Also known as: Statistician general Alex Shimuafeni
Statistician General of the Namibia Statistics Agency, contract extended to September 2026 for leadership transition.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Shimuafeni reported largest unemployment increases in Kavango West, Omusati, and Ohangwena regions
“"The results also indicate that the largest increases in unemployment were observed in the Kavango West (33% in 2018 to 52.8% in 2023), Omusati (24% in 2018 to 41.5% in 2023), and Ohangwena (33.3% in 2018 to 47.2% in 2023) regions, while decreases were only observed in the //Kharas, Hardap, Kunene, Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions," Shimuafeni said.”
96.8% of Namibia’s potential labour force have given up on jobs, 2023 report revealsThe Namibian
NSA statistician general Alex Shimuafeni said over half of Namibian working-age population is unemployed or in potential labour force
“Over half (54.8 %) of the Namibian working-age population is either unemployed or part of the potential labour force," NSA statistician general Alex Shimuafeni said.”
96.8% of Namibia’s potential labour force have given up on jobs, 2023 report revealsThe Namibian
Shimuafeni said largest unemployment increases in Kavango West, Omusati, and Ohangwena regions
“"The results also indicate that the largest increases in unemployment were observed in the Kavango West (33% in 2018 to 52.8% in 2023), Omusati (24% in 2018 to 41.5% in 2023), and Ohangwena (33.3% in 2018 to 47.2% in 2023) regions, while decreases were only observed in the //Kharas, Hardap, Kunene, Omaheke and Otjozondjupa regions," Shimuafeni said.”
96.8% of Namibia’s potential labour force have given up on jobs, 2023 report revealsThe Namibian
Statistician general Alex Shimuafeni said in 2018 that number was 33.4% and now it is at 36.9%
“"In 2018, that number was 33.4% and now it is at 36.9%," he said.”
Namibia’s unemployment rate stands at 36.9% – NSAA Namibia Financial Inclusion Survey shows that 86% of adults now have access to financial services, up from 78% in 2017, with over 425,700 more Namibians entering the financial system. However, more than half of adults earn N$2,000 or less per month, and many use financial services mainly to survive rather than build wealth.
3 hours ago · New Era →
A Namibia Financial Inclusion Survey shows that 86% of adults now have access to financial services, up from 78% in 2017, with over 425,700 more Namibians entering the financial system. However, more than half of adults earn N$2,000 or less per month, and many use financial services mainly to survive rather than build wealth.
3 hours ago · New Era →
The Namibia Statistics Agency released a report based on the 2023 Population and Housing Census showing that marginalized communities—comprising San, Ovatue/Ovatwa, and Ovatjimba peoples (75,569 people, 2.5% of Namibia's population)—face significant challenges in education, employment, housing, and access to basic services. The data aims to support evidence-based planning and policy formulation to address inequalities.
16 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Transport costs drove Namibia's June inflation at 12.9% annually, the largest contributor to rising living costs, while overall annual inflation rose to 4.4%. Food price pressures eased, with fish and meat inflation falling sharply year-on-year.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's trade deficit narrowed to N$3.1 billion in May 2026, with exports of N$12.4 billion and imports of N$15.5 billion, an improvement from the N$4.4 billion deficit in April. Mining products, particularly uranium and diamonds, continued to dominate exports, while imports were driven by petroleum oils and nickel ores.
8 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Namibia Statistics Agency and Khomas regional leadership stressed the importance of improved coordination, funding, and data use during a National Strategy for the Development of Statistics sensitisation meeting. The NSA Statistician General noted that reliable statistics require cooperation among multiple stakeholders including ministries, agencies, local authorities, regional councils, the private sector, academia, and civil society organisations.
30 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's economy grew to N$70.9 billion in the first quarter of 2026, recording real growth of 2.0% year-on-year, slower than 2.8% in the same period last year. Growth was driven by service industries, particularly wholesale and retail trade, financial services, and health and education sectors, but held back by a 12.2% decline in mining and quarrying and a 5.9% fall in manufacturing.
27 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's gross domestic product grew 2% in real terms during the first quarter of 2026, reaching N$70.9 billion in nominal terms, driven primarily by tertiary industries which expanded 5.1%. Secondary industries contracted 3.1% and primary industries fell 5.7%, with mining and quarrying declining 12.2% due to lower mineral production.
26 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Petroleum oils, including diesel and petrol, accounted for 18.1% of Namibia's goods imports in April, the highest share of any product. The country imported goods worth N$14.2 billion but exported only N$9.8 billion, creating a N$4.4 billion trade deficit, with petroleum mainly sourced from Nigeria, Oman and Sweden.
13 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's headline inflation rate reached 4.1% in the 12 months ending May 2026, up from 3.5% a year earlier, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency. Regional analysis showed Khomas Region had the highest inflation at 5.4%, while the northern regions recorded the lowest at 3.2%.
12 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia recorded a trade deficit of N$4.4 billion in April 2026, with exports at N$9.8 billion and imports at N$14.2 billion, marking a deterioration from the N$2.1 billion deficit in April 2025. Mining commodities, including gold, uranium, diamonds and petroleum oils, drove the export basket, while South Africa remained the largest trading partner.
10 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's Producer Price Index fell 1.7% in the first quarter of 2026, driven mainly by lower prices in mining and quarrying—particularly salt, diamonds, and uranium—though the index grew 2.7% annually over the same period.
26 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's Statistics Agency and Angola's National Statistics Institute have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve cooperation in statistics, governance and public policy planning, covering areas including macroeconomic data, labour statistics, censuses, digital transformation and data science.
22 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's annual inflation rate slowed to 3.1% in April 2026, though transport and fuel costs remain under pressure. Consumers in northern regions (zone 1) paid the highest diesel price at N$24.31 per litre, while Khomas residents (zone 2) paid the lowest at N$24.12.
16 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia imported commercial vehicles worth N$979 million in March, predominantly from South Africa, India and China, while re-exporting N$48 million worth mainly to Zambia, according to NSA trade statistics. The country recorded a trade deficit of N$2.3 billion in March, an improvement from the previous month's N$5.2 billion deficit.
11 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia recorded exports of N$13.2 billion and imports of N$15.5 billion in March 2026, resulting in a trade deficit of N$2.3 billion—an improvement from the N$5.2 billion deficit in February. China was the largest export market and South Africa the main source of imports, with mining commodities (uranium, gold, nickel ores, diamonds) dominating exports alongside fish, while re-exports increased significantly.
10 May 2026 · Informanté →
Israel Tjizake has been appointed as the new deputy statistician general of the Namibia Statistics Agency from 1 May, bringing over 25 years' experience in official statistics, data management, and institutional leadership. He will oversee the agency's core statistical operations and drive initiatives including modernisation of statistical systems and evidence-based decision-making.
6 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Statistics Agency spent close to N$130 million on the data collection phase of the 2025/26 Namibia Household Income and Expenditure Survey, which covered 12 months of field operations across Namibia's 14 regions and concluded on 22 April. The survey covered a representative sample of 11,016 households and will produce key development indicators to support economic and policy analysis, with the final report expected by end of March 2027.
25 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Khomas region registered 3.2% annual inflation for March, above the national rate of 2.1%, with housing and utilities driving inflation most significantly. Food prices fell sharply compared to the prior year, while transport costs declined, according to data from the Namibia Statistics Agency.
14 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's grain production jumped 375.9% in late 2025 to 22,643 tonnes, driven primarily by a robust wheat harvest that grew 1,057.6%, while the agronomy import bill fell from N$863 million to N$488 million year-on-year.
28 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Statistics Agency conducted a baseline study of informal settlements across the country's 57 local authorities, finding more than 200,000 Namibians live in 419 informal settlements, with several hundred thousand more in townships. While micro and small enterprises in these areas contribute significantly to the informal economy, they face challenges including compliance requirements, limited workspace and restricted access to services, while gambling establishments and cash loan outlets pose growing social and financial risks.
13 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Statistics Agency board has extended statistician general Alex Shimuafeni's contract from 31 March to 30 September to ensure completion of critical projects and a smooth leadership transition. Deputy statistician general Ottilie Mwazi's contract was also extended from 1 January to 31 March following her reaching retirement age on 31 December.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia re-exported petroleum oils worth N$307 million to Zambia and Botswana in January, ranking as the third-largest re-exported commodity at 12.3% of total re-exports. The country's overall export revenue reached N$11.4 billion in January, with uranium, gold, fish, and diamonds dominating the export basket.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
A baseline report presented by the Namibia Statistics Agency found that 419 informal settlements across Namibia accommodate more than 200,000 urban residents, with significant service delivery gaps: only 24% have water infrastructure, 10% have sewer services, and 22% have electricity. The government aims to reduce informal settlements by 50% by 2029 and will use the report as a benchmark to measure progress.
4 March 2026 · New Era →
According to the Namibia Informal Settlements Baseline Report, Khomas accounts for 150 of 419 informal settlements nationwide (35.8%), with 86.4% lacking formal sewerage and 70.4% without water and electricity access. Only 16 of 419 informal settlements have achieved full service coverage and secure land tenure.
26 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's Producer Price Index dropped 3.9% in the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by sharp declines in diamond, uranium, and zinc prices within the mining sector, though the index rose 3.1% year-on-year. Manufacturing sector growth, particularly in fish and meat processing, helped offset mining weakness.
24 February 2026 · New Era →
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency's 2023 Census Regional Profile, 23% of urban residents in Khomas region do not have access to flushing toilets, with 16.9% practising open defecation. The NSA chief statistician attributed the sanitation challenges to rapid urbanisation increasing from 95.2% in 2011 to 98.3% in 2023, straining available amenities and infrastructure.
20 February 2026 · New Era →
Namibia's annual inflation rate slowed to 2.9% in January 2026 from 3.2% a year earlier, but housing, water, electricity and fuel costs—which make up 28.4% of the consumer basket—accelerated to 4.6% annual inflation, driven by rising electricity, gas and rental prices. According to the Namibia Statistics Agency, this category remains the primary inflation concern for households despite overall moderation.
17 February 2026 · New Era →
Data from the Namibia Statistics Agency shows residents in Windhoek (Khomas region) paid N$100.79 per kg for beef stew in January, about N$14 less than other regions. Overall inflation for the month was 2.9%, down from 3.2% in January last year, with housing and rental costs being the biggest driver of inflation.
15 February 2026 · The Namibian →
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency trade report, Namibia imported no second-hand clothing in December, with only N$1 million recorded in November. The report notes that EU exports of used clothes to Africa have nearly tripled over two decades, reaching 1.26 million tonnes in 2024, with 80% sold in informal African markets including Namibia's Stop & Shop.
6 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's trade deficit deteriorated to N$4.4 billion in November 2025, with exports falling 24.5% to N$10 billion and imports declining 10.4% to N$14.4 billion, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency. Mining sector commodities including gold, uranium, and diamonds drove exports, while the country remained heavily reliant on petroleum oils and motor vehicles for imports.
30 January 2026 · New Era →