CHAMWE KAIRA
The annual inflation rate accelerated to 4.1% in May, up from 3.5% recorded in the corresponding period a year earlier, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
NSA Statistician-General and chief executive officer, Alex Shimuafeni, said the headline inflation rate for the 12 months ending May reached 4.1%, while the overall price level increased by 1.2% on a month-on-month basis, compared to 1.1% recorded in April 2026.
Core inflation, which excludes certain volatile items, stood at 3.1%, remaining below the headline inflation rate.
The agency’s zonal analysis showed that Zone 2, comprising the Khomas Region, recorded the highest annual inflation rate at 5.4% in May 2026.
This was followed by Zone 3, which includes the //Kharas, Erongo, Hardap and Omaheke regions, with an inflation rate of 3.6%.
Zone 1, covering the Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa and Zambezi regions, recorded the lowest annual inflation rate at 3.2%.
Consumers in Zone 3 paid the highest average price for a 5kg bag of maize meal at N$73.53, followed by Zone 1 at N$70.14. Zone 2 consumers paid the lowest average price at N$68.22.
For diesel, Zone 1 recorded the highest average price at N$28.94 per litre, followed closely by Zone 3 at N$28.89, while Zone 2 recorded the lowest average price at N$28.75 per litre.
In Zone 1, annual inflation slowed to 3.2% from 3.5% recorded in May 2025. The deceleration was largely attributed to slower price increases in recreation and culture, food and non-alcoholic beverages, furniture and household equipment, and alcoholic beverages and tobacco.
On a monthly basis, inflation in Zone 1 stood at 1.1%, down slightly from 1.2% in the previous month.
Zone 2 experienced the strongest inflationary pressures, with annual inflation rising to 5.4% from 3.1% a year earlier.
The increase was mainly driven by higher prices in transport, health, furniture and household equipment, and recreation and culture.
Month-on-month inflation in Zone 2 increased to 1.2% from 1.0% recorded in April.
Meanwhile, Zone 3 recorded an annual inflation rate of 3.6%, compared to 4.0% in May 2025.
The slower rate of inflation was mainly linked to lower price growth in alcoholic beverages and tobacco, miscellaneous goods and services, and food and non-alcoholic beverages.
On a monthly basis, inflation in Zone 3 remained unchanged at 1.1%, matching the rate recorded in the previous month.
