'Lotteries can help the nation grow,' says Namibia Lottery CEO
Namibia is moving ahead with major reforms to its lottery and gaming sector as regulators attempt to balance economic growth, transparency and consumer protection in one of Africa’s emerging gaming markets.
At the centre of that effort is the Lotteries Board of Namibia, which is currently operationalising the country’s Lotteries Act of 2017 while also preparing stricter oversight measures for promotional competitions and digital gaming activity.
Speaking exclusively at SiGMA Africa in Cape Town, South Africa, John Shimaneni, Chief Executive Officer of the Lotteries Board of Namibia, said the country is working to build a lottery framework that delivers both public trust and long-term economic value.
“People should understand that lotteries are not just games of chance; they can also support national development,” Shimaneni said. “The revenue generated through these activities is often used for good causes and public benefit projects.”
A young and new market
Namibia’s lottery sector remains relatively young compared to larger African gaming markets. The country still does not operate a fully launched national lottery, with private lottery products currently dominating the space. However, regulators now expect a state-backed lottery system to launch within the next 12 to 24 months.
As part of the broader reforms, the Lotteries Board is proposing a five per cent levy on promotional competition prizes across Namibia. Organisers would also be required to pay a processing fee of around N$2,000 ($120) when seeking approval for competitions.
The proposals also show growing concern among regulators over the rapid expansion of gaming-related promotions and competitions, particularly online. Shimaneni explained that Namibia had intentionally chosen a careful path for developing the industry. Under the current framework, the government may either directly operate a lottery or appoint a licensed operator to manage the system.
Because local expertise in lottery operations remains limited, Namibia is leaning toward appointing an experienced licenced operator while regulators focus on oversight and governance.
Governance, part of the process
“For me, governance is the most important part of the process,” Shimaneni said. “Lottery systems are built entirely on public confidence.” The regulator has also spent considerable time studying the challenges faced by more mature African lottery markets, particularly those related to political influence, transparency, and public accountability.
“One of the biggest risks is political influence,” Shimaneni stressed. “If people believe the lottery is tied to political interests, it immediately damages trust.”
“Transparency and showing how lottery revenue benefits society helps build public trust and participation.”
– Johannes Shimaneni, CEO, Lotteries Board of Namibia (LBN)
According to data released by the National Planning Commission of Namibia, the gambling industry generated around N$32 million ($1.9 million) in revenue during the 2024-25 financial year, up sharply from N$9.3 million ($550,000) recorded a year earlier.
Authorities believe that the sector has reached the N$49.5 million ($2.9 million) mark in 2025, while long-term projections suggest the future national lottery alone could eventually exceed N$100 million ($5.9 million) in annual value.
The industry is also becoming an important source of employment. Current estimates suggest more than 4,000 jobs are already supported by gambling-related businesses across the country. At the same time, regulators are attempting to modernise oversight systems as gaming activity becomes increasingly digital.
Moving beyond borders
Shimaneni noted that African regulators are facing many of the same challenges as online gaming expands across borders. He argued that closer cooperation between regulators will become essential for the industry’s future sustainability.
“Digital platforms don’t recognise borders,” he said. “Most jurisdictions face very similar challenges, and there’s no reason countries should constantly reinvent solutions that already exist elsewhere. We also need to develop a stronger African identity for lottery and gaming systems. Regulators across the continent need to work together to create policies and frameworks that truly fit African markets and realities.”
And so, Namibia has strengthened ties with neighbouring regulators as part of that strategy. The country signed a memorandum of understanding with Botswana’s Gaming Authority to improve cooperation, governance standards, and responsible gaming practices.
Authorities are also developing a central monitoring platform under Namibia’s National Development Plan framework to improve transparency and strengthen data collection across the industry.
Despite optimism about the sector’s growth, Shimaneni acknowledged that Namibia remains a relatively small market with a population of around 3 million. And so, future growth will depend on building systems that fit local realities rather than simply copying international models.
“There’s going to be a lot of learning involved,” he said. “The key is making sure the industry grows in a way that is sustainable, trusted and beneficial for the country as a whole.”
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