Namibia’s northern regions recorded the lowest annual inflation rate in the country in February 2026, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) bulletin released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
Data from the Namibia Consumer Price Index shows that Zone 1, which includes the Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa and Zambezi regions, recorded annual inflation of 1.4%, significantly lower than the 3.5% recorded during the same period in 2025.
The slowdown in prices in the zone was largely driven by weaker increases in categories such as food and non-alcoholic beverages, communication, education, furnishings and household maintenance, and transport.
On a monthly basis, Zone 1 also recorded deflation of 0.1%, compared with an increase of 0.3% in the previous month.
In contrast, Zone 2, which covers the Khomas region and includes the capital Windhoek, recorded the highest annual inflation rate at 3.5%, slightly lower than the 3.7% recorded in February 2025.
Price increases in this zone were mainly linked to higher costs in hotels, cafés and restaurants, food and non-alcoholic beverages, education and transport, although the pace of increases slowed compared with the previous year.
Meanwhile, Zone 3, which includes the ǁKharas, Erongo, Hardap and Omaheke regions, recorded an annual inflation rate of 2.5%, also down from 3.7% a year earlier.
The easing in inflation in this zone was driven by price declines in categories such as clothing and footwear, miscellaneous goods and services, food and non-alcoholic beverages, and alcoholic beverages and tobacco.
Monthly data shows that Zone 3 recorded deflation of 0.2%, compared with a 0.9% increase in the previous month, reflecting falling prices across several consumer categories.
The statistics agency noted that the national Consumer Price Index is designed to reflect price movements across Namibia’s entire economic territory, covering both urban and rural households across all income groups, based on data from the Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey.
Price comparisons across regions show notable variations. For example, the average price of maize meal (5kg) stood at N$67.16 in Zone 1, N$63.37 in Zone 2, and N$71.77 in Zone 3.
Meanwhile, beef stew per kilogram averaged N$108.99 in Zone 1, N$104.19 in Zone 2, and N$113.96 in Zone 3 during February 2026.
