Elvis Mboya
Namibia’s exports to the European Union (EU) reached N$17.57 billion in 2025, but trade remains heavily concentrated in six of the bloc’s 27 member states, raising questions about market diversification and export resilience.
According to the October 2026 report, EU-Namibia Trade: A Partnership That Works, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and Germany accounted for approximately N$16.70 billion, representing 95.1% of Namibia’s EU exports.
Spain was the largest destination, receiving goods valued at N$5.68 billion, followed by France at N$5.26 billion and the Netherlands at N$3.05 billion.
Italy accounted for N$1.47 billion, while Belgium and Germany received approximately N$618 million and N$617 million, respectively.
The remaining 21 EU member states collectively received exports worth N$868 million, or 4.9%. They are Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.
Spain, France and the Netherlands alone accounted for almost N$14 billion, representing approximately 80% of Namibia’s EU exports.
While these figures reflect established commercial relationships, they also expose Namibia to risks associated with dependence on a limited number of markets.
Changes in demand, import regulations or economic conditions in these countries could affect export earnings.
Exports extend beyond minerals
Prepared by economist Robin Sherbourne for the EU Delegation to Namibia, the report examines trade developments in 2024 and 2025, including export composition, trading partners and employment.
Sherbourne is a research associate at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).
“Namibia’s exports to the EU increased from N$14.98 billion in 2024 to N$17.57 billion in 2025. Products include fish, meat, fruit, charcoal, crustaceans, diamonds, dimension stone and base metals,” according to the report.
This demonstrates that Namibia’s European trade extends beyond minerals, with fisheries, livestock, horticulture and other resource-based industries contributing to export earnings.
However, product diversification does not necessarily translate into market diversification. Businesses may export several product categories while remaining dependent on a handful of destinations.
Expanding the customer base could reduce exposure to market-specific disruptions and create opportunities for local producers.
Exports support 40 000 jobs
The report estimates that exports to the EU support approximately 40 000 direct jobs in Namibia, particularly in fisheries, livestock, meat processing, fruit and vegetables, and charcoal production.
The relationship therefore extends beyond foreign exchange earnings to employment, household incomes and domestic supply chains.
The next phase of export growth should focus not only on increasing shipment volumes but also on retaining more value locally. Investment in processing, packaging, quality control and productive capacity could strengthen domestic industries.
This requires reliable supply chains, skills development, access to finance and compliance with destination-market standards.
Predictable market access is equally important for exporters facing changing demand, certification requirements and transport costs.
Assessing the other EU markets
The relatively low export figures across the remaining 21 countries raise an important question: are these markets being adequately explored?
Low export volumes do not automatically indicate untapped opportunities. Each market has distinct import demand, consumer preferences, competition and regulatory requirements.
Export agencies and industry associations could assess demand for Namibian products, potential buyers, distribution networks, certification requirements and logistics costs.
Smaller markets may offer specialised opportunities, while larger destinations could provide greater sales potential but involve stronger competition.
Exporters must weigh potential returns against certification, freight, storage, marketing and financing costs.
The SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement provides a framework for preferential access, subject to rules of origin and other requirements.
However, preferential access does not guarantee sales. Businesses must meet quality standards, maintain consistent supply and establish reliable buyer relationships.
The business case for diversification
Namibia’s established relationships with Spain, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and Germany remain commercially important.
The objective should be to complement these markets with additional destinations rather than replace existing trading partners.
The figures present an opportunity for government, export agencies, financial institutions and industry associations to align market intelligence with export capacity.
This includes facilitating trade finance, supporting certification, strengthening logistics, investing in local processing and connecting Namibian enterprises with international buyers.
Financial institutions could also develop financing solutions for producers, processors and small businesses
seeking to enter international markets.
Ultimately, Namibia’s EU trade performance should be measured not only by annual export values but also by the number of markets served, local enterprise participation and value retained domestically.
A broader customer base, stronger local production and increased value addition could make Namibia’s European trade more resilient and sustainable.
