Namibia’s intra-African trade reached N$12.9 billion in May 2026, with exports to the continent amounting to N$5.9 billion and imports totalling N$7.0 billion.
The country recorded a trade deficit of N$1.2 billion during the month.
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), exports to African markets accounted for 47.2% of Namibia’s total exports, while imports from the continent made up 45.2% of total imports, underscoring the growing importance of regional trade.
South Africa remained Namibia’s largest export destination within Africa, absorbing 39.6% of exports to the continent, followed by Zambia at 24.7%, Botswana at 23.4%, the Democratic Republic of Congo at 8.0% and Zimbabwe at 2.0%.
Namibia’s leading exports to Africa were non-monetary gold, which accounted for 22.8% of shipments, followed by petroleum oils (15.6%), fish (12.0%), diamonds (11.4%) and sulphur and unroasted iron pyrites (4.9%).
Imports from Africa were led by nickel ores and concentrates, which accounted for 17.0% of total imports from the continent, followed by petroleum oils (9.4%), commercial motor vehicles (3.4%), ores and concentrates of base metals (2.7%) and alcoholic beverages (2.3%).
The NSA said regional markets continue to play a significant role in Namibia’s external trade, with almost half of the country’s exports and imports conducted within Africa.
Trade within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) remained the dominant component of Namibia’s regional trade.
According to the agency, 99.7% of Namibia’s exports to Africa were destined for SADC member states, while intra-SADC exports accounted for 47.1% of Namibia’s total global exports.
On the import side, 91.6% of goods imported from Africa originated from SADC countries, representing 41.4% of Namibia’s total global imports.
Botswana accounted for 75.0% of Namibia’s imports from SADC, followed by Eswatini at 19.3%, the Democratic Republic of Congo at 3.3%, Zambia at 0.9% and South Africa at 0.7%.
Nickel ores and concentrates remained the largest intra-SADC import product at 18.6%, followed by commercial motor vehicles (3.7%), ores and concentrates of base metals (2.9%), alcoholic beverages (2.5%) and medicaments (1.9%).
