Trade Deficit

U.S. tariffs threaten Namibia’s key industries

Namibia is among the many countries affected by the latest tariff announcement from the United States, which has imposed a 21% tariff on Namibian exports. The move, part of the Trump administration's broader reciprocal tariff package, aims to balance trade deficits with over 180 countries. Namibia's main exports to the U.S. include diamonds, building stones, fish fillets, beef, and charcoal—industries now facing increased costs and potential declines in trade volumes. […]

4 April, 2025 53

Business / Economics

Namibia’s trade deficit improves in December 2024

Namibia’s trade balance showed a notable improvement in December 2024, standing at a deficit of N$119 million. This marks a significant reduction from the previous month's deficit of N$5.5 billion and December 2023’s deficit of N$969 million. According to the Namibia Statistics Agency's latest Trade International merchandise trade bulletin, South Africa continued to be Namibia’s largest import market, while China remained the top destination for Namibia’s exports. […]

6 February, 2025 22

Business / Economics

Statistics Agency Reports Major Drop in Trade Deficit

The Statistics Agency reports that Namibia’s trade deficit declined drastically from N$5.5 billion in December 2024 to N$119 million in January 2025. These figures are outlined in the latest International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin. Our correspondent is One Africa TV NewsOnOne's Ellen Shihepo: Watch NewsOnOne weeknights on One Africa TV on GoTv channel 84, DSTv 284 or stream on oneafrica.tv

5 February, 2025 28

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.

16 January, 2025 53

South Africa

Mashatile Urges Chinese Enterprises to Boost Investment in South Africa

South Africa's Deputy president Paul Mashatile has encouraged Chinese-funded enterprises in his country to increase their investments in crucial sectors of the economy. Total bilateral trade increased from 614-billion-rand in 2022 to 692-billion-rand in 2023, while China’s 146-billion-rand deficits remained the highest among any of the country’s trading partners. Speaking at the South Africa-China Economic Trade and Association event in Johannesburg yesterday, Mashatile said China as one of the world’s […]

12 December, 2024 44

Business / Economics

Trade Deficit Narrows to N$3.6 Billion in August

In August, trade balance recorded a deficit of N$3.6 billion, an improvement from the N$4.9 billion deficit in August 2023 but higher than the N$2.1 billion deficit in July 2024. Exports saw an upward revision, increasing by N$7 million, while imports were adjusted downwards by N$1 million. The rise in export values was primarily driven by increased sales of fish and precious stones. Namibia Statistics Agency spokesperson, Mirjam Shihepo.

2 October, 2024 30

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 […]

1 August, 2024 68

Opinion Pieces

Namibia Needs a Different Approach to Change the Structural Economy

Opinion Piece By Josef sheehama To attain V2030, Namibia will need to adopt structural reforms that will increase economic growth, facilitate more labor-intensive growth by opening up the labor market, and address an expensive and generally ineffective system of education, training, and skills. The government should support businesses in the manufacturing, construction, and agriculture sectors among others, paying attention to both the educated and the uneducated. As a […]

9 July, 2024 28

Business / Economics

Namibia’s trade deficit hits N$3.3 billion

The Namibia Statistics Agency’s latest International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin shows that during the month of May 2024, the country’s trade balance stood at a deficit of N$3.3 billion, a worsened trade balance when compared to N$3.1 billion and N$2.9 billion recorded in April 2024 and May 2023, respectively. NSA spokesperson, Mirjam Shihepo. Namibia's trade composition by partner showed that South Africa remained Namibia's largest market for both exports […]

2 July, 2024 103