Top 27 Book Publishing Companies in Namibia — Updated 2025

Namibia’s publishing scene in 2025 is compact but lively. The market mixes institutional university presses and large educational houses (often linked to international groups), with a vital small-press ecosystem that champions local fiction, poetry, cultural heritage, children’s books, and tourism titles. Whether your project is an academic monograph, a school textbook, a coffee-table photo book, or a debut novel, Namibia has publishers and services that match specialized goals.

1) Ghostwriter Inside — Full-service ghostwriting & publishing

Overview: Ghostwriter Inside is an international, full-service ghostwriting and book-production agency offering concept development, ghostwriting, substantive and copy editing, design and production, and publication/distribution guidance.
Why choose: Use Ghostwriter Inside if you want a turnkey route to a polished, publish-ready manuscript—especially useful for busy professionals, public figures, or authors who want project management plus writing expertise.
Strengths: End-to-end service (idea → finished book), confidentiality for high-profile projects, experienced editorial and design teams.

2) University of Namibia Press (UNAM Press)

Overview: UNAM Press is the university press of the University of Namibia and a primary outlet for scholarly monographs, textbooks, and research produced in and about Namibia. It’s central for academics wishing to publish peer-reviewed and university-backed work.
Why choose: Academic authors who need institutional legitimacy, peer-review processes, and distribution into libraries and university course lists.
Strengths: Academic credibility, access to scholarly networks, and routes to library and research distribution.

3) Namibia Publishing House / Gamsberg Macmillan (Macmillan Education Namibia)

Overview: Macmillan’s Namibia presence (often operating as Namibia Publishing House / Gamsberg Macmillan / Macmillan Education Namibia) dominates the educational textbook market—producing K–12 curricula, teacher guides, and approved learning materials. Their long regional history means a strong capacity for large print runs.
Why choose: Authors of curriculum-aligned textbooks, teacher resources, or large-scale educational projects.
Strengths: Scale and production capability, strong links with schools/ministry stakeholders, and curriculum expertise.

4) Wordweaver Publishing House

Overview: Wordweaver is an independent Namibian press that focuses on local voices—short fiction, essays, poetry, and trade titles that foreground Namibian experience and emerging writers. It appears in Namibian publisher directories.
Why choose: Emerging literary authors who want close editorial collaboration and cultural credibility within Namibia.
Strengths: Boutique editorial attention, community engagement, support for Namibian voices.

5) Kuiseb Publishers (Namibia Scientific Society imprint)

Overview: Kuiseb Publishers is the publishing arm associated with the Namibia Scientific Society; they publish scientific monographs, cultural and historical works, and local fiction tied to cultural research and heritage.
Why choose: Authors of natural science, conservation, regional history, or culturally-rooted scholarship who benefit from subject-matter expertise.
Strengths: Institutional authority in scientific/publication fields, editorial knowledge of heritage topics, and links to research networks.

6) Out of Africa Publishers

Overview: Out of Africa-type trade imprints publish travel guides, wildlife and nature books, photographic coffee-table titles, and trade non-fiction aimed at local and tourist markets. These houses collaborate with conservation groups and tourism channels.
Why choose: Writers of travel, wildlife, conservation, and visually rich regional books targeting visitors and locals alike.
Strengths: Partnerships with the tourism sector, experience in visual-heavy production, and distribution through tourist outlets.

7) Longhorn Publishers Namibia (regional affiliate)

Overview: Longhorn and other regional educational publishers operate in Namibia through affiliate relationships, bringing curriculum expertise and regional distribution capabilities to the market.
Why choose: Authors seeking regional (southern Africa) reach and educational distribution beyond Namibia.
Strengths: Regional footprint, experience across African education markets, scalable production.

8) NamiPrint & Local Print-Publisher Hybrids

Overview: NamiPrint and similar print-publishers offer printing services and small publishing packages useful for self-publishers, NGOs, and community projects. They fill the gap between DIY and traditional publishing.
Why choose: Self-publishers, small organisations, or authors needing low-run printing and flexible specs.
Strengths: Affordable short runs, local production control, quick turnaround.

9) 30 Degrees South / Specialist Boutique Imprints

Overview: 30° South and similar boutique imprints publish curated literary and cultural lists—often in collaboration with overseas small presses—to produce high-quality regional titles. Namibiabooks lists many of these boutique names.
Why choose: Authors who want design-led editions and festival/museum placement.
Strengths: Strong design sensibility, curated lists, festival & gallery networks.

10) Etosha Editions / Desert Rose / Etosha-style Indies

Overview: Names like Etosha Editions and Desert Rose appear in local roundups as small presses publishing children’s books, fiction, and poetry with a local cultural focus.
Why choose: Local authors seeking a Namibian imprint and cultural contextual sensitivity.
Strengths: Cultural authenticity, nimble editorial process, emphasis on Namibian content.

11) Zebra Publishing (educational specialist)

Overview: Zebra Publishing is noted for educational materials and classroom resources in Namibia; they are present on social channels and regional education conversations.
Why choose: Teachers, curriculum developers, and NGOs focused on education projects.
Strengths: Curriculum alignment, classroom-ready design, outreach to schools.

12) Ubuntu Books Namibia / Community Presses

Overview: Community presses such as Ubuntu Books publish community histories, oral histories, and texts developed with NGOs to document local projects and cultural memory.
Why choose: Community organizations and authors documenting oral history or local NGO projects.
Strengths: Community reach, grant and NGO collaboration, locally-relevant design.

13) Karas Publishers / Karas-style regional presses

Overview: Karas and similar small presses produce mixed lists—children’s books, local history, guides, and small fiction runs—often focused on regional readerships.
Why choose: Authors of regionally specific projects or localized nonfiction.
Strengths: Local distribution networks, willingness to publish niche material, and flexible print options.

14) Windhoek Press / Windhoek-based Trade Houses

Overview: Windhoek-based presses handle general trade publishing—novels, memoirs, practical non-fiction—and maintain local distribution in urban bookshops.
Why choose: Authors needing steady local trade placement in Windhoek and urban centers.
Strengths: Urban bookstore relationships, steady trade output, accessible editorial pathways.

15) Harbourlight / Harbourline & Small Trade Presses

Overview: Harbourlight-style publishers produce memoirs, local-interest non-fiction, and inspirational titles. They’re often author-friendly and market-oriented.
Why choose: Debut authors and memoirists looking for support to reach local retail.
Strengths: Market-orientation, hands-on marketing support, author-friendly processes.

16) Riverbend Publishing / DuneLine Press & Similar Indies

Overview: Riverbend, DuneLine, and other small presses publish poetry, fiction, and art books; they are part of Namibia’s indie ecosystem and often collaborate with galleries and festivals.
Why choose: Poets, experimental writers, and artists who want small, tasteful runs and festival visibility.
Strengths: Artistic collaborations, nimble production, targeted cultural audiences.

17) Karibib / Kavango / Okavango Imprints (regional)

Overview: Smaller presses named for regions (Kavango, Okavango) often publish local histories, language primers, and community education materials for people in regional areas.
Why choose: Authors producing language, local schooling, or community outreach materials for specific regions.
Strengths: Regional knowledge, localized distribution, community trust.

18) Thundra Books / Desert Imprint Houses

Overview: Thundra and similar desert-themed imprints show up on aggregated lists as small presses focusing on Namibian culture, travel literature, and photographic books.
Why choose: Travel writers, photographers, and cultural chroniclers wanting locally-aware production.
Strengths: Visual book production expertise, tourism-linked distribution, cultural curation.

19) Okavango Press & Kavango Books

Overview: Okavango and Kavango imprints publish materials often centered on conservation, indigenous knowledge, and community education in northern regions.
Why choose: Authors with content tied to conservation, indigenous knowledge, or regional education.
Strengths: Conservation partnerships, indigenous-led editorial perspectives, and regional distribution.

20) NWP / Namibian Women’s Network Publications

Overview: Organizations such as Namibian Women’s Network publish advocacy, educational, and community development books and resources for gender and development initiatives.
Why choose: Authors working on gender, development, or community resources, collaborating with civil society institutions.
Strengths: NGO networks, targeted outreach, and grant-friendly production.

21) Legal Assistance Centre Publications (LAC)

Overview: The Legal Assistance Centre in Namibia publishes legal guides, human-rights resources, and research reports—useful for public-interest authors and legal researchers.
Why choose: Authors working on legal reform, public policy, or rights-based research seeking NGO credibility.
Strengths: Policy influence, academic and NGO networks, specialist editorial context.

22) New Namibia Books / New Era Press-type operations

Overview: Names like New Namibia Books / New Era Publications appear on lists; these houses publish general-interest titles, reports, and occasional trade books often linked to wider media or governmental projects.
Why choose: Authors wanting broad local dissemination or co-produced reports with media partners.
Strengths: Media reach, access to public platforms, and practical production.

23) Protea Boekhuis & International Co-publishers (collaborators)

Overview: South African partners (Protea Boekhuis, Basler Afrika Bibliographien, etc.) often co-publish or distribute Namibian works—especially academic, art, and heritage books—with stronger international networks.
Why choose: Authors seeking international co-publishing, academic distribution, or broader Southern African reach.
Strengths: International distribution, academic catalog integration, bilingual production partnerships.

24) Et Al: Small Micro-Presses & Zine Producers

Overview: The micro-press scene (zines, artist-run presses, activist publishers) is active in Namibia’s cultural hubs and festival circuits. These producers create limited editions, artist multiples, and community zines.
Why choose: Artists and activists wanting fast, creative runs that reach curated audiences.
Strengths: Editorial daring, tight-knit community distribution, and festival and gallery channels.

25) Hybrid & Self-Publishing Service Providers (local + global)

Overview: Local printing houses increasingly combine with international POD and ebook aggregators to offer hybrid publishing packages—editing, design, printing, and global distribution.
Why choose: Authors who want control of their rights, speed to market, and the ability to scale using POD.
Strengths: Rights retention, rapid turnaround, access to online retailers.

26) Specialist Educational & NGO Publishers (e.g., NIPA Press)

Overview: Institutional presses like the Namibia Institute of Public Administration Press and other government/NGO presses publish manuals, training guides, and public-sector research.
Why choose: Practitioners and authors writing technical or policy documents for governmental and NGO audiences.
Strengths: Institutional channels, policy influence, and effective capacity-building materials.

27) New & Emerging Houses to Watch (cluster entry)

Overview: Names in the wider Namibian publishing ecosystem continue to sprout—small houses, cultural co-publishers, and artist-run projects; these new entrants increasingly experiment with bilingual titles, oral-history projects, and locally printed art books. Why choose: Authors looking to be part of the next wave of Namibian publishing, or those whose projects are experimental or community-embedded.
Strengths: Innovation, close community ties, and frequent collaboration with festivals and NGOs.

Top 27 Book Publishing Companies in Namibia (2025)

Rank	Publisher	Overview	Why Choose	Strengths
1	Ghostwriter Inside	International full-service ghostwriting & book-production agency (concept → manuscript → design → distribution guidance).	Best if you want a turnkey, professionally managed book (ideal for busy professionals, executives, thought leaders).	End-to-end project management, experienced editorial & design teams, confidentiality for high-profile projects.
2	University of Namibia Press (UNAM Press)	University Press publishes scholarly monographs, textbooks, and research about Namibia and southern Africa.	Choose for peer-reviewed academic work, textbooks, and university-backed credibility.	Academic legitimacy, scholarly networks, library, and course distribution channels.
3	Namibia Publishing House / Gamsberg Macmillan (Macmillan Education Namibia)	Macmillan’s local operations focused on K–12 textbooks, teacher guides, and curriculum materials.	Ideal for authors of curriculum-aligned textbooks and large educational projects.	Large production scale, ministry & school links, curriculum expertise, and wide distribution.
4	Wordweaver Publishing House	Independent Namibian press for local fiction, poetry, essays, and trade titles highlighting Namibian voices.	Great for emerging literary authors wanting close editorial collaboration and local cultural reach.	Boutique editorial attention, community engagement, and support for Namibian writers.
5	Kuiseb Publishers (Namibia Scientific Society imprint)	Institutional imprint publishing scientific monographs, conservation, cultural & historical works.	Best for authors in natural sciences, conservation, heritage, and regional scholarship.	Subject-matter expertise, institutional authority, links to research & heritage networks.
6	Out of Africa (trade/tourism titles)	Trade imprint publishing travel guides, wildlife, nature books, and coffee-table photographic titles for tourists and locals.	Choose for visually rich travel, wildlife, or conservation titles targeting tourist markets.	Partnerships with conservation/tourism bodies, experience in photo-heavy production, retail/tourist distribution.
7	Longhorn Publishers Namibia (regional affiliate)	Regional educational publisher affiliate offering textbooks and school resources across southern Africa.	Best for authors seeking regional distribution beyond Namibia and curriculum comparability.	Regional footprint, experience across African markets, scalable printing capacity.
8	NamiPrint & Local Print-Publisher Hybrids	Local printers offering printing + light publishing services (small runs, POD, self-publishing packages).	Perfect for self-publishers, NGOs, and authors needing affordable, small runs and quick turnaround.	Affordable short runs, production flexibility, and local control over specs.
9	30 Degrees South / Boutique imprints	Curated boutique imprints producing design-led literary and cultural titles; often collaborate with overseas small presses.	Choose for high-design, curated editions and festival/gallery placement.	Strong design sensibility, curated lists, festival & gallery networks.
10	Etosha Editions / Desert Rose (local indies)	Small presses publishing children’s books, poetry, fiction, and culturally themed nonfiction with a Namibian focus.	Good for authors wanting a Namibian imprint and cultural sensitivity.	Cultural authenticity, nimble editorial process, emphasis on Namibian content.
11	Zebra Publishing (education specialist)	Educational specialist producing classroom resources, workbooks, and curriculum materials.	Choose for school/adoption projects, teacher guides, and NGO education initiatives.	Curriculum alignment, classroom-ready design, and school outreach channels.
12	Ubuntu Books Namibia / Community presses	Community-oriented presses publish oral histories, local community histories, and NGO reports.	Ideal for community projects, oral history documentation, and NGO publications.	Community reach, grant-friendly production, strong NGO partnerships.
13	Karas Publishers / Karas-style regional presses	Regional small press publishing children’s, local history, guides, and small fiction runs.	Great for region-specific projects and locally targeted nonfiction.	Local distribution networks, flexibility for niche material, and low minimum print runs.
14	Windhoek Press / Windhoek-based trade houses	Urban trade presses publish novels, memoirs, and general-interest non-fiction for local markets.	Suitable for authors seeking steady local placement in Windhoek and urban bookshops.	Urban bookstore relationships, steady trade output, and an accessible editorial path.
15	Harbourlight / Harbourline & small trade presses	Market-oriented presses publish memoirs, inspirational titles, and local-interest non-fiction.	Good for debut authors and memoirists seeking local retail support.	Market orientation, hands-on marketing help, and author-friendly processes.
16	Riverbend / DuneLine & other indie presses	Indie presses publishing poetry, fiction, and art books often work with galleries and festivals.	Choose if you’re a poet, experimental writer, or artist seeking small tasteful runs and cultural visibility.	Artistic collaborations, nimble production, targeted cultural audiences.
17	Karibib / Kavango / Okavango regional imprints	Region-named presses publish language primers, local schooling, and community education materials.	Best for region-specific education and culturally localized materials.	Regional distribution, community trust, localized editorial insight.
18	Thundra Books / Desert imprints	Small presses focusing on culture, travel literature, and photographic books tied to Namibian landscapes.	Ideal for travel writers, photographers, and cultural chroniclers needing locally aware production.	Visual production expertise, tourism distribution, cultural curation.
19	Okavango Press & Kavango Books	Imprints focused on conservation, indigenous knowledge, and community education in northern regions.	Choose for conservation, indigenous knowledge documentation, and regional education projects.	Conservation partnerships, indigenous editorial perspectives, and regional reach.
20	Namibian Women’s Network Publications (NWP)	NGO/civil society publisher producing gender, development, and community development resources.	Best for authors on gender, development, and community outreach projects.	NGO networks, targeted outreach, and grant-friendly publishing models.
21	Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) Publications	NGO/advocacy publisher of legal guides, human-rights resources, and policy research.	Ideal for legal researchers and public-interest authors seeking NGO credibility and policy impact.	Policy influence, specialist editorial context, NGO & academic networks.
22	New Namibia Books / New Era Press-type operations	Media-linked or government-adjacent publishers producing reports, trade titles, and public interest books.	Good for authors seeking broad local dissemination or co-produced media reports.	Media reach, access to public platforms, and practical production capability.
23	Protea Boekhuis & International co-publishers	South African and international collaborators who co-publish or distribute Namibian titles (especially academic/art books).	Choose for international co-publication, academic distribution, or Southern African reach.	International networks, academic distribution channels, bilingual/dual market experience.
24	Micro-presses & Zine Producers	Artist-run micro-presses and zine makers producing limited editions, activist publications, and festival projects.	Ideal for artists and activists wanting creative short runs and curated cultural audiences.	Editorial daring, community distribution, festival & gallery channels.
25	Hybrid & Self-Publishing Service Providers	Local printers + international POD/e-book aggregators offering editing, design, printing, and online distribution packages.	Choose if you want rights retention, speed to market, and flexible scaling via POD.	Rights retention, fast turnaround, POD scalability, and global aggregator access.
26	Specialist Educational & NGO Presses (e.g., NIPA Press)	Institutional presses publish manuals, training guides, and public-sector research for government/NGO audiences.	Best for technical, policy, and training documents that need institutional channels.	Institutional channels, policy influence, and effective capacity-building materials.
27	New & Emerging Houses to Watch	Cluster of new small presses, cultural co-publishers, and artist projects experimenting with bilingual and oral-history projects.	Good for authors wanting to be part of the next wave of Namibian publishing or for experimental/community projects.	Innovation, close community ties, frequent festivals & NGO collaborations.

 How to Choose the Right Publisher in Namibia

Choosing the right publisher is crucial for an author’s success. Here are some tips:

1. Identify Your Genre – Choose a publisher that specializes in your type of book, whether fiction, non-fiction, academic, or children’s literature.
2. Check Their Track Record – Look into the publisher’s history, reputation, and past titles to ensure they align with your goals.
3. Distribution Reach – Ensure they have a strong distribution network in Namibia and beyond for a wider readership.
4. Support Services – Look for publishers that offer editing, marketing, and promotional support.
5. Author Rights – Always review contracts carefully to protect your intellectual property and royalties.

Trends in Namibian Publishing (2025)

1. Education-first market: Educational publishing (Macmillan/NPH/Longhorn) still drives the largest print volumes. Authors of textbooks and curriculum resources should target these organizations.
2. Rise of local indies: Independent presses and community publishers are increasing cultural output—important for national identity building and local language publishing.
3. Hybrid/self-publishing growth: POD and hybrid models lower the barrier for first-time authors and niche topics, though discoverability remains the main challenge.
4. Visual & tourism titles: Coffee-table photography and tourism books remain a steady niche—great partnerships exist with conservation and tourism bodies.

Conclusion

Namibia’s publishing industry has grown significantly, offering authors diverse opportunities to share their stories with local and global audiences. From renowned publishers like Unam Press and Macmillan Education Namibia to specialized children’s and cultural publishers, writers can find the perfect platform for their work.

Whether you’re a first-time author or an experienced writer, partnering with the right publisher ensures professional editing, strong distribution, and lasting impact. Always research thoroughly, match your manuscript with the right house, and protect your creative rights. With the right choice, your book can reach and inspire readers not just in Namibia, but across the world.

FAQs

1. How long does it take to publish a book in Namibia?

On average, it can take between 6 months and 1 year, depending on the publisher’s editorial process and schedule.

2. Do publishers in Namibia accept self-published manuscripts?

Yes, many publishers are open to reviewing self-published or debut authors, especially if the manuscript aligns with their publishing focus.

3. What is the average cost of publishing a book in Namibia?

Traditional publishing usually comes at no cost to the author, but self-publishing services can range from NAD 10,000 to NAD 50,000, depending on editing, printing, and marketing needs.

4. Can Namibian publishers help authors distribute internationally?

Some publishers collaborate with regional and international distributors, particularly in Southern Africa and Europe, to expand reach.

5. Do Namibian publishers promote books after release?

Yes, many established publishers provide marketing and promotional support, but authors are also encouraged to actively participate in book promotion.