NAMIBIA – Appointment of Chief Executive Officer – Business and Intellectual Property Authority

With effect from 1st January 2026, Ms. Ainna Vilengi Kaundu was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (BIPA) in Namibia.

Ms Kaundu has been an integral part of BIPA for several years, having recently served as Executive of Intellectual Property Services before her appointment as CEO. Widely regarded for her role in the development of intellectual property in Namibia, Ms Kaudu brings a wealth of knowledge and experience into her new role. She was instrumental in the drafting of IP legislation currently in force in Namibia and has spearheaded Namibia’s involvement with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) and other Registries across Africa and internationally. BIPA’s engagement with WIPO culminated in a two-day visit, in November 2023, to Namibia by WIPO’s Director General, Daren Tang.

Ms Kaundu is an admitted legal practitioner and holds a Master of Laws in International Trade and Investment Law from the University of Pretoria and an LLB from the University of Namibia.

In her new role, Ms Kaundu will be responsible for BIPA’s mandate to promote business and intellectual property registrations in order to foster economic growth, innovation and creativity in Namibia.

With an office in Namibia, Adams & Adams travels regularly to Namibia and we look forward to the positive engagements with BIPA under Ms Kaundu’s curatorship.

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