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
In March 2025, Namibia’s exports stood at N$10.1 billion and imports at N$12.8 billion, resulting in the country’s trade deficit amounting to N$2.7 billion. During March 2025, exports decreased by 0.4 percent and increased by 22.6 percent when compared to February 2025 and March 2024, respectively. The import value increased by 5.2 percent when compared to the value recorded in February 2025 and decreased by N$2 million when compared to the value recorded in March 2024
Top 5 Exports
Top 5 Imports
Total exports and imports
During the month under review, export revenue declined by 0.4 percent to N$10.1 billion when compared to exports recorded in February 2025. Moreover, exports improved by 22.6 percent when compared to N$8.2 billion registered in the corresponding month of 2024. March 2025 data show that imports3 stood at N$12.8 billion, reflecting an increase of 5.2 percent month-on-month, and a mere decrease of N$2 million year-on-year. Chart 3 shows the trend of exports and imports from March 2024 to March 2025.
Trade Balance
In March 2025, the country’s trade deficit amounted to N$2.7 billion, reflecting a worsened trade balance when compared to the N$2.0 billion recorded in the preceding month. Between March 2024 and March 2025, the country recorded persistent trade deficits ( Chart 4) averaging N$3.4 billion.
Trade in AfCFTA
On the African continent, Namibia’s exports were mostly absorbed by countries such as Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, the DRC and Nigeria, while imports were mostly derived from the same countries except Botswana and Nigeria, which were replaced by Eswatini and Togo.
Commodity of the Month
March 2025 saw the country importing cigarettes valued at N$42.1 million, mainly from South Africa and Switzerland. The country’s export of cigarettes was solely attributed by re-exports valued at N$0.1 million mainly destined to Norway and Luxembourg during the period under study. Over the entire period (Mar 2024 to Mar 2025), the value of cigarettes imported averaged N$38.3 million with the largest value of N$67.9 million recorded in December 2024 and the lowest value of N$14.6 million recorded in February 2025.