Namibia exported uranium worth N$3.5 billion in May 2025, making it the country’s top export commodity and accounting for 29.3% of total export earnings, according to data from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
The agency’s international merchandise trade statistics show that the bulk of uranium exports were destined for China.
“Uranium was Namibia’s largest exported commodity in May 2025, accounting for 29.3 percent of total exports, largely demanded by China,” the NSA stated.
Non-monetary gold was the second-highest export, valued at N$1.7 billion and making up 14.3% of total exports. All shipments of gold during the month were sent to South Africa.
Fish exports came in third, valued at N$1.2 billion and contributing 10.3% to total exports. The primary markets were Spain, Zambia and Italy.
Precious stones (diamonds) followed closely, earning N$1.2 billion or 10.2%, with most exports going to Botswana, the United Arab Emirates and Belgium.
Copper and articles of copper were the fifth-largest export, bringing in N$545 million or 4.6%, including re-exports which made up 4.3%. Most of the copper exports were sent to South Korea.
“These five products jointly accounted for N$8.1 billion, or 68.6% of total exports, highlighting Namibia’s heavy reliance on extractive and marine commodities for foreign revenue,” the report noted.
On the import side, the top five commodities made up 24.2% of total imports, with the overall import bill for May standing at N$11.7 billion.
Petroleum oils led imports, valued at N$1.05 billion (9.0%), followed by nickel ores and concentrates at N$540 million (4.6%), and base metal ores and concentrates at N$456 million (3.9%).
Specialised machinery for particular industries ranked fourth, totalling N$410 million (3.5%), while civil engineering and contractors’ equipment stood at N$371 million (3.2%).
“Other machinery and equipment specialised for particular industries were mainly sourced from India and South Africa. Civil engineering and contractors’ equipment was largely imported from China, France and South Africa,” the NSA said.
