Namibia’s import bill rose to N$68.4 billion during the first five months of 2026, up from N$61.5 billion recorded over the same period in 2025, as rising demand for foreign goods continued to widen the gap between imports and exports.
Total exports reached N$54 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of N$1.9 billion.
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency’s (NSA) Merchandise Trade Statistics, Namibia recorded a merchandise trade deficit of N$3.1 billion in May 2026 as the country’s import bill surged to N$15.5 billion, significantly exceeding exports valued at N$12.4 billion.
While the trade deficit improved from the previous month, Namibia’s reliance on imported goods remained evident, with imports increasing by 34.6% compared to May 2025. Exports, meanwhile, rose by 6.6% year-on-year.
“In May 2026, Namibia’s trade figures show exports amounting to N$12.4 billion, while imports were higher at N$15.5 billion, resulting in a trade deficit (a negative difference between the country’s exports and imports) of N$3.1 billion. This development reflects an improved trade balance compared to the N$4.4 billion deficit recorded in April 2026. Further analysis shows that a N$115 million surplus was recorded in the same month of the previous year,” said NSA Statistician-General and CEO Alex Shimuafeni.
The NSA reported that the higher import bill was largely driven by manufactured goods, which accounted for N$10.1 billion of total imports, followed by mining and quarrying products at N$4.9 billion.
Petroleum oils were the largest imported commodity, accounting for 21.3% of total imports, with the United States remaining the principal source.
Other major imports included nickel ores and concentrates, commercial vehicles, sulphur and unroasted iron pyrites, as well as passenger motor vehicles.
“The top five commodities imported into the country jointly accounted for 38.5% of total imports. Petroleum oils emerged at the top of the list during the month under review, accounting for 21.3% of total imports. In second and third positions were nickel ores and concentrates and motor vehicles for commercial purposes, accounting for 7.7% and 3.7% of total imports, respectively. Sulphur and unroasted iron pyrites, and motor vehicles for the transport of persons ranked fourth and fifth, with shares of 3.4% and 2.4%, respectively,” the report said.
On the export side, Namibia’s mining sector remained the largest contributor, generating N$6.6 billion and accounting for more than half of total export earnings.
Uranium was the country’s leading export commodity, contributing 22.3% of exports, with China remaining its primary destination.
Other major exports included fish, precious stones, non-monetary gold, and nickel ores and concentrates. China remained Namibia’s largest export market, absorbing 25.2% of total exports, while South Africa continued to be the country’s largest source of imports, accounting for 31.1% of total imports.
“Uranium was Namibia’s largest exported commodity in May 2026, accounting for 22.3% of total exports, mainly absorbed by China. Fish emerged as the second-largest export, accounting for 11.4% of total exports and destined mainly for Spain, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Precious stones (diamonds), destined mainly for Botswana, the United States and Hong Kong, ranked third, accounting for 10.8% of total exports. Non-monetary gold occupied the fourth position, also accounting for 10.8% of total exports, with all shipments destined for South Africa,” the report said.
The report also highlighted Namibia’s continued positive performance in food trade, with the country recording a N$510 million surplus, supported mainly by fish exports worth N$1.5 billion and meat exports valued at N$426 million.
Beverages, however, remained a net import category, resulting in a trade deficit of N$226 million.
The Port of Walvis Bay continued to play a central role in Namibia’s trade, handling the highest value of both exports and imports during the month.
