The latest market, economy, central-bank, policy and company stories from Namibia, updated every 15 minutes. Last updated 19 October 2026.
| GDP growth (2025) | 1.7% | Moderate growth. |
| Inflation (2025) | 3.5% | Above the usual central-bank targets. |
| Unemployment (2025) | 19.3% | High: many people can’t find work. |
| GDP per person (2025) | $4,876 | Average output per person: a rough measure of how wealthy a country is. |
| Current account (2024) | -13.4% of GDP | Deficit: spends more abroad than it earns, so it relies on foreign money. |
| Exports (2025) | 44.7% of GDP | An open, trading economy. |
Latest official annual figures from World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). Context, not a forecast or financial advice.
As part my MBA studies, our first module was economics. And somewhere between learning about inflation, scarcity, supply and demand, unemployment, production, markets, exchange rates, externalities and public goods, I found myself asking a surprisingly uncomfortable question: Why was I never taught this?
Namibia’s only regulated friendly society’s investments have increased to N$2.9 million. The investment portfolio grew by 8.3% during the year, according to the Namibia Financial Institutions Supervisory Authority’s 2026 annual report.
Next week on 22 October, minister of finance Ericah Shafudah will table the mid-year budget for the 2026/27 financial year. In light of this, it is worth examining what the national budget actually covers.
7 October 2026 marked a significant milestone for the African continent with the launch of the African Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) in Port Louis, Mauritius.
The annual Helao Nafidi Business Expo is positioning the town as a growing trade and investment hub in northern Namibia. Its strategic location at the Oshikango border with Angola creates opportunities for cross-border commerce, entrepreneurship, and economic development.
Forex trader Joseph Nghishihange (23), who is accused of murdering his daughter Mia (5), has denied killing or abusing the child. Testifying during his bail application on Thursday, Nghishihange told the Oshakati Magistrate’s Court that he loved his daughter and had no reason to cause her death.
Finance minister Ericah Shafudah has said implementing the budget is the most “problematic” phase of the budget cycle. Speaking to civil society yesterday ahead of next week’s mid-year budget review, Shafudah said the national budget is the most important instrument for the government to improve Namibians’ lives.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has issued a strong warning that the region risks squandering a historic opportunity to industrialise its economies if it continues to export valuable minerals in their raw form while importing expensive finished products.
The Road Fund Administration (RFA) has increased its annual revenue collection from approximately N$1.76 billion in 2014 to more than N$4.7 billion, while expanding funding for road maintenance, rehabilitation and infrastructure development across Namibia.
Entrepo Namibia retrenched 25 workers earlier this year and expects more job losses as it winds down after the government suspended its payroll deduction system.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has issued a strong warning that that the region risks squandering a historic opportunity to industrialise its economies if it continues exporting valuable minerals in their raw form while importing expensive finished products.
Namibians paid more to travel, keep the lights on, and cover everyday household expenses in September as annual inflation climbed to 5.4% from 5.0% in August, driven by higher fuel prices and transport costs.
The Oshakati Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday postponed the formal bail application of murder accused Joseph Nghishihange to Thursday. His legal representative, Tunga Ndatewapo, says Nghishihange, a forex trader, had not paid his legal fees.
Foreign direct investment projects facilitated by the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), have yielded more than 6 600 jobs over the past three years and saw multi-million-dollar investments being made in 27 projects.
Victoria Immanuel ONGWEDIVA – Namibia is looking to technology to create jobs, fight poverty and open new economic opportunities for young people as the country pushes towards an inclusive digital economy.
Foot-and-mouth disease threatens livestock farmers’ livelihoods and disrupts meat supplies as authorities impose curbs.
The agriculture ministry’s Directorate of Veterinary Services has failed to spend more than N$13 million of its budget during the 2024/25 financial year. This is according to the latest audit report by auditor general Junias Kandjeke.
Taxpayers with outstanding debts have until 31 October to settle the capital amount owed to the Namibia Revenue Agency (Namra) and qualify for the cancellation of interest and penalties under its tax amnesty programme.
For generations mining has been one of the pillars of Namibia’s economy, creating jobs, supporting families and contributing to national development. Yet, for much of its history, the industry has been shaped predominantly by men.
Namibia earned N$374 million from fresh, chilled and frozen beef exports in August. Beef was Namibia’s eighth-largest exported commodity during the month, accounting for 3% of total exports, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency’s (NSA) August 2026 International Merchandise Trade Statistics.
The Namibian government plans to borrow an additional N$7.1 billion from Namibia’s domestic financial market after deciding that local investors can provide the money previously expected from foreign sources.
Namibian livestock producers face mounting pressure to secure high-quality breeding stock, as ongoing regional livestockdisease outbreaks continue to disrupt the country’s traditional supply.
TotalEnergies has pledged to channel about N$33 billion into the domestic economy through local procurement over the life of its proposed Venus oil project, while targeting thousands of jobs, specialised skills development, and a nationwide socio-economic investment programme worth at least N$827 million.
Prime Minister, Elijah Ngurare, has appointed John Titus, Director in the Department of Energy in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy, as Namibia’s first Nuclear Commissioner.
The Grootfontein municipality’s newly appointed chief executive, Johannes Iipinge, says he wants to improve the town’s financial stability, attract investment and ensure better services for residents This is according to a statement issued by the council on Monday.