Namibia’s mining and quarrying sector recorded a N$2.7 billion decline in export earnings in April 2026 compared to the previous month, contributing significantly to a 26.2% drop in the country’s overall exports.
According to the latest trade figures released by the Namibia Statistics Agency, the sector accounted for 40.4% of total exports during the month, underlining its continued importance to Namibia’s export performance despite the sharp decline.
Namibia generated N$9.8 billion in export revenue in April, down from March and 7.7% lower than the N$10.6 billion recorded in April 2025.
The decline was largely driven by lower uranium exports, which fell by N$2.1 billion month-on-month.
“Additional decreases were recorded in nickel ores and concentrates, which declined by N$709 million, while ores and concentrates of base metals dropped by N$449 million. Exports of non-monetary gold also decreased by N$399 million,” the NSA said.
Despite the decline, mineral commodities continued to dominate Namibia’s export basket.
Non-monetary gold was the country’s largest export commodity during April, accounting for 17.7% of total exports, with most shipments destined for South Africa.
“Fish ranked second with a 15.6% share of exports, with key markets including Spain, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uranium followed closely behind, accounting for 15.0% of exports and primarily destined for China and France,” the NSA said.
Diamonds ranked fourth, contributing 12.2% of total exports and mainly exported to Botswana, the United Arab Emirates and Belgium.
The agency noted that the manufacturing sector remained Namibia’s largest exporting industry, generating N$5.4 billion and accounting for more than half of total export earnings. However, exports from the sector declined by N$703 million compared to March.
The agriculture, forestry and fishing sector ranked third among exporting industries, accounting for 3.6% of total exports.
“The country’s export basket remained heavily concentrated in commodities from the extractive sector, with non-monetary gold, uranium, diamonds and petroleum oils among the leading export products. Fish was the only non-mineral commodity among the five largest exports,” the NSA said.
Meanwhile, re-exports declined sharply during the month, falling by 39.8% to N$2.2 billion. Nickel ores and concentrates accounted for the largest share of re-exports, followed by petroleum oils and fertilisers.
Despite the monthly decline, cumulative exports for the first four months of 2026 reached N$41 billion, slightly higher than the N$40.5 billion recorded during the corresponding period in 2025.
