Namibia 2026
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Group Legal and Company Secretary | Ongos Valley Development
Head: Legal Compliance and Company Secretary | National Disability Council of Namibia
Executive: Regulatory & Corporate Legal Services | CRAN - Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia
Legal Advisor and Licensing Services | Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory (NAMFISA)
Manager: Legal, Complaince and AML | Mobile Telecommunications (MTC)
Anti-Money Laundering Manager(Financial Crime), Governance and Compliance Department | Letshego Holdings NamibiaÂ
Manager: Corporate Communications and Legal ServicesManager | Electricity Control Board (ECB)
Company Secretary and Senior Manager for Legal, Risk and Compliance | Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board
General Manager: Governance, Legal and Risk Management | Namibian Agronomic Board
Chief Legal Advisor and Company Secretary | Namibian Ports Authority
Head of Governance, Risk and Compliance | Electricity Control Board
Manager Legal, Complaince, Risk, and Compnay Secretary | Namforce Lide Insurance
Legal Director and Company Secretary | Namibia Breweries
Head of Legal Services and Regulatory Affairs | Telecom NamibiaÂ
Chief Risk and Legal Officer | GIPF (Government Institutions Pension Fund)
Head of Legal, Governance & Compliance, and Company Secretary | Letshego Holdings NamibiaÂ
Head of Legal Services an Company Secretary | Namibia Water Corporation
Chief Legal, Compliance and Risk Officer | Mobile Telecommunications (MTC)
On behalf of Legal 500, I am delighted to introduce the inaugural GC Powerlist: Namibia 2026. This first edition highlights the general counsel and in-house legal teams who play a crucial role in shaping Namibia’s corporate and legal landscape. Through our research, we spoke with professionals who not only provide expert legal guidance but also influence strategy, drive transformation, and support business growth. We were thrilled to receive a strong volume of nominations from Namibian law firms and in-house teams, reflecting the country’s dynamic and highly engaged legal community.
Across Namibia, general counsel are increasingly moving beyond traditional advisory roles. They are central to navigating complex and evolving regulatory frameworks, enabling innovation, supporting governance and compliance priorities, and guiding their organisations through periods of rapid change. The GC Powerlist: Namibia 2026 celebrates those who combine deep legal expertise with leadership, vision, and tangible impact.
Managing uncertainty and building resilience is a common theme. As Josephine Shigwedha explains:
‘Resilience is built through discipline, foresight, and integrity. By maintaining focus, remaining committed to excellence, and grounding all actions in the law, the legal function can serve as a stabilising force during periods of uncertainty.’
A complementary perspective emphasises operational discipline and accountability, as Wahliet Bauleth says:
‘I treat a crisis as both an operational event and a governance test… speed cannot come at the cost of accountability.’
Technology and transformation also feature prominently. As Shigwedha notes, automation is shifting legal teams ‘away from purely reactive roles towards more strategic, data-driven functions,’ while Bauleth emphasises that AI is a ‘force-multiplier in operational compliance rather than a substitute for legal judgment.’ Taken together, these perspectives highlight the strengths of Namibia’s in-house legal community: resilient, strategically minded, and forward-looking.
Legal teams are increasingly doing more than managing risk; they are helping shape business strategy, informing key decisions, and delivering measurable impact. The GC Powerlist: Namibia 2026 reflects this shift across the country’s legal community: from risk management to strategic influence, from technical advice to business impact, and from individual contribution to collaborative excellence. We are pleased to present this inaugural GC Powerlist in Namibia, recognising the legal professionals who are shaping the future of corporate law while connecting local insight with global influence.
On 3 September, after the success of the Kenya launch, Legal 500 hosted the second official launch event for the GC Powerlist: East Africa 2026, in partnership with ENS. Held at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, Uganda, the evening brought together many of the region’s leading in-house lawyers, with a particular focus on celebrating the strength and contribution of Uganda’s legal community.
The event commenced with welcoming remarks from Giulio Tomassi Galanti, Business Development Manager at Legal 500, who highlighted the dynamic growth and increasing sophistication of the East African legal market. He also reflected on the rigorous research and selection process behind the GC Powerlist series, congratulating this year’s honourees for their outstanding contributions to both the legal profession and the organisations they serve.
Giulio was followed by Rachel Musoke, Head of ENS Uganda, who addressed the audience and applauded the exceptional achievements of those recognised in the 2026 edition.
Following the formal certificate presentation ceremony, Candy Wekesa Okoboi, Head of Legal at Stanbic Bank Uganda, was invited to speak on behalf of the honourees. She reflected on the significance of being recognised by the publication and emphasised the importance of bringing together East Africa’s in-house legal community to celebrate shared achievements, strengthen professional connections, and support the continued development of the profession across the region.
The Kampala launch of the GC Powerlist: East Africa 2026 proved a fitting celebration of the region’s outstanding in-house legal talent. The evening showcased the depth of expertise, leadership, and innovation present across East Africa’s corporate counsel community, while reaffirming Legal 500’s commitment to recognising and championing its achievements. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s research process, and to ENS for once again partnering with Legal 500 to provide a platform that honours these exceptional legal professionals.
