Friday, 23 October 2026

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Friday, 23 October 2026

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Namibian press · Organization

Namibia Statistics Agency

Also known as: NSA · Namibian Statistics Agency

Government agency that collects and publishes official demographic and economic statistics, including census data and quarterly economic reports.

2020-04-232026-10-23

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Namibia Statistics Agency

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

September 2026
29 SeptThe Namibian
Namibia Statistics Agency board decided to reappoint Alex Shimuafeni for another five-year term
Source
“The Namibia Statistics Agency board has decided to reappoint Alex Shimuafeni for another five-year term.”
Shimuafeni to remain statistics agency boss for 15 years
29 SeptWindhoek Observer
Namibia Statistics Agency recorded school enrolment of 78.4% in urban areas and 74.6% in rural areas
Source
“The Namibia Statistics Agency's (NSA) 2023 Population and Housing Census recorded school enrolment of 78.4% in urban areas, compared with 74.6% in rural areas among the school-going population aged six to 24.”
‘Birthplace must not determine child’s future’ – NNN
28 SeptThe Namibian
Namibia Statistics Agency reported household spending rose to N$53.3 billion in Q2 2026
Source
“Household spending rose to N$53.3 billion between April and June, up from N$48 billion in the same period last year, according to the latest figures from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).”
Namibians spend N$53.3bn on shopping in 3 months
28 SeptThe Namibian
Namibia Statistics Agency recorded economic growth of 4.8% year-on-year in Q2 2026
Source
“Economic activities accelerated in the second quarter of 2026, recording a growth of 4.8% year-on-year in real GDP, when compared to 1.7% registered in the same period of 2025.”
Namibians spend N$53.3bn on shopping in 3 months
25 SeptWindhoek Observer
Namibia Statistics Agency reported country's economy grew 4.8% year-on-year in Q2 2026
Source
“The country's economy grew by 4.8% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, accelerating from the 1.7% growth recorded during the same quarter last year, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).”
Economy accelerates to 4.8% growth in Q2
25 SeptWindhoek Observer
Namibia Statistics Agency attributed primary industries improvement mainly to agriculture and fishing
Source
“The NSA attributed the improvement mainly to agriculture and forestry, as well as fishing and fish processing on board.”
Economy accelerates to 4.8% growth in Q2
25 SeptWindhoek Observer
Namibia Statistics Agency reported agronomy import bill rose to N$674.8m in Q2 2026
Source
“The country's import bill for controlled agronomy products rose to N$674.8 million in the second quarter of 2026, up from N$422.1 million recorded during the corresponding quarter of 2025, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), Statistician-General and chief executive, Alex Shimuafeni.”
Agronomy imports rise to N$674.8m as fish exports reach N$4.6bn
21 SeptThe Namibian
Namibia Statistics Agency recorded Namibia's population at three million during 2023 census
Source
“According to the Namibia Statistics Agency, Namibia's population was recorded at three million during the 2023 Population and Housing Census.”
Politicians warn population cannot be managed amid calls for baby grant
20 SeptThe Namibian
Namibia Statistics Agency released latest figures showing highest price rise since February 2024
Source
“The latest figures, released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), show that Namibia is currently facing the highest rise in prices since February 2024.”
Price increases hit two-year peak
12 SeptWindhoek Observer
Namibia Statistics Agency reported 320,442 Namibians unemployed in 2023, unemployment rate 36.9%
Source
“320,442 Namibians were unemployed in 2023, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency's 2023 Population and Housing Census Labour Force Report.”
OBSERVER FEATURE | Is unemployment really a choice? Namibia’s uncomfortable workplace question

Opinion

Namibia Should Appoint Presidential Adviser on Spatial Planning

The News

The author argues that Namibia's National Development Plan 6 and Vision 2030 will succeed only if government understands where to prioritize investment for maximum impact, and proposes that the country appoint a presidential special adviser on spatial planning to ensure development priorities—including economic growth, education, agriculture, and environmental sustainability—are geographically targeted.

21 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 21 October

Namibia Should Appoint Presidential Adviser on Spatial Planning
The author argues that Namibia's National Development Plan 6 and Vision 2030 will succeed only if government understands where to prioritize investment for maximum impact, and proposes that the country appoint a presidential special adviser on spatial planning to ensure development priorities—including economic growth, education, agriculture, and environmental sustainability—are geographically targeted.
21 October 2026 · The Namibian →
87% of Namibian men aged 18–39 have never married
The 2023 Population and Housing Census found that 87.2% of men aged 18–39 in Namibia had never been married. Experts attribute the shift to changing gender roles, women's financial independence, and reduced parental involvement in marriage decisions.
21 October 2026 · The Namibian →
FMD outbreak threatens livestock exports and rural livelihoods
Namibia's foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, detected in the //Kharas region, threatens to disrupt the livestock sector's economic recovery and cause prolonged financial damage to farmers and businesses. The Economic Association of Namibia is calling for government intervention, including trade negotiations with international partners and financial relief for affected producers.
21 October 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 18 October

Universities should teach basic economics to all students
An MBA student argues that economic literacy—including concepts like inflation, supply and demand, and interest rates—should be part of basic university education for all graduates, not confined to business programmes, because these principles directly affect daily life and professional decisions.
18 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 16 October

ICT industry urged to hire and mentor Namibian youth
The deputy director of training and employment has called on the ICT industry to strengthen partnerships with educational institutions and government to help young Namibians acquire industry-relevant skills and access employment and internship opportunities in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 13 October

Namibia earned N$374 million from beef exports in August
Namibia earned N$374 million from fresh, chilled and frozen beef exports in August, making beef the eighth-largest exported commodity and accounting for 3% of total exports. The broader meat and edible meat offal category generated N$434 million, with domestic beef inflation falling to 2.6% in September from 14.1% a year earlier.
13 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 12 October

Low wages leave Namibian workers unable to meet basic needs
A Windhoek cashier earning N$1,900–N$2,500 monthly says low wages trap workers in poverty despite employment. With inflation at 4.4%, rising transport and fuel costs, and unemployment at 36.9%, Namibia's working poor struggle to afford food, rent, and schooling.
12 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 10 October

600 children wait for 64 places at Eluwa Special School
Eluwa Resource School has 600 children on its waiting list but only 64 places for the 2027 academic year, meaning a six-year-old joining the list today could wait a decade before admission. The school's principal warns that prolonged delays deprive children of critical developmental years and leave many isolated at home.
10 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →

Friday 9 October

Namibia's trade deficit narrows to N$3.9 billion in August
Namibia recorded a trade deficit of N$3.9 billion in August, with exports at N$12.7 billion and imports at N$16.6 billion, an improvement from the N$5.9 billion deficit in July. Mining products, particularly uranium, dominated exports, while France emerged as the largest export destination and South Africa the leading source of imports.
9 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 7 October

Namibia's 2026 GDP growth revised down to 2.1%
Namibia's economic growth outlook for 2026 has been revised down to 2.1% as rising inflation and higher interest rates pressured the economy, according to the Namibia Quarterly Economic Review compiled by the Institute for Public Policy Research. The downward revision follows weaker-than-expected growth of 1.7% in 2025, attributed to declining diamond and gold output.
7 October 2026 · Informanté →

Tuesday 6 October

Kavango West records highest fertility rate at 5.45 children per woman
According to Namibia Statistics Agency's 2023 Population and Housing Census, Kavango West, Ohangwena and Omaheke recorded the highest fertility rates, with women averaging more than five children each, while Namibia's overall total fertility rate stood at 3.897 children per woman, with marked differences between rural areas at 5.027 and urban areas at 3.166.
6 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Windhoek Showgrounds prices surge, vendors cite rising costs
Visitors to this year's Windhoek Showgrounds report food prices have risen sharply—hotdogs now around N$50 (previously N$15–N$25), hamburgers N$60, schnitzels N$70—while vendors say they are forced to raise prices due to increased supply costs to sustain their businesses.
6 October 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 4 October

Marriage officers delay records, leaving spouses listed as single
More than 40 married people discovered in the last three months that their home affairs records still listed them as single after their spouses' deaths. Home affairs minister Lucia Iipumbu attributed the problem to marriage officers failing to submit marriage registers to home affairs promptly—sometimes taking years—and urged married couples to verify their records after ceremonies.
4 October 2026 · The Namibian →
2023 census reveals sharp quality-of-life disparities across Namibia
Secondary census data from the Namibia Statistics Agency show vast regional and rural-urban differences in fertility, infant mortality, and life expectancy. Women in Kavango West expect 5.5 children over their lifetimes compared to 2.7 in Khomas; under-five mortality ranges from 26.8 per 1,000 live births in Khomas to 61.4 in Omaheke; and life expectancy at birth varies by 12 years between Khomas (72.4 years) and Omaheke (60.3 years).
4 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Churches call for paternal responsibility as unmarried motherhood rises
Churches have called for greater responsibility from fathers and stronger support for unmarried mothers after the Namibia Statistics Agency found that 53.4% of never-married women in Namibia had already given birth, according to the 2023 Population and Housing Census Fertility Report.
4 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 1 October

Namibian men's life expectancy nine years less than women's
The 2023 Population and Housing Census Mortality Report shows Namibian men have a life expectancy of 64 years at birth, compared to 72.7 years for women. The gap persists across all age groups except those 80 and above, with males accounting for 54.8% of the 20,822 household deaths reported in the 12 months before the census.
1 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Medical aid membership grows less than 1% amid unemployment
Namibia's seven registered medical aid funds had 226,777 beneficiaries at the end of June 2026, growing by 0.8% from the previous quarter and 2.1% year-on-year, with the slow expansion attributed to a labour market where 6.9% were unemployed in 2023 and 44% of youth were out of work. Much of the country's private healthcare cover is linked to employment, creating a relatively small pool of people with access to formal medical aid.
1 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 30 September

Shimuafeni reappointed as NSA director for third term
The Namibia Statistics Agency board has reappointed Alex Shimuafeni for another five-year term, his third reappointment overall. The board cited his successful execution of the 2023 national census as justification for the reappointment.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's population projected to grow to 5.2 million by 2053
The Namibia Statistics Agency projects the population will rise from about 3 million in 2023 to 5.2 million by 2053, adding approximately 2.29 million people over 30 years despite declining fertility rates. The annual population growth rate is expected to slow from 2.3% in 2023 to 1.6% by 2053.
30 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Standard Bank raises Namibia 2026 growth forecast to 2.2–2.9%
Standard Bank has raised its forecast for Namibia's real economic growth in 2026 to between 2.2% and 2.9%, from an initial forecast of 1.2%, after the Namibia Statistics Agency reported economic activity accelerated to 4.8% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026.
30 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 29 September

Statistics Agency reappoints Shimuafeni for third term
The Namibia Statistics Agency board has reappointed Alex Shimuafeni for a third five-year term, extending his tenure. The board cited his successful execution of the 2023 national census as justification for the reappointment.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia Statistics Agency reappoints Shimuafeni for third term
The Namibia Statistics Agency board has reappointed Alex Shimuafeni for another five-year term, his third appointment overall. The board cited his successful execution of the 2023 national census as grounds for confidence in his continued leadership.
29 September 2026 · The Namibian →
President calls for equal education and opportunities for all children
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for children's equal access to education, healthcare and opportunities regardless of where they are born or raised. Census data, however, shows school enrolment varies significantly by region, from 54.3% in Kunene to 82.8% in Kavango East.
29 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
MIRT's 9,343 jobs claim disputed by opposition shadow minister
The ministry of international relations and trade claims investment projects linked to its initiatives created 9,343 permanent jobs across 28 projects attracting N$66.85 billion, but opposition shadow minister Rodney Cloete argues only 951 permanent jobs were actually recorded.
29 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Monday 28 September

Trade ministry's 9 343 jobs claim faces parliamentary scrutiny
The Ministry of International Relations and Trade reported facilitating 28 portfolio projects that attracted N$66.85 billion in investment and created 9 343 permanent jobs, but the figures faced parliamentary opposition questioning over data accuracy and timeline verifiability. Minister Selma Ashipala-Musavyi said the ministry's role is to facilitate job creation through trade and investment, with projects spanning agriculture, mining, renewable energy, tourism, real estate, chemicals and digital services.
28 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Household spending surges 11% to N$53.3 billion in Q2 2026
Namibians spent N$53.3 billion on shopping between April and June 2026, up from N$48 billion in the same period last year. In real terms, household consumption increased to N$39.16 billion, with supermarket sales volumes rising 13.8%, driving a 9% growth in the wholesale and retail trade sector.
28 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 27 September

FMD outbreak halts livestock auctions nationwide
Foot-and-mouth disease confirmed at a commercial farm in Karasburg has prompted the government to suspend movement, trade, slaughter, imports and exports of cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, forcing auctioneers to cancel sales across the country.
27 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 25 September

Namibian economy grows 4.8% year-on-year in second quarter 2026
Namibia's economy accelerated to 4.8% year-on-year growth in Q2 2026, up from 1.7% in Q2 2025, with nominal gross domestic product estimated at N$70.6 billion. Tertiary industries led growth at 6.1%, driven by health services (17.6%), wholesale and retail trade (9.0%), and information and communication (8.2%), while primary industries returned to growth at 3.0% following a contraction a year earlier.
25 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's agronomy imports rise, fish exports reach N$4.6bn
Controlled agronomy product imports rose to N$674.8 million in Q2 2026 from N$422.1 million a year earlier, while production increased to 52,515 tonnes. Fish product exports reached N$4.6 billion despite landings of quota species declining 1.1% to 101,546 metric tonnes.
25 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 23 September

Minister warns statutory paternity leave could limit workplace productivity
Justice and labour relations minister Fillemon Wise Immanuel told the Windhoek Observer that introducing statutory paternity leave in Namibia could see some fathers spending an entire year away from work if they have children with multiple partners, potentially affecting labour force productivity. Namibia currently has no law providing statutory paternity leave, though employers may offer it through workplace policies.
23 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →