SA, China lead Namibia trade

Namibia’s trade deficit narrowed significantly in March, falling to N$2.3 billion as the country’s mining sector continued to drive export growth. New figures released for March 2026 show a marked improvement in the nation’s balance of payments.

The trade gap, the difference between what a country earns from exports and spends on imports, halved from the N$5.2 billion deficit recorded just a month earlier. Data shows that exports reached N$13.2 billion, underpinned by a strong performance in the extractive industries.

China's uranium hunger

Uranium, non-monetary gold, and diamonds remained the cornerstone of the country's economy, with fish being the only non-mineral product to break into the top five export categories. China has cemented its position as Namibia’s largest export market, highlighting the growing economic ties between Windhoek and Beijing.

Meanwhile, South Africa remained the primary source of Namibia’s imports, providing the bulk of the country's fuel and manufactured goods. A notable feature of the month’s data was a sharp 86% monthly increase in re-exports. These are goods, primarily nickel ores, petroleum oils, and textiles, that enter the country from abroad before being shipped to other destinations, often within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

This surge suggests Namibia is increasingly positioning itself as a regional logistics hub, facilitating the movement of industrial materials across borders.

Food and transport

The report also highlighted a "tale of two sectors" regarding consumables. Namibia remains a net exporter of food, recording a surplus of N$462 million, largely driven by its robust fishing and livestock industries. However, the country remains heavily dependent on foreign beverages, recording a N$190 million deficit in that category.

The "commodity of the month" was identified as commercial vehicles. Namibia imported nearly N$1 billion worth of trucks and vans, mainly from South Africa, India, and China, to support its domestic infrastructure and logistics sectors.