Trade deficit hits N$5.3bn in August
STAFF REPORTER
Namibia’s trade balance deteriorated sharply in August 2025, recording a deficit of N$5.3 billion - the worst performance since the beginning of the year, according to the latest International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS) released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
The August figure marked a dramatic reversal from July’s modest deficit of just N$13 million, signalling a significant shift in the country’s trading position. NSA data revealed that between August 2024 and August 2025, Namibia consistently recorded trade deficits, with only May and June 2025 providing brief relief through consecutive surpluses. Over this twelve-month period, the average trade deficit stood at N$2.7 billion, which the NSA said “indicates the country’s continued reliance on foreign goods to meet domestic demand.”
Petroleum oils were the largest contributor to the imbalance, with imports outpacing exports by N$1.5 billion in August. Motor vehicles for commercial use accounted for the second-largest shortfall at N$429 million, followed by passenger vehicles at N$363 million.
By contrast, several sectors delivered strong export earnings. Non-monetary gold generated the largest trade surplus at N$1.6 billion, followed by fish exports at N$1.3 billion. Uranium also contributed positively with a surplus of N$546 million.
“The analysis clearly shows that Namibia’s trade deficit is concentrated on manufactured commodities, while surpluses are realised on mining commodities and fish,” the NSA noted.
Import sources varied across categories. Petroleum oils were mainly supplied by India, Oman and Bahrain. Commercial motor vehicles came largely from South Africa and China, while passenger vehicles originated mostly from South Africa, Japan and India.
Other notable imports included nickel ores and concentrates from Zambia, and civil engineering and contractors’ equipment primarily from China and the United States.
Namibia’s trade balance deteriorated sharply in August 2025, recording a deficit of N$5.3 billion - the worst performance since the beginning of the year, according to the latest International Merchandise Trade Statistics (IMTS) released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
The August figure marked a dramatic reversal from July’s modest deficit of just N$13 million, signalling a significant shift in the country’s trading position. NSA data revealed that between August 2024 and August 2025, Namibia consistently recorded trade deficits, with only May and June 2025 providing brief relief through consecutive surpluses. Over this twelve-month period, the average trade deficit stood at N$2.7 billion, which the NSA said “indicates the country’s continued reliance on foreign goods to meet domestic demand.”
Petroleum oils were the largest contributor to the imbalance, with imports outpacing exports by N$1.5 billion in August. Motor vehicles for commercial use accounted for the second-largest shortfall at N$429 million, followed by passenger vehicles at N$363 million.
By contrast, several sectors delivered strong export earnings. Non-monetary gold generated the largest trade surplus at N$1.6 billion, followed by fish exports at N$1.3 billion. Uranium also contributed positively with a surplus of N$546 million.
“The analysis clearly shows that Namibia’s trade deficit is concentrated on manufactured commodities, while surpluses are realised on mining commodities and fish,” the NSA noted.
Import sources varied across categories. Petroleum oils were mainly supplied by India, Oman and Bahrain. Commercial motor vehicles came largely from South Africa and China, while passenger vehicles originated mostly from South Africa, Japan and India.
Other notable imports included nickel ores and concentrates from Zambia, and civil engineering and contractors’ equipment primarily from China and the United States.
