Namibia’s mining and quarrying sector contracted by 4.2% in real value added during the third quarter of 2025, an improvement from the 18.8% decline recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2024, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).
In its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report for the third quarter of 2025, the NSA said the contraction was recorded across most mining and quarrying subsectors, with the exception of ‘other mining and quarrying’ and uranium mining, which registered growth of 10.3% and 0.6%, respectively.
The agency said diamond mining has continued to decline since the second quarter of 2024. During the quarter under review, the subsector contracted by 9.3% in real value added, compared to a sharper decline of 32.6% in the same quarter last year.
According to the NSA, the weak performance in diamond mining was driven by reduced production linked to a persistent slowdown in global demand.
The metal ores subsector also recorded a decline of 13.2% in real value added in the third quarter of 2025, reversing the 21.8% growth recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2024. The contraction was mainly due to lower production of gold, zinc and lead.
In contrast, the ‘other mining and quarrying’ subsector posted double-digit growth of 10.3% during the quarter, up from 2.4% growth recorded in the third quarter of 2024.
“The improved performance in the subsector is mainly attributed to an increase in the production of marble,” the NSA said.
Uranium mining recorded modest growth of 0.6% in real value added during the quarter under review, compared to growth of 12.3% in the same period last year. The NSA attributed this performance to a marginal increase in uranium ore production.
The contraction in mining comes as Namibia’s overall economy grew by 1.9% in the third quarter of 2025, slightly slower than the 2.1% growth recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2024.
“The performance during the quarter under review is mainly attributable to tertiary industries, which recorded growth of 4.1% in real value added, compared to 6.1% growth in the corresponding period of 2024,” the NSA said.
Commenting on the outlook, Simonis Storm Economist Almandro Jansen said the mining sector presents a mixed but important picture, with uranium continuing to support economic growth and export earnings amid strong global demand linked to the nuclear energy transition.
“Namibia’s position as a strategic uranium supplier strengthens the external account. However, diamonds and base metals remain under pressure, reflecting weaker global demand and price volatility, which tempers the sector’s overall contribution,” Jansen said.
He added that the oil and gas sector remains in the appraisal and pre-development phase, noting that while offshore discoveries in the Orange Basin remain strategically significant, recent delays and write-downs highlight the long lead times, capital intensity and execution risks inherent in the sector.
“Translating potential resources into fiscal and developmental gains will require substantial investment in infrastructure, logistics, energy systems and regulatory capacity, alongside clear and consistent policy frameworks,” Jansen said.
