IMTS Definition
International Merchandise Trade Statistics refers to the official statistics that record the movement of goods across country borders. These statistics are crucial for understanding a country’s trade performance, formulating economic policy, and conducting trade negotiations.
Brief Summary
Namibia’s export earnings for August 2025 stood at N$7.7 billion, reflecting a decrease of 39.0 percent when compared to exports recorded in July 2025. Whereas the country’s import bill for the month stood at N$12.9 billion, reflecting an increase of 2.9 percent from N$12.6 billion recorded in the preceding month. The export and import positions translated into a trade deficit of N$5.3 billion when compared to a deficit of N$13 million recorded in July 2025.
Top 5 Exports
Top 5 Imports
Total exports and imports
During the month under review, export3 revenue declined by 39.0 percent to N$7.7 billion when compared to exports recorded in July 2025. Moreover, exports decreased by 12.5 percent when compared to N$8.8 billion registered in the corresponding month of 2024. The August 2025 data show the import4 value amounting to N$12.9 billion, reflecting an increase in both month-onmonth and year-on-year respective comparisons of 2.9 percent and 6.0 percent. Chart 3 shows the export and import trend from August 2024 to August 2025.
Trade Balance
In August 2025, the country’s trade balance recorded a record-breaking deficit since January 2025 amounting to N$5.3 billion. This is a worse off-trade balance when compared to a deficit of N$13 million recorded in the previous month. Between August 2024 and August 2025, the country experienced persistent trade deficits (Chart 4), with a consecutive trade surplus occurring in May and June 2025. Over this period, the trade balance averaged a deficit of N$2.7 billion, indicating the country’s continued reliance on foreign goods to meet domestic demand.
Trade in AfCFTA
Considering the above and focusing on Namibia’s intra-trade within the AfCFTA context, in August 2025, the country exported goods worth N$4.4 billion to the African continent. On the other hand, the country imported goods worth N$6.3 billion from the continent, yielding a trade deficit of N$1.9 billion. A comparison of Namibia’s trade with Africa and the rest of the world reveals that intra-Africa exports account for 42.8 percent of total exports, while imports from Africa represent 51.3 percent of total imports.
Commodity of the Month
In August 2025, the country imported LPG valued at N$42.5 million mostly sourced from South Africa and Congo Brazzaville. On the other hand, the country did not export this commodity during the reference period.