The Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority announced that the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority Act, 2021 and the Financial Institutions and Markets Act, 2021, together with the regulations and standards issued under them, came into operation on 1 May 2026. The new regime establishes an updated framework for regulating and supervising non-banking financial institutions, financial intermediaries and financial markets. Supporting measures include three commencement and regulation notices issued by the Minister of Finance and eight standards published in the Government Gazette. NAMFISA said those gazetted standards are the only legally effective standards. Transitional provisions under the two acts preserve continuity by keeping subordinate measures made under repealed laws in force unless they conflict with the new acts, and until they are replaced. In implementing the Financial Institutions and Markets Act, NAMFISA said it will use a risk-based and proportionate supervisory approach supported by standards, directives, guidance and ongoing supervisory engagement. NAMFISA also said the regulation on preservation of pension benefits has been put on hold pending further technical refinement and broader public consultation. Until that process is completed and the regulation is promulgated by the Minister of Finance, existing retirement benefit commutation rules remain in place, including a one-third cash lump sum entitlement for pension, retirement annuity and preservation funds, and a 100% cash lump sum entitlement for provident funds.

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