Namibia’s trade with African countries reached N$13.5 billion in July 2026, with the country recording a N$1.2 billion trade deficit as imports from the continent exceeded exports, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
Exports to African markets were valued at N$6.2 billion, accounting for 58.0% of Namibia’s total exports during the month, while imports stood at N$7.3 billion, representing 44.4% of total imports.
The figures highlight the significance of African markets to Namibia’s external trade, although trade remains heavily concentrated within Southern Africa.
“Intra-African trade is vital for promoting economic diversification, industrialisation, and resilience by reducing dependence on external markets,” the NSA said.
South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique were Namibia’s largest African export markets during July.
South Africa also dominated the import side, followed by Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Nigeria.
Non-monetary gold was Namibia’s largest export to African markets, accounting for 30.9% of intra-African exports during the month.
Precious stones, mainly diamonds, accounted for 12.4%, followed by fish at 10.8%, petroleum oils at 9.0% and sulphur and unroasted iron pyrites at 8.0%.
Imports from African countries were led by nickel ores and concentrates, which accounted for 11.9% of intra-African imports.
Commercial motor vehicles contributed 5.6%, ores and concentrates of base metals 4.3%, petroleum oils 3.3% and crude minerals 3.2%.
Despite the broader push to expand trade across the continent, the NSA figures show that Namibia’s African trade remains overwhelmingly concentrated within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Southern Africa accounted for 99.3% of Namibia’s intra-African exports in July, with intra-SADC exports equivalent to 57.6% of the country’s total global exports.
“Intra-SADC exports represented 57.6% of Namibia’s total global export value during the month under review,” the NSA said.
On the import side, 97.7% of goods sourced from African countries originated from SADC member states.
Intra-SADC imports consequently accounted for 43.4% of Namibia’s total imports from the world during July.
The NSA said regional initiatives including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and SADC are aimed at improving market access, strengthening regional value chains and supporting greater economic integration across the continent.
