Namibia Ranked 1st in Africa for Market Perception in Global Innovation Index

Namibia has earned top recognition in the StartupBlink Innovators Business Environment Index (IBEI)

2026, ranking 1st in Africa and 1st in Sub-Saharan Africa under the Market Perception Pillar, and 6th overall in Africa.

The IBEI is a respected global benchmark that evaluates how conducive national business environments are for innovation-driven entrepreneurship. It assesses more than 125 countries using over 30 objective and quantifiable indicators, based on a founder’s real-world journey from starting a business to expanding operations.

Unlike indices that measure startup activity or innovation output, the IBEI focuses on the foundational conditions that make innovation possible. It is structured around three core pillars:

• Ease of Operating a Business (simplicity and efficiency of setup and operations)

  
  

• Business Incentives (financial and fiscal attractiveness for entrepreneurs)

  
  

• Market Perception (trust in governance, stability, institutional reliability and international reputation)

Namibia’s number one ranking in the Market Perception Pillar reflects strong global confidence in the country’s governance quality and credibility. Additionally, Namibia ranks in the top global quartile for Dividend Tax Rate and Capital Gains Tax Rate, reinforcing its profile as an investor-friendly destination.

This recognition highlights Namibia’s progress in creating a stable, transparent and trusted business environment for global innovators and investors.

Source: StartUp Blink

Access the full report here.