Namibia’s new Consumer Credit Bill is a step forward—but not without a stumble.
As someone who’s spent years tracing the impact of credit agreements on ordinary Namibians—from pensioners to young families—I must raise the alarm. The latest draft of the Bill, submitted to the Minister of Finance in October 2025, quietly removed Section 110. That section dealt with debt counselling and prescribed debt. Its absence is not just a technical tweak—it’s a blow to consumer dignity.
What Was Removed—and Why It Matters
Section 110 gave NAMFISA the power to regulate debt counselling services. That meant trained professionals could help over-indebted consumers restructure their debts, avoid court action, and regain financial stability.
Without it:
- There’s no formal pathway for consumers to seek help before legal enforcement begins.
- NAMFISA cannot license or regulate debt counsellors.
- Vulnerable Namibians are left to fend for themselves in a system stacked against them.
Debt Counselling Is Not a Handout—It’s a Lifeline
Namibians are proud and resilient. But resilience should not be mistaken for silence. When a mother in Katutura juggles five microloans to keep food on the table, or a pensioner in Oshakati faces repossession over a misunderstood credit facility, we must ask: where is the system that helps them recover?
Debt counselling is about dignity. It’s about giving people the tools to understand their obligations, negotiate fairly, and avoid the spiral of default and shame.
South Africa recognised this years ago. Their National Credit Act includes debt counselling as a statutory remedy. Why should Namibians be denied the same?
A Simple Fix
We’re not asking for bureaucracy. Just one clause that gives NAMFISA the legal authority to regulate debt counselling. Something like:
“The Consumer Credit Regulators may, in accordance with prescribed standards, establish or accredit debt counselling services to assist consumers who are over-indebted or at risk of default.”
This would allow for a national framework—without waiting for another legislative cycle.
Our Call to Action
As Executive Director of the Namibia Consumer Protection Group, I urge Parliament, the Ministry of Finance, and NAMFISA to reinstate debt counselling in the final version of the Bill.
Let’s not build a credit system that punishes hardship. Let’s build one that rehabilitates, educates, and protects.
Because credit should be a bridge—not a trap.
Have thoughts on this? Drop a comment below or share this post with someone who cares about consumer rights. Let’s make our voices heard.
