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Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Southern African Customs Union

Also known as: SACU

Southern African Customs Union — regional customs and trade union that generated N$21.1 billion in tax revenue for Namibia by March 2026.

2023-10-252026-06-08
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What’s been said

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

  1. February 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Southern African Customs Union are set to resume preferential trade agreement negotiations with India this year

    Source

    “INDIA and the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) are set to resume preferential trade agreement negotiations this year to bolster bilateral trade and economic cooperation.”

    India signals southern Africa trade push

  3. The Namibian

    The Southern African Customs Union is in discussions with India on a preferential trade agreement

    Source

    “It is in this broader context that discussions between India and the Southern African Customs Union on a preferential trade agreement assume special significance.”

    Statement by Rahul Shrivastava, high commissioner of India to Namibia, on India’s expanding trade partnerships and implications for Namibia
  4. August 2025

  5. The Namibian

    Southern African Customs Union made the enhanced trade offer to the US

    Source

    “The enhanced trade offer to the US was made as part of the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) bloc of SA, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia.”

    Parks Tau’s ‘Plan A’ turns to new markets to outrun Trump’s trade war
  6. May 2025

  7. The Namibian

    Southern African Customs Union has as a member Namibia

    Source

    “Kenya is part of the East African Community, while Namibia belongs to the Southern African Customs Union and the Southern African Development Community.”

    Unlocking Opportunities Between Namibia and Kenya
  8. February 2024

  9. The Namibian

    Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) provided receipts estimated at N$28,0 billion

    Source

    “The substantial boost to revenues stem from a positive adjustment in Sacu receipts, which is estimated at N$28,0 billion, significantly better than our initial projections.”

    Sacu receipts boost Namibia’s revenue to N$90,4 billion
  10. October 2023

  11. The Namibian

    The Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) is preparing to set up its head office in Windhoek

    Source

    “THE Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) is preparing to set up its head office in Windhoek.”

    Sacu head office soon to set up in Windhoek
Politics

Government debt to local banks reaches N$52.4 billion

The News

The Namibian government's debt to local banks climbed to N$52.4 billion in April after a N$20.4 billion increase over the past year, with borrowing from the banking sector surging 63.6% and raising concerns about future inflationary pressures, according to economist Almandro Jansen.

Why it matters

Government debt to local banks soaring to N$52.4 billion signals rising fiscal pressure and inflationary risks for the Namibian economy.

3 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 3 June

  1. Government debt to local banks reaches N$52.4 billion

    The Namibian government's debt to local banks climbed to N$52.4 billion in April after a N$20.4 billion increase over the past year, with borrowing from the banking sector surging 63.6% and raising concerns about future inflationary pressures, according to economist Almandro Jansen.

    3 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 2 June

  1. Namibia's 2025 GDP growth fell short at 1.7%

    Namibia closed 2025 with GDP growth of 1.7%, below government and IMF forecasts, weighed down by depressed diamond revenues and livestock sector recovery from drought; uranium and gold mining, wholesale trade, transport, and services supported growth. The Bank of Namibia has revised its 2026 forecast down to 2.6%, citing elevated fuel costs and softer global demand, while inflation rebounded to 3.1% in April after reaching a cycle low of 2.1% in March, driven by rising transport, utility, and food prices.

    2 June 2026 · Informanté →

Monday 1 June

  1. Bank of Namibia reserves reach N$58.8 billion in April

    The Bank of Namibia's international reserves increased 13.6% in April to N$58.8 billion, supported by SACU inflows and foreign currency placements, providing an estimated import cover of 3.7 months. Private sector credit extension also accelerated, with loans to the domestic private sector reaching N$124.1 billion and growing at 4.8% annually.

    1 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Friday 29 May

  1. President calls for agriculture investment, rural development

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for urgent investment in agriculture, rural development and youth participation in farming, emphasizing that economic transformation depends on modernising agriculture while preserving cultural identity. She said the Omaludi Agricultural Festival demonstrates how agriculture and tourism can work together to create economic opportunities for local communities.

    29 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 27 May

  1. President urges development that preserves Namibia's cultural identity

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said at the 2026 Omaludi Agricultural Festival that Namibia must pursue development without abandoning its cultural identity, noting that festivals promote agriculture, tourism and local economic growth while preserving traditions. She urged farmers in northern communal areas to transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture through improved infrastructure, financing and market access.

    27 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 22 May

  1. Botswana's import bans undermine SACU agricultural free trade

    An opinion piece criticizes Botswana's frequent import restrictions on South African fruits and vegetables as protectionism that conflicts with SACU's free-trade principles, and advocates instead for regional coordination and collaboration to support food security goals.

    22 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 21 May

  1. Government convenes meeting on customs charges for importers

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare met with the finance minister and Namibia Revenue Agency commissioner to discuss solutions for small import entrepreneurs, known as 'Order With Me' operators, who face complaints over high and unpredictable customs duties, VAT, and courier clearance charges that are making their businesses unsustainable.

    21 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 9 May

  1. Mining recovery expected to boost Namibia's 2026 growth

    According to the African Development Bank, Namibia's economy slowed to 2.6% in 2025 due to weaker mining exports, subdued consumer spending and softer investment, but is projected to rebound to 3.7% in 2026 supported by recovery in mining, manufacturing and electricity production. The bank cautioned that fiscal and external pressures will remain, with the fiscal deficit widening to 3.4% in 2025 from 2.6% in 2024.

    9 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Government cash position hits largest deficit in recorded history

    The Bank of Namibia's March 2026 financial statement shows the government's cash position at the central bank reached -N$3.2 billion, the largest deficit in recorded history. The deficit reflects a combination of year-end spending pressures, Eurobond redemption, local bond redemptions, and lower-than-expected domestic revenue growth during the 2025/26 financial year.

    6 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 2 May

  1. Namibia, Zambia, DRC introduce 90-cent cargo levy

    Namibia, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have jointly launched a user-pays principle levy of 90 cents per tonne on all cross-border cargo along the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi corridor, effective 1 April. The levy is intended to address infrastructure gaps, border inefficiencies and procedural bottlenecks while funding sustainable maintenance and operations.

    2 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 16 April

  1. Southern African Customs Union contributes N$21 billion tax revenue

    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 →

Friday 20 March

  1. Nudo MP challenges Namibia's fishing and mining tax collection

    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 →

Thursday 12 March

  1. Aupindi proposes commodity dividends to hedge currency volatility

    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 →

Thursday 5 March

  1. Finance minister announces N$81.3 billion operational budget for 2026/27

    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 →

Wednesday 4 March

  1. 2026/27 budget stabilises debt amid growth constraints and revenue pressure

    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 →

Tuesday 3 March

  1. N$104 billion budget tilts toward wages and interest over growth

    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 →

Friday 27 February

  1. Finance minister announces N$81.3 billion budget for 2026/27

    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 →

  2. Finance Minister tables N$87.9 billion budget for 2026/27

    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 →

Thursday 26 February

  1. Namibia launches report on value addition and industrial diversification

    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 →

  2. China-Taiwan conflict poses economic risk to Namibia

    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 →

Saturday 21 February

  1. Namibia's foreign reserves recover to N$51.9 billion

    Namibia's international reserves rose from N$48.6 billion to N$51.9 billion, recovering from a decline caused by the October 2025 Eurobond redemption. Central bank governor Ebson Uanguta attributed the increase mainly to Southern African Customs Union receipts and said the level provides 3.3 months of import cover, sufficient to support the currency peg.

    21 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 20 February

  1. AfCFTA opportunity requires industrial strategy, not preferential access alone

    Namibia's participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area creates market access, but structural barriers like logistics costs, energy constraints, and limited industrial capacity will determine whether exporters can compete. Value addition and industrialisation require aligned government investment and private-sector readiness, not reliance on tariff elimination.

    20 February 2026 · New Era →

  2. India-SACU trade talks could expand regional exports by 40-60%

    Following India's free trade agreement with the EU, the High Commissioner of India to Namibia outlines a proposed Preferential Trade Agreement between India and the Southern African Customs Union—of which Namibia is coordinator—that could significantly boost trade in minerals, energy, and agricultural goods while opening access to Indian pharmaceuticals, technology, and services.

    20 February 2026 · New Era →

Thursday 19 February

  1. India, Southern Africa to resume trade agreement negotiations

    India and the Southern African Customs Union plan to resume preferential trade negotiations in 2025 to strengthen bilateral ties. According to India's high commissioner, a trade deal could boost India-Sacu trade by 40–60%, with Namibia benefiting particularly from easier access to Indian pharmaceuticals, textiles, and IT products, while India gains better market access to Namibian minerals, energy, and agricultural goods.

    19 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 February

  1. Government supports AfCFTA trade but won't dictate export products

    The Ministry of International Relations and Trade says it cannot determine what products exporters should trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, though it encourages value-added goods and provides support for Namibian businesses to compete in African markets. Namibia's intra-African trade reached N$4.7 billion in exports and N$7.7 billion in imports by September 2024, with the country ranking fourth in regional integration.

    18 February 2026 · New Era →

  2. India-EU trade deal signals opportunities for Namibia partnership

    India's high commissioner says the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement demonstrates India's capacity for balanced trade partnerships and positions India to engage constructively with Africa. He notes that India and the Southern African Customs Union, with Namibia as coordinator, are negotiating a preferential trade agreement that could increase bilateral trade by 40–60% and benefit Namibian exports of minerals, energy and agricultural products.

    18 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 17 February

  1. Deputy minister pitches Namibia as uranium and mining hub

    Namibia's deputy minister of industries, mines and energy told the Africa Mining Indaba 2026 in Cape Town that Namibia offers stable mining conditions and positions itself as a strategic partner in the global energy transition, with uranium production complemented by offshore oil and gas, renewable energy, and green hydrogen. The minister highlighted investment-ready projects and commitments to beneficiation, artisanal mining support, and sustainable development.

    17 February 2026 · The Namibian →

  2. Namibia hosts Global Water Partnership Organisation Secretariat

    Namibia has formally signed a headquarters agreement to host the secretariat of the Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) in Windhoek, making it the world's first Global South-anchored intergovernmental organisation dedicated to water. Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani said the decision reflects Namibia's long experience in water cooperation, transboundary basin management, and its proven track record hosting other regional institutions.

    17 February 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 13 February

  1. Namibia pitches itself as Africa's mining and energy hub

    At the 2026 Africa Mining Indaba, Deputy Minister Kröhne positioned Namibia as a stable, investor-ready destination seeking mineral beneficiation partnerships rather than raw material exports alone. The strategy emphasizes policy certainty, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and leveraging the country's uranium, diamonds, and offshore discoveries to power industrial growth and regional energy security.

    13 February 2026 · New Era →

Monday 9 February

  1. Namibia validates AfCFTA trade guide for businesses

    Namibia is validating a step-by-step guide to help businesses navigate cross-border trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, addressing long-standing challenges with rules of origin, customs procedures and border processes. The guide, developed with UN support, aims to empower MSMEs and expand Namibian exports to African markets beyond the current narrow concentration of products and destinations.

    9 February 2026 · Informanté →

Southern African Customs Union — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute