Job Dubihlela, Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Kofi Boamah, Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Global demands for improved governance practices have brought about tremendous changes in internal audit function. This study examines the factors associated with internal audit effectiveness playing a pivotal role in addressing the challenges facing the economic and productive state-owned enterprises in Namibia. Using a sample of selected diverse economic and productive state-owned enterprises, a quantitative approach was employed to conduct the research and data analysed via the variance based structural equation modeling, and the results suggest that internal audit effectiveness could positively impact on risk management practices of the economic and productive state-owned enterprises given a conducive internal audit environment. This study will augment the understanding of IA practices in the country and contribute to knowledge enhancement on the continent. The recommendations, therefore, have implications for policymakers, regulators and researchers in assessing the effectiveness of internal audit function in advancing the governance practices of the economic and productive state-owned enterprises.