Namibia’s imports from South Africa surpass N$57 billion in 2025
Namibia and South Africa reported a total trade volume of N$86 billion in 2025, with Namibia facing a significant trade deficit. Officials are pushing for a new Business Council to address structural economic imbalances and improve industrial partnerships.
Why it matters
Addressing trade deficits and fostering industrial cooperation is essential for the economic stability and growth of Southern African nations.
TOTAL trade between Namibia and South Africa reached about N$86 billion in 2025, with Namibia exporting N$29.21 billion to South Africa against imports of N$57.84 billion.
The figures were highlighted by the Minister of International Relations and Trade, Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, during the Ministerial Session of the fourth session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC), held in Pretoria, South Africa.
The minister highlighted that there is a persistent trade deficit between Namibia and South Africa, driven by the structural gap between the two countries’ industrial bases. She revealed that Namibia’s leading exports to South Africa last year included precious and semi-precious stones and metals, ores and slag, fish and other aquatic products, and live animals, while Namibia’s imports from South Africa were dominated by vehicles, machinery, electrical equipment and pharmaceuticals.
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