Namibia’s export earnings rose sharply to N$13.2 billion in October 2025, a 78.7% increase from the previous month and a 52.9% rise year-on-year.
Despite the strong performance, imports continued to exceed exports, resulting in a trade deficit of N$2.9 billion. This, however, marked an improvement from the N$3.4 billion deficit recorded in September 2025 and the N$7.2 billion shortfall logged in October 2024.
According to the latest International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), the country imported goods worth N$16.1 billion in October 2025. This represented a 48.5% increase from the N$10.8 billion recorded in September and a 1.6% rise compared to the same month in 2024.
“Fish was the only non-mineral product among the top five exports. Moreover, increases of 52.7 percent and 30.4 percent were observed in re-exports month-on-month and year-on-year, respectively,” said NSA CEO and Statistician General, Alex Shimuafeni.
Fish accounted for 8.6% of export earnings, with Spain, Zambia and South Africa among the main destinations. Copper ores and concentrates contributed a further 6.8%, largely destined for South Korea.
China was Namibia’s largest export destination in October, absorbing 29.0% of all goods exported. South Africa followed with 22.0%, while Botswana, Zambia and South Korea rounded off the top five. On the import side, South Africa remained Namibia’s biggest supplier with 36.6% of total imports, followed by China with 14.5%, and India, Oman and Morocco.
Petroleum oils were the largest import commodity, accounting for 10.9% of the import bill. Fertilisers made up 6.1%, while diamonds and medicaments each contributed 3.9%. Motor vehicles for commercial use represented 3.3% of imports.
The NSA noted that the increase in medicament imports was partly due to a significant shipment procured by the Ministry of Health and Social Services under its revised direct procurement policy. Manufactured goods dominated the import basket, valued at N$12.4 billion — a 63.4% rise from September.
Overall, Namibia imported goods from 160 countries in October, up from 146 in September, while exporting to 106 markets, four more than the previous month. This suggests a gradual widening of the country’s global trade footprint.
Within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Namibia exported goods worth N$5.6 billion and imported N$7.6 billion, resulting in a N$2.0 billion intra-Africa trade deficit. Key African destinations for Namibian exports included South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe. Imports from the continent were dominated by South Africa, Zambia, Morocco and Eswatini.
Sea transport remained the dominant mode for exports, carrying 56.0% of total export value, followed by air with 25.1% and road with 18.9%. On the import side, road transport handled 56.7% of all goods, with sea transport accounting for 35.2% and air for 8.0%. In volume terms, Namibia exported 386,215 tonnes of goods and imported 587,922 tonnes during the month.
The Port of Walvis Bay continued to serve as the country’s principal trade gateway, facilitating N$7.3 billion worth of exports and N$5.5 billion in imports. Eros Airport and the Katima Mulilo border post followed Walvis Bay for exports, while Ariamsvlei and the Trans-Kalahari border post ranked second and third for imports.
“A closer review of trade in food items revealed that Namibia was a net exporter of food, recording a surplus of N$89 million, and a net importer of beverages, with a deficit of N$552 million,” Shimuafeni said.
Beverages continued to show a persistent trade gap: Namibia imported N$677 million worth of beverages in October 2025 while exporting only N$125 million. Over the period from October 2024 to October 2025, beverage imports averaged N$355 million per month compared to average exports of N$94 million.
Pesticides, highlighted as the commodity of the month, recorded imports worth N$48 million, mainly from South Africa and Spain. Exports were minimal, totalling N$57,393 and destined for Angola and Panama.
