exports

China factory activity picks up, showing economy’s resilience in face of tariffs

China's manufacturing activity picked up last month, indicating economic resilience in the face of US President Donald Trump slapping more tariffs on China's exports. The latest data comes as policymakers are expected to announce that they'll push China's official budget deficit target to the highest in over three decades. Laura Westbrook reports from Hong Kong.

March 3, 2025 45

Business / Economics

China imposes retaliatory tariffs on $14bn worth of US goods

China has imposed retaliatory tariffs on the US, hitting about $14bn worth of goods and dashing hopes that a trade war between the world's two largest economies could be avoided. Beijing announced the tariffs last week in response to a US decision to impose an additional 10 per cent levy on Chinese products. Laura Westbrook has more.

February 10, 2025 52

Business / Economics

Namibia reports trade deficit of N$5.5 billion

The Namibia Statistics Agency has released the Namibia International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin for the month of November 2024 which indicates that the country’s exports stood at 12.2 billion and imports at 17.7 billion resulting in the country's trade deficit of 5.5 billion. NSA spokesperson, Mirjam Shihepo.

January 16, 2025 42

Business / Economics

President Ramaphosa Reaffirms South Africa’s Commitment to African Continental Free Trade

S.A's President Cyril Ramaphosa says his country is committed to ensuring that continental economic development frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area are a success. He addressed the inaugural South Africa-Angola Business Forum in Pretoria yesterday. South Africa’s exports to Angola have grown by approximately eleven-percent since 2019. Ramaphosa says the country is seeking to revitalise its industrial base, modernise its infrastructure network, and strengthen logistics and supply […]

December 13, 2024 23

Business / Economics

Trade deficit reaches N$3.6 billion in August 2024

The Namibia Statistics Agency has reported a trade balance deficit of N$3.6 billion in August 2024 which is an increase from N$2.1 billion in July and a decrease from N$4.9 billion in August 2023. Exports were adjusted upward by N$7 million, while imports decreased by N$1 million, mainly due to higher export values of fish and precious stones, according to Namibia Statistics Agency spokesperson Mirjam Shihepo.

October 2, 2024 40

Business / Economics

NSA informal cross-border trade study reveals gender disparities

The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) has released the findings of a study conducted in November 2023 on informal cross-border trade. According to the report, Namibia exported goods valued at N$9.1 million and imported goods worth N$1.2 million during the period under review. The NSA's Executive for Economic Statistics, Abel Sindano, emphasized the importance of informal cross-border trade in the region. He said that it plays a critical role in sustaining […]

September 18, 2024 60

Business / Economics

Namibia’s merchandise trade deficit shrinks in June 2024

The Namibia Statistics Agency has released the latest trade statistics bulletin which shows that during June 2024, the country’s trade balance stood at a deficit of N$825 million, a notable improvement when compared to N$3.4 billion and N$1.5 billion recorded in May 2024 and June 2023, respectively. The data also revealed that China emerged as Namibia’s largest market for exports while South Africa took the first position on imports. NSA […]

August 1, 2024 65

Africa

Kenya’s shilling is gaining value, but don’t expect it to last – expert

By Odongo Kodongo, University of the Witwatersrand Shortly after Kenya’s 2022 elections, the shilling depreciated rapidly against the US dollar – the country’s main currency for international transactions – fuelling a wave of political discontent. More than a year later, the Central Bank of Kenya, taking its cue from the International Monetary Fund, said that the run on the shilling was a market correction for a […]

April 17, 2024 13

Africa

Dry weather hits southern Africa’s farmers, putting key maize supplies at risk: how to blunt the impact

By Wandile Sihlobo, Stellenbosch University South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe have recently published reports indicating a potential decline in grain harvest because of intense El Niño-induced dryness. These developments could put the entire Southern Africa maize supply chain at risk, with Zambia and South Africa hard hit by heatwaves and dryness. The neighbouring small producers such as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia are also struggling with dryness. […]

March 7, 2024 29