Namibia’s mining sector generated N$6.7 billion in export earnings in June 2026, accounting for more than half of the country’s total exports as uranium retained its position as the country’s largest export commodity.
According to the Namibia Statistics Agency’s (NSA) International Merchandise Trade Statistics Bulletin for June 2026, mining and quarrying exports accounted for 52.1% of Namibia’s total exports, underscoring the sector’s continued dominance in the country’s export economy.
Uranium remained the leading export, generating N$2.9 billion, or 22.3% of total exports, with China remaining the principal destination. Uranium export earnings increased by N$106 million compared to May.
Non-monetary gold ranked as the second-largest export, contributing N$1.5 billion or 11.8% of total exports, with all shipments destined for South Africa.
Precious stones, including diamonds, generated N$1.3 billion, accounting for 10.3% of exports, with Botswana, the United Arab Emirates and Belgium serving as the main export markets.
Nickel ores and concentrates also contributed N$1.3 billion, representing 10.3% of exports, with shipments destined for Canada, Finland and China.
Combined, uranium, gold, diamonds and nickel ores accounted for 54.7% of Namibia’s total export earnings during June.
“Uranium was Namibia’s largest exported commodity in June 2026, accounting for 22.3% of total exports, mainly absorbed by China. Non-monetary gold emerged as the second most exported commodity, accounting for 11.8% of total exports, destined only for South Africa,” the NSA said.
Within the mining sector, metal ore mining generated N$4.7 billion in exports, followed by other mining and quarrying activities at N$1.4 billion, while mining support services contributed N$599 million.
The sector also remained a major importer, with mining-related imports increasing 7.7% month-on-month to N$5.4 billion, representing 29.5% of Namibia’s total imports.
Mining support services accounted for the largest share of mining imports at N$4 billion, reflecting continued demand for imported equipment, specialised services and operational inputs.
Major mining-related imports included sulphur and unroasted iron pyrites valued at N$1.2 billion, sourced mainly from the United States and Canada, nickel ores and concentrates worth N$969 million imported from Zambia, and civil engineering and contractors’ equipment valued at N$477 million.
The NSA also reported N$3.8 billion in mining-related re-exports during the month, led by nickel ores and concentrates, which accounted for 34.6% of total re-export earnings and were shipped mainly to Canada, Finland and China.
The mining sector recorded trade surpluses across several key commodities, including uranium (N$2.9 billion), non-monetary gold (N$1.5 billion) and precious stones (N$1.3 billion).
Mining exports were primarily destined for BRIC+ countries, which accounted for 31.1% of total exports, followed by SACU markets (27.4%) and OECD countries (22%), reinforcing the sector’s importance to Namibia’s international trade performance.
