When the Bank of Namibia opened its doors in July 1990, the newly independent nation faced a challenge that extended far beyond monetary policy: there were virtually no comprehensive economic statistics to guide decision-making.
The country lacked monetary and financial statistics, balance of payments data, and any meaningful time series to support economic research. Namibia’s external sector statistics were consolidated within those of South Africa, leaving policymakers flying blind.
Last week, at the Bank of Namibia-Namibia Statistics Agency Statistical Awareness Day in Windhoek, Governor Ebson Uanguta revealed just how far the country has come. In December 2022, Namibia officially subscribed to the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS) – placing the country among only approximately seven African nations to achieve this milestone.
“This achievement enhances the availability of timely statistics, strengthens transparency and supports access to international capital markets,” Uanguta told delegates at Droombos.
The statistical journey from independence to continental leadership represents one of Namibia’s most underappreciated economic success stories. In the early years, the Bank launched extensive exploratory surveys covering more than 12,000 businesses and organisations to build foundational data. Significant investments were made in computer systems, staff training, and statistical methodologies.
Statistician-General Alex Shimufeni, delivering the keynote address, highlighted the scale of Namibia’s modern statistical ecosystem. The 2023 Population and Housing Census – the country’s first fully digital census – revealed that Namibia’s population now stands at 3,022,401 people. Crucially, approximately 56.1 percent of the population is of working age, with nearly half living in urban areas.
These aren’t merely academic exercises. “Statistics are far more than just numbers on a page,” Uanguta emphasised. “They tell the story of our nation. They reveal where we have made progress, where challenges remain, and how the economy has evolved.”
For businesses and investors, this statistical maturity translates directly into reduced uncertainty and improved decision-making. Companies use demographic data to identify markets, trade statistics to assess opportunities, and price statistics to manage costs. Financial institutions rely on credible indicators to manage risks and support lending decisions.
The numbers tell a complex story. According to the latest national accounts, Namibia’s real GDP growth slowed to 1.7 percent in 2025, down from 3.8 percent in 2024. Headline inflation moderated to around 3.5 percent for the year but has since picked up to 4.4 percent as of June 2026, driven primarily by transport costs.
However, the most sobering statistic – unemployment at 36.9 percent – underscores the urgent need for data-driven policy interventions. “Without quality statistics, it would be impossible to accurately identify such challenges or evaluate the effectiveness of policies designed to address them,” Shimufeni noted.
The digital transformation of Namibia’s statistical system promises to revolutionise how data is collected, processed, and shared. Advances in technology present significant opportunities to improve quality, timeliness, and accessibility. But both leaders stressed that investment must keep pace.
“Every Namibian dollar invested in stronger administrative data today will yield substantial savings in future surveys and in the long run, the national census,” Uanguta argued. He called for reducing dependence on “expensive traditional surveys and censuses” by enhancing administrative records across government institutions.
The ongoing electronic ID initiative presents a particular opportunity to establish a robust statistical system enabling secure data matching across administrative databases while maintaining strong privacy and data protection safeguards.
Shimufeni framed statistics as a public good belonging to all Namibians. “A statistically informed Namibia is better equipped to hold institutions accountable, participate in democratic processes, make informed choices, and contribute to national development.”
The National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) provides the framework for strengthening coordination among the many institutions that produce, manage, and use official statistics. While the Namibia Statistics Agency serves as central coordinator, the Bank of Namibia plays a vital role in producing monetary, financial, and external sector statistics essential for macroeconomic management.
“The strength of the National Statistical System lies in collaboration,” Shimufeni emphasised. “No single institution can produce all the statistics required for national development.”
As Namibia looks ahead, both leaders stressed that continued success depends on sustained investment, stronger partnerships, modern technology, and a shared commitment to evidence-based decision-making. The statistical revolution from independence-era vacuum to continental leadership is a foundation upon which Namibia’s future prosperity will be built.
“Together, we can build a Namibia where important decisions are informed by reliable evidence, where development is measured accurately, where public resources are allocated effectively, and where no one is left behind because of a lack of information,” Shimufeni concluded.
For a nation that began its independent journey without a single reliable economic time series, that vision is now within reach.