Uranium exports reach N$3 billion in January
Namibia earned N$3 billion in foreign earnings as uranium demand continues to climb, driven largely by a resurgence in nuclear fuel production, according to the latest International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin (IMTSB) released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
Namibia's export value for January 2026 stood at N$11.4 billion, reflecting an increase of 6.7% compared to December 2025, according to the NSA.
Namibia's expenditure on imports stood at N$11.2 billion, representing a decrease of N$138 million from the previous month. The export and import positions translated into a trade surplus of N$193 million.
"Uranium was Namibia's largest exported commodity in January 2026, accounting for 26.3% of total exports, absorbed by China and France. Non-monetary gold emerged as the second most exported commodity, accounting for 15.8% of total exports, destined solely to South Africa. Fish, destined mainly for Spain and Zambia, occupied the third position, accounting for 12.1% of total exports," the NSA said.
The monthly increase in exports of goods was mainly reflected in uranium, which rose by N$1.2 billion; fish, which increased by N$556 million; nickel ores and concentrates, which rose by N$300 million; ores and concentrates of base metals, which increased by N$184 million; and copper and articles of copper, which increased by N$173 million, according to the NSA.
"Regarding the sectoral share of total exports, January 2026 saw the mining and quarrying sector occupying the first position with the largest export value of N$5.7 billion, contributing 50% of the country's total export revenue. This growth was fueled by a N$1 billion increase in exports from this sector compared to the previous month," the NSA said.
"The manufacturing sector occupied the second position, accounting for 42.7% of total exports in January 2026, with the export value from this sector decreasing by N$26 million compared to the previous month," it added.
Meanwhile, investment in the uranium industry grew to almost N$50 billion following a fresh commitment this week to inject N$6.1 billion into Bannerman Energy's Etango uranium project near Swakopmund, according to Namibian Sun.
Since entering the sector in 2012, Chinese firms have invested more than US$2.6 billion, equivalent to nearly N$50 billion, across three operating mines and one advanced development project. Namibia ranks third globally in uranium production and is the only major uranium-producing country in which Chinese state-linked entities hold positions across legacy operations, modern large-scale mines, a restarted asset, and the next major development pipeline.
