Also known as: SACU
Regional customs union whose receipts support Namibia's international reserves and revenue collections, expanding trade frameworks with India and mutual recognition pilot for economic operators.
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Windhoek Observer
Southern African Customs Union provided main support for increase in international reserves in July
“The country's stock of international reserves increased by 2.9% month-on-month to N$58 billion at the end of July, supported mainly by Southern African Customs Union (SACU) receipts and strong foreign-currency placements by commercial banks, according to the Bank of Namibia's Money and Banking Statistics for July.”
Reserves rise to N$58bn as private-sector credit growth slowsInformanté
Southern African Customs Union (SACU) signed Terms of Reference for negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement with India
“NAMIBIA and other Southern African Customs Union (SACU) member states have taken a major step towards improved market access and trade with India following the signing of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).”
India, SACU sign terms for preferential trade agreement talksThe Namibian
Southern African Customs Union poses a risk through volatility in revenue
“The report identifies several risks to the outlook, including further escalation of the war in the Middle East, volatility in Southern African Customs Union revenue, delays to fiscal reforms, tighter domestic financing conditions, and possible outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.”
Namibia economic growth too slow for jobs, IMF warnsInformanté
Southern African Customs Union (SACU) is expanding Regional AEO Mutual Recognition Arrangement pilot to Namibia, Botswana and South Africa
“THE Southern African Customs Union (SACU) is expanding its Regional Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) pilot to Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, with officials assessing border processes ahead of the second phase's formal launch later this month.”
SACU expands AEO pilot to Namibia, Botswana and South AfricaThe Namibian
Southern African Customs Union contributed N$4.51 billion to revenue collections, 26.4% of total
“Revenue received through the Southern African Customs Union amounted to N$4.51 billion, contributing 26.4% of total collections, while personal income tax generated N$4.39 billion, accounting for 25.7%.”
Namra collects N$17.1bn in first quarterWindhoek Observer
Southern African Customs Union (SACU) receipts made largest contribution at N$5.772 billion (33.8% of total collections)
“A breakdown of the net revenue by tax category shows that Southern African Customs Union (SACU) receipts made the largest contribution, accounting for 33.8% or N$5.772 billion of total collections.”
NamRA collects N$17.1 billion, reaching 20.7% of annual targetInformanté
Southern African Customs Union is described as essential for protecting regional economies and promoting industrialisation
“Nandi-Ndaitwah further welcomed efforts to accelerate the reimagined Southern African Customs Union (SACU) agenda, saying a stronger customs union is essential for protecting regional economies and promoting industrialisation.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah calls for stronger Namibia-SA cooperation at BNC SummitWindhoek Observer
Southern African Customs Union accounts for 29.8% of Namibia's exports in May 2026
“May's data show that BRIC+ countries now absorb 28.4% of Namibia's exports, almost exactly matching SACU at 29.8%, while OECD countries account for 21.9%.”
Namibia’s trade partnerships at a crossroadsWindhoek Observer
Southern African Customs Union receipts drove international reserves increase to N$55.4 billion by end of May 2026
“By the end of May 2026, international reserves had risen further to N$55.4 billion, driven largely by Southern African Customs Union (SACU) receipts, revaluation gains and the monetisation of gold.”
Current account deficit narrows to N$9.9 billion in Q1Windhoek Observer
Southern African Customs Union approved SACU Regional Innovative Funding Mechanism with N$5 billion capitalisation
“A key outcome of the meeting was the approval of a SACU Regional Innovative Funding Mechanism, including a Fund of Funds with an initial capitalisation of N$5 billion over the 2027/28 and 2028/29 financial years.”
SACU backs industrialisation drive, approves N$5bn regional fundNamibia's international reserves increased 2.9% month-on-month to N$58 billion at end-July, supported by SACU receipts and foreign-currency placements, translating to 3.6 months import cover. Private-sector credit extension lost momentum during the month, while banking-sector cash balances fell sharply by 31.5% to N$6.7 billion.
2 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's international reserves increased 2.9% month-on-month to N$58 billion at end-July, supported by SACU receipts and foreign-currency placements, translating to 3.6 months import cover. Private-sector credit extension lost momentum during the month, while banking-sector cash balances fell sharply by 31.5% to N$6.7 billion.
2 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Bank of Namibia has lowered its 2026 economic growth forecast to 2.1%, down from its June projection and below the government's 3.1% target, citing sluggish mining, manufacturing, electricity and transport activity. The central bank held its repo rate at 6.75% in August as headline inflation plateaued at 4.4%, with foot-and-mouth disease and El Niño now identified as emerging risks.
1 September 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia and other SACU member states have signed Terms of Reference for formal negotiations on a Preferential Trade Agreement with India, establishing a framework to expand trade and investment opportunities. India's Commerce Minister said the agreement could support the region through medicine supply, IT skills development, and integration into global supply chains across sectors including pharmaceuticals, textiles, and agriculture.
14 August 2026 · Informanté →
Following the fourth India–Namibia Joint Trade Committee session in New Delhi, the two countries agreed to expand bilateral trade and investment cooperation, focusing on value addition, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, services and digitalisation. Bilateral merchandise trade reached US$592.94 million in 2025/26, and the countries committed to strengthening cooperation on lithium, graphite, copper, cobalt and rare earth elements.
14 August 2026 · Informanté →
The International Monetary Fund says Namibia's 1.7% economic growth in 2025 is too weak to meaningfully reduce unemployment, inequality and poverty, with growth expected to reach only 2.1% in 2026. The IMF attributes subdued performance to a narrow production base concentrated in public and extractive sectors, weak diamond production, declining gold output, and elevated fuel prices.
11 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Southern African Customs Union is expanding its Regional Authorised Economic Operator mutual recognition arrangement pilot to Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, with the second phase launching on 18 August and running until March 2027. Officials from the revenue agencies conducted assessments at border posts to identify bottlenecks and evaluate systems and procedures ahead of the formal launch.
11 August 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibia Revenue Agency collected N$17.09 billion in net revenue during the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, reaching 20.7% of its annual target of N$82.60 billion. Domestic taxes contributed N$10.30 billion (60% of net collections), with VAT, customs union revenue, and personal income tax as the largest component sources.
6 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Revenue Agency collected net revenue of N$17.094 billion by 30 June 2026, achieving 20.7% of its annual revenue target of N$82.6 billion. Domestic taxes contributed N$10.30 billion (18% of target), while customs and excise revenue totalled N$6.791 billion (26% of target).
5 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called for deeper economic cooperation between Namibia and South Africa in energy, trade and regional development while opening the Fourth Session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission Summit in Pretoria, and urged resolution of the long-standing Orange River boundary issue.
17 July 2026 · Informanté →
Presidents Nandi-Ndaitwah and Ramaphosa are set to meet in Pretoria to co-chair the Fourth Session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission, with directives expected to strengthen trade, investment, border management, infrastructure and energy cooperation between the two countries. Several new agreements and memoranda of understanding are also expected to be signed.
16 July 2026 · New Era →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will co-chair the Fourth Session of the Namibia-South Africa Bi-National Commission in Pretoria on 17 July 2026, with discussions focused on trade, investment, infrastructure, energy and regional cooperation. The BNC serves as the highest permanent bilateral cooperation mechanism between the two countries, supported by more than 150 agreements covering political, diplomatic, economic, social, defence and security cooperation.
16 July 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called on Chinese investors to partner with Namibia in building processing industries and creating jobs, saying the country must move beyond exporting raw minerals towards investment, industrialisation, manufacturing and technology transfer. She said Namibia's mineral deposits including uranium, diamonds, lithium, copper and rare earth minerals must be used to create greater economic benefits for Namibians.
10 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah called on Namibian businesses to leverage strengthened ties with China to pursue investment, manufacturing, and value-addition opportunities that can create jobs and support economic transformation. Speaking at the Namibia-China Business Forum in Beijing during a state visit, she urged companies to build strategic partnerships with Chinese counterparts and emphasised moving beyond raw material exports to focus on projects generating greater economic value.
9 July 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah told the Namibia-China Business Forum in Beijing that Namibia seeks partnerships focused on processing plants, manufacturing, and technology transfer rather than raw material extraction. She said local beneficiation is a government priority given Namibia's mineral wealth, high unemployment, and poverty, and invited Chinese investment in processing facilities, renewable energy, agriculture, and digital infrastructure.
9 July 2026 · The Namibian →
China received N$3.1 billion (25.2%) of Namibia's exports in May 2026, overtaking South Africa's 18.7% share for the first time in decades. The shift coincides with President Nandi-Ndaitwah's July 2026 state visit to Beijing, which produced agreements on infrastructure, green hydrogen, agriculture, and market access.
9 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia recorded its largest trade surplus with China in May at N$1.5 billion, placing China ahead of Botswana and Canada as Namibia's most favourable trading partner that month. Despite an overall trade deficit of N$3.1 billion, exports of uranium, fish, gold and diamonds helped cushion rising import costs.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
FNB Namibia expects corporate credit growth to average around 4.5% year-on-year in 2026, with corporates likely to prioritise liquidity preservation amid elevated interest rates. Overdraft lending slowed sharply to 6% in May, while mortgage lending improved to 1.6% and installment sale and leasing credit remained the strongest performer at 22.2%.
6 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia has the opportunity to move beyond exporting raw minerals and oil to pursue industrial development through value addition, technological advancement and industrial diversification. Integrating mining, petroleum, desalination and renewable energy into a broader industrial strategy could generate greater economic value than raw exports alone.
5 July 2026 · The Namibian →
MP Nelson Kalangula has warned that escalating disruptions affecting Namibian cross-border truck drivers operating in South Africa could have far-reaching economic consequences for Namibia, particularly due to the country's heavy dependence on South African supply routes. Kalangula noted that some transport operators have withdrawn trucks from South African routes due to safety concerns, reflecting a growing economic risk that could disrupt supply chains and increase pressure on domestic markets.
3 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's current account deficit narrowed to N$9.9 billion in the first quarter of 2026, down from N$10.6 billion in the previous quarter, driven by lower services payments and reduced net investment income outflows. The deficit improved to 14% of quarterly GDP, while international reserves increased to N$51.8 billion by end-March and further to N$55.4 billion by end-May, supported by SACU receipts and gold monetisation.
2 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Real GDP growth recovered to 2.0% in Q1 2026 after near-stagnation in late 2025, but mining contracted 12.2% due to weaker diamond and gold output, while services expanded around 5%. The Bank of Namibia raised its repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.75% in June in response to inflation reaching 4.1% in May, the highest in 14 months.
1 July 2026 · Informanté →
The Southern African Customs Union Heads of State approved a SACU Regional Innovative Funding Mechanism with an initial capitalisation of N$5 billion over the 2027/28 and 2028/29 financial years, directed toward development projects across member states as part of a broader commitment to regional integration and industrial development.
30 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Southern African Customs Union leaders, including President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, have approved establishment of a R5 billion regional development fund to finance cross-border industrial and infrastructure projects across all five member states. The fund will be financed from the SACU Common Revenue Pool during the 2027/28 and 2028/29 financial years.
29 June 2026 · New Era →
SACU has been a significant economic pillar for Namibia since independence, with annual customs revenue supporting education, healthcare, and infrastructure. However, as global trade patterns shift and powerful economies pursue bilateral agreements with individual African nations, SACU members face pressure to maintain collective negotiating strength and adapt to ensure regional competitiveness beyond revenue dependency.
29 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Southern African Customs Union leaders, including Namibia's president, approved a N$5 billion Regional Innovative Funding Mechanism to support development projects across member states and called for a 15-year extension of the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act beyond December 2026 to protect market access and jobs.
26 June 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has arrived in Cape Town to participate in the 9th Southern African Customs Union Summit of Heads of State and Government, where regional leaders from Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and South Africa will discuss economic integration, industrial development, trade cooperation, and the implementation of the SACU Strategic Plan (2022–2027).
26 June 2026 · Informanté →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah will participate in the 9th SACU Summit of Heads of State and Government on 26 June 2026 in Cape Town, where leaders from the five member states will discuss regional economic integration, industrial development, trade cooperation, and implementation of the SACU Strategic Plan.
26 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Bank of Namibia increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.75%, bringing the Prime lending rate to 10.25%, citing rising global and domestic inflationary pressures and shifting monetary policy stances among major central banks.
17 June 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reaffirmed strong bilateral ties during talks in Johannesburg, with both leaders emphasizing shared liberation history and commitment to deepening cooperation across political, economic, and social sectors through over 150 agreements covering trade, defence, education, infrastructure, energy, and diplomacy.
13 June 2026 · The Namibian →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Johannesburg, where both leaders reaffirmed longstanding fraternal relations rooted in shared liberation history and committed to expanding cooperation across trade, defence, education, infrastructure, and energy through frameworks including SADC and SACU.
13 June 2026 · Informanté →