SACU remains Namibia’s largest market

The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) remains the largest market for Namibia’s imports and exports. This, according to data obtained from the Namibia Statistics Agency covering September to December 2023.In September, the SACU maintained its position as the largest source of imports for Namibia, contributing 40.9%. The customs union supplied Namibia mainly with tractors, motor vehicles for the transport of goods, and plastics.During the same period, the SACU was also the dominant export destination for Namibia’s goods, accounting for 39.8% of total exports. In addition, the SACU and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) took fourth and fifth positions, accounting for 15.1% and 12.8% of total exports, respectively.In terms of volume, 202 259 tonnes left the country in September, representing a notable decrease of 70.1% compared to August 2023 and 33.3% compared to September 2022.Exports to the SACU consisted mainly of diamonds, non-monetary gold and petroleum oils. Moreover, exports to the Southern African Development Community (SADC), excluding the SACU, made up 10% of exports.Imports by road were valued at N$7 billion, representing 61.7% of all goods imported into the country. Alcoholic beverages, motor cars and motor vehicles for the transport of goods were the highest-value commodities.Namibia’s main import and export ports are: Walvis Bay; the Wenela Border Post with Zambia; the Trans Kalahari Border Post with Botswana; Noordoewer Border Post with South Africa; Ariamsvlei Border Post with South Africa; Ngoma Border Post with Botswana; the Lüderitz Harbour; and the Oshikango Border Post with Angola.In terms of cross-border cargo tonnage handled by the Namibia Ports Authority during the nine-month financial period (April to December 2023), the breakdown was as follows: South Africa – 619 640 tonnes Zambia – 440 754 tonnes Zimbabwe – 50 906 tonnes Angola – 11 550 tonnes Botswana – 216 927 tonnes DRC – 142 460 tonnes Malawi – 10 135 tonnesThe total cross-border tonnage handled during this period amounted to 1 492 589 tonnes.Furthermore, total exports for this period reached 1 046 750 tonnes, while total imports amounted to 455 839 tonnes. Primary contributors to the cross-border volumes were copper originating from the DRC, Zambia and Botswana, as well as manganese, which is handled from South Africa via the Port of Lüderitz.