Namibia exported goods worth N$5.4 billion to African markets in November, with imports from the continent amounting to N$6.7 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of N$1.3 billion and total trade of N$12.1 billion for the month.
Data from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) shows that intra-African exports accounted for 54.2% of Namibia’s total exports, underscoring the continent’s growing importance as a destination for Namibian goods. Imports from Africa represented 46.7% of total imports.
Trade Balance Worsens
Despite strong intra-African trade, Namibia’s overall trade balance recorded a deficit of N$4.4 billion in November, widening from a N$2.9 billion deficit in October. On a year-on-year basis, the trade deficit stood at N$5.5 billion.
The NSA noted that 45.8% of Namibia’s exports were destined for countries outside the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), while 53.3% of imports originated from non-AfCFTA countries.
Key African Trade Partners
Within Africa, Namibia’s main export destinations in November were:
- South Africa
- Zambia
- Botswana
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Côte d’Ivoire
Imports largely originated from South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Eswatini.
Food Trade Records Surplus
Namibia posted a trade surplus of N$291 million in food items in November, driven primarily by strong fish exports.
According to the NSA, fish exports reached N$808 million, making them the single largest contributor to the food trade surplus. Between November 2024 and November 2025, Namibia’s food trade recorded an average surplus of N$326 million, with the highest surplus of N$792 million in July 2025.
Food trade deficits were recorded only once during the period—in November 2024, at N$323 million.
Leading Food Export and Import Categories
Fish and other aquatic invertebrates dominated food exports in November, accounting for 45.6% of total food exports. This was followed by:
- Edible fruits and nuts, including citrus and melons – 26.1%
- Meat and edible meat offal – 16.1%
Together, the top five food export categories made up 93.8% of total food exports.
On the import side, sugar and sugar confectionery led with 13.8%, followed by miscellaneous edible preparations (9.6%) and cereals (8.8%). The top five imported food categories accounted for 49.1% of total food imports.
Beverage Trade Trends
Imports of beverages averaged N$357 million between November 2024 and November 2025, peaking at N$677 million in October 2025. Over the same period, beverage exports averaged N$97 million, with November recording the highest export value at N$179 million.
Outlook
The data highlights Africa’s central role in Namibia’s trade profile, particularly within the AfCFTA framework. However, the widening overall trade deficit points to ongoing structural challenges, reinforcing the need for export diversification, value addition, and deeper regional integration to strengthen Namibia’s trade balance going forward.