Namibia flag

Namibia

Republic of Namibia
English Currency NAD • ZAR accepted Roman Dutch and Customary law SADC • SACU • AfCFTA

Resource rich and logistics oriented economy on the Atlantic coast with strong mining, fisheries, and tourism. Walvis Bay and the Trans Kalahari and Trans Cunene corridors connect the region to global trade. Policy efforts focus on green hydrogen, renewable energy, and local value addition while maintaining macro stability through the Common Monetary Area link with South Africa.

Overview

Mining and fisheries are mainstays with growing investment in renewables and green hydrogen. The Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board coordinates investor facilitation while BIPA handles business registration and NamRA manages tax. Infrastructure programs target port capacity, clean power, and water security to support industry and households.

Snapshot

Population
~2.7 M 2024
World Bank and NSA
GDP current USD
$14–15 B 2024
World Bank series
GDP per Capita
$5.2–5.6 K 2024
World Bank series
Inflation y over y
~4–6% recent
NSA CPI
Policy Rate
around 7% 2025
Bank of Namibia MPC
Internet Use
~55–60% 2023
World Bank ITU series
Electrification
~60–70% latest
World Bank access
Market Note
NSX linked to JSE
Exchange

Focus Sectors

Diamonds and Uranium Critical Minerals including Lithium Fisheries and Seafood Renewables and Green Hydrogen Logistics and Walvis Bay Corridors Tourism and Conservation Construction and Materials Meat and Agro processing Financial Services Digital and Data Infrastructure

Trade

Top Export Partners recent

  • Chinamajor share
  • South Africasignificant
  • Botswanadiamonds
  • Belgiumdiamonds
  • Spainfish
WITS and OEC profiles

Top Export Goods

Diamonds Uranium oxides Copper cathodes Fish and seafood Zinc and lead

Top Import Partners recent

  • South Africadominant
  • Chinasignificant
  • Indianotable
  • United Arab Emiratesfuels
  • European Unionmachinery
WITS and OEC profiles

Top Import Goods

  • Refined petroleumenergy
  • Vehicles and partsautos
  • Machinery and electricalscapex
  • Wheat and cerealsfood
  • Chemicals and plasticsindustry

Finance and Capital Markets

Currency and Policy

  • CurrencyNamibian Dollar NAD, pegged to ZAR
  • Policy ratearound 7 percent
  • FX regimeCommon Monetary Area link to ZAR
Bank of Namibia and CMA framework

Markets

  • ExchangeNamibian Stock Exchange with JSE dual listings
  • FinancingGrowing green energy and hydrogen pipeline
NSX and policy releases

Regulations and Taxes

Start a Business

  1. Name search and registration — BIPA
  2. Tax registration and e filing — NamRA
  3. Open bank account and payroll setup
  4. Sector permits as required, investor help via NIPDB
  5. Social security affiliation — SSC
BIPA and NamRA and NIPDB

Key Taxes

  • Corporate Income Tax32% standard, special rates for mining subsectors
  • VAT standard15%
  • WHT dividendscommonly 10% for non residents, treaty dependent
  • WHT interest and royaltieswithholding applies, typical 10% ranges
PwC WWTS and NamRA

Talent

Median Age
~22 yrs
UN and NSA
Adult Literacy
~90%+
World Bank and UNESCO
Tertiary Enrolment
teens share gross
World Bank UIS
Languages
English official, widely spoken Afrikaans, Oshiwambo, Otjiherero, Khoekhoegowab
Gov and language references

Policy

  • AfCFTARatified, tariff offers phased
  • EnergyIPP framework and green hydrogen strategy in development
  • LogisticsWalvis Bay and corridors expansion for regional trade
  • WaterDesalination and bulk supply projects to support industry
Official strategies and releases

Risks

  • Commodity cyclesMining output and prices drive growth and fiscal space
  • Drought and waterClimate variability affects agriculture and supply
  • Small market sizeScale for manufacturing is limited domestically
Macro and sector reports

Resources

BIPA registry NamRA tax portal NIPDB invest Namibia Bank of Namibia Namibia Statistics Agency Namport Walvis Bay Namibian Stock Exchange WITS trade snapshot OEC country profile

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Data notes
Ranges are shown where monthly updates vary. For a production pass, replace ranges with the latest Namibia Statistics Agency, Bank of Namibia, World Bank, WITS, and OEC figures to timestamp the page.