Namibia Co-operatives Policy.

The main objective of this Policy is to facilitate co-operative development in Namibia by providing scope for regulatory framework that allows for public-private partnership in co-operative development, while maintaining independence of co-operatives as private, member-led organizations The Specific Objectives of this Policy are: a) To provide scope for the regulatory framework on co-operative development in Namibia, with differentiated roles for Government, co-operatives and other stakeholders. b) To facilitate effective governance and transparency between co-operatives management and their members as a means to encouraging greater participation of all Namibians in co-operative development. c) To facilitate formation of national apex organization for co-operatives, and thematic umbrella cooperative organizations with a view to improve networking between co-operatives, development partners and other stakeholders. d) To encourage fair and transparent participation of co-operatives in income generation, alongside other private sector players, as a means to enhancing inclusivity of all Namibians in economic and social development (pags. 11 and 12).
This Namibia Co-operative Policy is applicable to the following: a) The Government of the Republic of Namibia through Cabinet; b) The ministry responsible for co-operatives, for the time being the Ministry of Agriculture Water and Forestry; c) The Co-operatives Advisory Board, the Office of Registrar of Co-operatives, and the Co-operative Tribunal; d) All co-operatives registered in Namibia; e) All line ministries responsible for regulation or facilitation of various activities of co-operatives, including ministries responsible for finance, planning, trade, education, poverty alleviation, industry, land, housing, labour, regional and urban authorities, health, transport, communications, mining, fisheries, tourism, environment and justice; f) Traditional authorities; g) Regional and local authorities; h) Development partners involved in capacity building activities of co-operatives; and i) Any other stakeholder with an interest in co-operatives (pag. 12).
Co-operative economic ownership is one of the six main forms provided for in the regulatory framework of Namibia. Article 98(2)(d) of the Namibian Constitution, states that “The Namibian economy shall be based, inter alia, on co-operative form of ownership”. Vision 2030, Harambee Prosperity Plan and National Development Plans as high level national documents clearly state that the most effective way to address poverty is through wealth creation, which is done by growing the economy in a sustainable inclusive manner and through the creation of decent employment opportunities. One of the ways in which this objective can be achieved is through co-operative development (pag. 4). Co-operatives can contribute greatly to the Harambee Prosperity Plan, which states that ‘the most effective way to address poverty is through wealth creation, which is done by growing the economy in a sustainable inclusive manner and through the creation of decent employment opportunities’ (pag.7). In line with the objective of poverty eradication nationally, the Government of the Republic of Namibia recognises the potential role of co-operatives, particularly in ensuring inclusion of all persons including previously disadvantaged persons into economic activities, thereby contributing towards poverty eradication nationally (pag. 12).