Also known as: SACU
Regional customs union with Namibia as member; contributed N$21.1 billion in tax revenue to Namibia as of March 2026.
The Southern African Customs Union remained Namibia's largest tax contributor at N$21.1 billion as at the end of March, according to the Namibia Revenue Agency. Namra collected a net revenue of N$81.1 billion by March 2026, with VAT and personal income tax as the second and third-largest contributors.
16 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Southern African Customs Union remained Namibia's largest tax contributor at N$21.1 billion as at the end of March, according to the Namibia Revenue Agency. Namra collected a net revenue of N$81.1 billion by March 2026, with VAT and personal income tax as the second and third-largest contributors.
16 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu has raised concerns about low tax revenue collection from Namibia's fishing and mining industries despite their significant economic contributions. He called for stronger collection systems, value addition to lithium, and industrialisation incentives to boost government revenue and reduce reliance on foreign loans.
20 March 2026 · New Era →
Swapo MP Tobie Aupindi has proposed a "Commodity Dividend Model" under which Namibia would receive mining and resource dividends in physical commodities like gold, uranium, and lithium rather than fiat currency, arguing this would protect the country against inflation and currency volatility while building a strategic reserve. Aupindi also called for greater industrialisation, more effective taxation of mineral rents, reform of state-owned enterprises, and a shift from passive SACU reliance toward regional value chains and manufacturing.
12 March 2026 · New Era →
Finance minister Ericah Shafudah unveiled an operational budget of N$81.3 billion for the 2026/27 financial year, with 61.7% of spending directed to the social sector including education, health, and civil service salary increases. The government projects revenue of N$89.8 billion and targets a budget deficit of 5.5% of GDP, down from current levels as part of its fiscal consolidation strategy.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
An economist from Simonis Storm Securities says Namibia's 2026/27 budget represents a stabilisation framework under financial constraint, with GDP growth revised to 3.1% and projected to recover only modestly. The budget reveals structural vulnerabilities: revenue remains heavily exposed to SACU volatility and commodity cycles, public debt is projected to stabilise at an elevated 67.5% of GDP, and interest payments will consume nearly 18% of total revenue, crowding out fiscal space for other priorities.
4 March 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's FY2026/27 budget allocates N$81.3 billion to operational spending but cuts capital expenditure to N$8.47 billion, prompting analysts to warn that low investment in infrastructure risks slower economic growth while debt servicing consumes 18% of projected revenue.
3 March 2026 · New Era →
Finance minister Ericah Shafudah announced an operational budget of N$81.3 billion for 2026/27, with the social sector receiving N$54.3 billion (61.7% of total spending). The budget includes civil servant salary increases effective April 2026 and projected revenue of N$89.8 billion, with the budget deficit expected to decline to 5.5% of GDP.
27 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Minister Ericah Shafudah tabled the national budget for FY2026/27 totalling N$87.9 billion, down from N$106.3 billion the previous year, amid declining diamond revenue and lower SACU receipts. The budget prioritises social spending with N$54.3 billion (61.7%) allocated to education, health, and social services, while allocating N$1.7 billion for civil servant salary increases.
27 February 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia has launched a report on value addition and diversification within the energy transition mineral value chain, aimed at moving the economy beyond an extractive model toward sustainable industrialisation. Minister Ashipala-Musavyi emphasised that diversification must extend to small and medium-sized enterprises, and that regional integration through SADC, SACU and the African Continental Free Trade Area is critical to scaling production and accessing markets.
26 February 2026 · Informanté →
A military conflict between China and Taiwan could disrupt Namibia's economy given that China is its second-largest trading partner and largest source of foreign direct investment, particularly affecting mining, trade, and infrastructure funding. The article argues that Namibia should diversify its trade partnerships to reduce vulnerability to external shocks in East Asia.
26 February 2026 · The Namibian →