CHAMWE KAIRA
Namibia recorded a N$1.2 billion trade deficit with the rest of Africa in August 2026, as imports from the continent exceeded exports by N$1.2 billion, according to trade figures for the month.
The International Merchandise Trade Statistics for August showed that the country exported goods worth N$6 billion to African markets, while imports from the continent amounted to N$7.2 billion.
Total trade with Africa reached N$13.3 billion during the month.
African markets accounted for 47.7% of Namibia’s total exports, while imports from the continent represented 43.7% of total imports, highlighting the importance of regional trade to the country’s economy.
South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe were among the main destinations for Namibian exports.
On the import side, South Africa, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Morocco were the leading sources of goods.
Trade with the Southern African region dominated Namibia’s commercial links with the continent. Southern African countries accounted for 96.9% of Namibia’s total exports to Africa in August.
Exports to member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) accounted for 46.2% of Namibia’s total export earnings from global markets during the month.
The region was also the main source of Namibia’s imports from Africa, accounting for 97.5% of the total value of goods imported from the continent.
Imports from SADC countries represented 42.6% of Namibia’s total imports from the rest of the world.
The figures underline the concentration of Namibia’s African trade within Southern Africa, particularly among countries linked through regional economic arrangements.
Frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and SADC are intended to improve market access, strengthen regional value chains and deepen economic integration across the continent.
Increased intra-African trade can also support economic diversification and industrialisation by creating opportunities for businesses to access regional markets and reducing dependence on markets outside the continent.
However, Namibia’s August trade figures show that the country continued to import more goods from Africa than it exported, resulting in the N$1.2 billion trade deficit for the month.
