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 revenue for October 2025 stood at N$13.2 billion, reflecting a notable increase of 78.7 percent when compared to the export value recorded in September 2025. Whereas the country’s expenditure on imports stood at N$16.1 billion, reflecting an increase of 48.5 percent from N$10.8 billion recorded in the preceding month. The export and import positions translated into a trade deficit of N$2.9 billion, due to imports that outpaced exports.
Top 5 Exports
Top 5 Imports
Total exports and imports
During the period under review, the country exported goods to 106 markets, which is four (4) more when compared to the markets recorded in September 2025. Whereas the demand side noted the country importing goods from 160 markets across the world, up by fourteen (14) markets from what was recorded in September 2025 (Chart 5). These developments are well aligned with the country’s export and import market diversification agenda.
Trade Balance
In October 2025, the country’s trade balance, although a trade deficit, improved to N$2.9 billion, from a deficit of N$3.4 billion in the previous month and N$7.2 billion in the same month of the preceding year. Between October 2024 and October 2025, the country mainly experienced persistent trade deficits (Chart 4), with a consecutive trade surplus occurring in May, June, and July 2025. Over this period, the trade balance averaged a deficit of N$2.5 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 October 2025, the country exported goods worth N$5.6 billion to the African continent. On the other hand, the country imported goods worth N$7.6 billion from the continent, yielding a trade deficit of N$2.0 billion and total trade of N$13.2 billion. A comparison of Namibia’s trade with Africa and the rest of the world reveals that intra-Africa exports account for 42.4 percent of total exports, while imports from Africa represent 47.2 percent of total imports. This implies that 57.6 percent of Namibia’s export deals were concluded with countries outside the AfCFTA. Similarly, 52.8 percent of import contracts were concluded with countries outside the AfCFTA.
Commodity of the Month
In October 2025, the country imported pesticides valued at N$48 million, mostly sourced from South Africa and Spain. On the other hand, the country exported pesticides worth N$57 393 to Angola and Panama.