Namibia to ban foreign land ownership in new land bill

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Namibia will ban the ownership of land by foreign nationals under a proposed new law, an official said on Thursday.

Speaking to lawmakers while presenting the ministry's budget, Namibian Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Ingenesia Inge Zaamwani said the bill prohibits foreign nationals from owning land or being allocated customary land rights.

"The Land Bill aims to enhance and promote equitable access to land, particularly for the landless, farmers in corridors, women, and youth," Zaamwani said.

The legislation was introduced in March but delayed due to the end of the parliamentary term, said Zaamwani, adding that it will be reintroduced soon.

The move aligns with Namibia's efforts to address historical land imbalances. The government has already acquired farms to expand communal land, including in the Khomas Region, which previously had none, she said.

"The onus will be upon us to support the Land Bill in order to ensure that there is balanced land distribution," the minister said.