Namibia posted a trade deficit of N$1 billion with African countries in July, the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has reported.
According to the NSA, Namibia’s exports to Africa were valued at N$5.1 billion, while imports from the continent reached N$6.1 billion. Intra-Africa exports accounted for 40.7% of Namibia’s total exports, while imports represented 48.7% of the overall figure.
South Africa remained Namibia’s largest trading partner, absorbing 44.9% of exports and supplying 83% of imports. “Other key destinations for Namibian exports included Botswana, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique. Imports also came from Nigeria and Morocco, in addition to South Africa, Zambia and the DRC,” the NSA said.
The agency noted that Namibia recorded a trade surplus of N$1.3 billion with Botswana, but this was offset by a N$2.9 billion deficit with South Africa.
Namibia’s exports were dominated by non-monetary gold, which made up 29.4% of the total. Precious stones, including diamonds, contributed 20.4%, followed by fish at 12.5%, petroleum oils at 6.7% and base metal ores and concentrates at 3.1%.
On the import side, major goods included motor vehicles for the transportation of goods at 5.9%, base metal ores and concentrates at 4.1%, fertilisers at 4.0%, sugars at 3.8% and nickel ores and concentrates at 3.7%.
At the broader level, Namibia’s overall trade in July 2025 recorded exports and imports of N$12.6 billion each, resulting in a deficit of N$58 million. Exports rose by 3.3% compared to June 2025 and by 25.9% year-on-year, while imports increased by 11.7% month-on-month and 5.3% compared to July 2024.
South Africa accounted for 18.3% of Namibia’s global exports, followed by China at 13.6%. Other key markets included Botswana, India and France. On the import side, South Africa supplied 40.8% of total imports, followed by China at 10.2%, with Germany, the United Arab Emirates and the United States also among the top five sources.
