structural and demographic characteristics of establishments.

“The census of establishments was conducted from October 2019 to April 2021. It covered all business establishments countrywide with a fixed location, irrespective of the number of employees, except for open market and communal farming activities. In addition, establishments that were attached to household structures were also excluded,” Shimuafeni revealed.

A total of 61 502 establishments were contacted during the enumeration period of the census.

“According to the report, based on the Micro, Small Medium Enterprises classification of the size of establishments, which is based on the number of employees, the census revealed that the majority of establishments are categorised as micro establishments, accounting for about 55 804 (90.7 per cent).”

This is followed by small establishments at 3 918 (6.4 per cent) and medium establishments at 1 435 (2.3 per cent) and only 345 establishments (0.6) per cent, fell under the large classification.

Furthermore, the census revealed that 38 797 (63.1 per cent) of the establishments were sole proprietors, while 12 210 (19.9 per cent) were close corporations.

Establishments with ownership status of sole proprietors were mainly owned by males, with a share of 53 per cent.

About 66 770 employees were recruited in wholesale and retail trade, while accommodation and food service activities employed 54 840 people.

In relation to nationality, the census revealed that 98 per cent of the employees were Namibians, while the remaining 2 per cent were non-Namibians, without a further breakdown.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency