Namibia’s reliance on road transportation for imports hit a staggering N$8.0 billion in March 2025, accounting for 62.6% of all goods entering the country, according to the latest Namibia International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin. The figure underscores the nation’s deepening trade ties with regional neighbors, particularly South Africa, while highlighting vulnerabilities in a trade landscape marked by a widening deficit. The data, released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), reveals a N$2.7 billion trade shortfall for the month, driven by soaring imports of petroleum oils, motor vehicles, and industrial inputs, even as exports of diamonds, fish, and gold showed resilience.
The N$8.0 billion in road-based imports — primarily comprising motor vehicles for commercial use, nickel ores, and inorganic chemicals — reflects Namibia’s dependence on overland trade routes with Southern African Customs Union (SACU) partners, notably South Africa, which supplied 39.4% of all imports. This reliance on road networks comes amid broader challenges: total imports climbed 5.2% month-on-month to N$12.8 billion, outpacing a 0.4% dip in exports to N$10.1 billion. While the deficit narrowed compared to March 2024’s N$4.6 billion shortfall, it signals persistent structural gaps in the economy, where mineral exports dominate but fail to offset the cost of imported essentials.
Exports were buoyed by traditional stalwarts, with precious stones (diamonds) leading at 20.1% of total exports (N$2.03 billion), followed by fish (13.6%, N$1.38 billion) and non-monetary gold (12.4%, N$1.37 billion). Uranium and copper articles rounded out the top five, collectively contributing 62.6% of export earnings. Notably, shipments to Botswana, Namibia’s largest export destination, surged to N$1.9 billion, driven by diamonds and gold, while South Africa absorbed 18.9% of exports, including non-monetary gold. Year-on-year, exports grew 22.6%, a bright spot amid global commodity price fluctuations.
On the import front, petroleum oils dominated at 20% (N$2.55 billion), sourced largely from India, Oman, and Italy. Motor vehicles for commercial purposes (N$543 million) and inorganic chemical elements (N$468 million) followed, underscoring reliance on foreign machinery and industrial materials. The N$8.0 billion road import bill — facilitated by key border posts like Ariansvlei (N$3.4 billion) and Trans Kalahari (N$1.9 billion) — underscores logistical efficiencies but also vulnerabilities, such as congestion and cross-border delays. Sea transport accounted for 34.1% of imports (N$4.2 billion via Walvis Bay Harbour), while airfreight made up a marginal 3.1%.
The trade deficit’s expansion to N$2.7 billion, from N$2.0 billion in February 2025, reflects a dual challenge: sluggish export growth in key sectors and rising demand for foreign goods. Mining and manufacturing sectors showed mixed results. While manufacturing exports dipped by N$699 million month-on-month to N$5.6 billion, mining exports rose N$606 million to N$4.1 billion, driven by uranium and diamond production. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing contributed a modest 2.7% to exports, highlighting untapped potential in non-mineral sectors.
Regional trade dynamics further shaped outcomes. SACU nations absorbed 38.5% of Namibia’s exports, with the OECD (24.8%) and EU (19.2%) as critical secondary markets. Conversely, SACU supplied 40.2% of imports, followed by the OECD (22.5%) and BRIC bloc (18.6%). The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) saw Namibia post a N$274 million intra-Africa deficit, exporting N$6.0 billion (59.5% of total exports) while importing N$6.3 billion (49.1% of total imports). Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia remained pivotal partners, though deficits with the DRC and Eswatini pointed to lingering imbalances.
Food trade offered a silver lining: Namibia recorded a N$361 million surplus in March 2025, fueled by fish exports (N$1.4 billion, 84.4% of food exports). However, beverage imports outstripped exports by N$183 million, reflecting demand for foreign spirits and processed drinks. The “commodity of the month,” cigarettes, highlighted niche trade flows, with N$42.1 million imported (mainly from South Africa and Switzerland) and a mere N$0.1 million re-exported to Norway and Luxembourg.
Transport infrastructure emerged as a double-edged sword. While Walvis Bay Harbour handled N$3.9 billion in exports (43.4% via sea), road networks faced strain, moving 192,335 tons of imports (down 4.4% month-on-month). Air transport, though minimal, saw a 50-ton increase in inbound goods, including high-value items like telecommunications equipment.
Looking ahead, Namibia’s trade trajectory hinges on diversifying exports beyond minerals and strengthening regional value chains. The NSA emphasized the need to capitalize on AfCFTA opportunities, reduce dependency on volatile commodity markets, and invest in domestic production to curb imports. As road networks remain the lifeline for regional trade, policymakers face pressure to enhance logistics efficiency and address bottlenecks.
For now, the N$8.0 billion road import figure stands as a testament to Namibia’s interconnectedness with its neighbors — and a reminder of the work needed to steer trade toward sustainable balance. With global demand for critical minerals rising and regional partnerships deepening, the nation’s ability to leverage its resources while building industrial capacity will shape its economic future.