Partner risk indices

Country Risk Index

51.3

Political Risk Index

43.7

Short-Term Economic Risk Index

61

Long-Term Economic Risk Index

58.3

Operational Risk Index

50.5

Source: Partner Research Partner, as of 8 Nov 2026. 0-100, higher means higher risk.

Key indicators

Market overview

• Namibia is in Southern Africa and is classified by the World Bank as Lower middle income. (World Bank)
• Population: 3.1 million (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• GDP: US$15.1bn in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)

Economic conditions

• Real GDP growth: 1.7% in 2025 (estimate); the IMF projects 2% for 2026. (IMF WEO)
• Average consumer price inflation: 3.5% in 2025 (estimate); projected 4.1% for 2026. (IMF WEO)
• General government gross debt: 67.5% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Current account balance: -13.1% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Government net lending/borrowing: -5.9% of GDP in 2025 (estimate). (IMF WEO)
• Official exchange rate averaged 17.89 local currency units per US dollar in 2025, against 18.45 in 2023: 3% more units per dollar fewer (the currency strengthened against the dollar). (World Bank WDI)

Key risks

• Partner risk indices (0-100, higher = higher risk), as of 8 Nov 2026: Country Risk Index 51.3 (rank 12 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Political Risk Index 43.7 (rank 7 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Short-Term Economic Risk Index 61 (rank 40 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Long-Term Economic Risk Index 58.3 (rank 32 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk); Operational Risk Index 50.5 (rank 7 of 53 in Africa, 1 = lowest risk). (Partner Research Partner)
• Highest-scoring Partner risk component: logistics risk (54.3, operational). (Partner Research Partner)
• World Bank governance scores (2025, 0-100, higher is better): control of corruption 51; government effectiveness 54; political stability and absence of violence 79; rule of law 65; regulatory quality 57. (World Bank WGI)
• Unemployment (modelled ILO estimate): 19.3% of labour force (2025). (World Bank WDI)

Investment considerations

• Foreign direct investment, net inflows: 9.6% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Domestic credit to the private sector: 55.1% of GDP (2024). (World Bank WDI)
• Bank lending interest rate: 11% (2024). (World Bank WDI)
• Trade (exports plus imports): 108.6% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• The Meridian holds 410 published records tagged to Namibia. (The Meridian)

Sector snapshot

• Energy and power: access to electricity 59.3% of population (2024); renewable share of final energy consumption 30% (2021). (World Bank WDI)
• Mining and minerals: mineral rents 3.2% of GDP (2021); ores and metals exports 32.3% of merchandise exports (2024). (World Bank WDI)
• Financial services: foreign direct investment, net inflows 9.6% of GDP (2025); bank lending interest rate 11% (2024). (World Bank WDI)
• Technology, media and telecoms: internet users 64.9% of population (2024); mobile subscriptions 85.2 per 100 people (2024). (World Bank WDI)
• Agriculture: agriculture, forestry and fishing, value added 7% of GDP (2025); employment in agriculture 22.3% of employment (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Manufacturing and industry: manufacturing, value added 10% of GDP (2025); industry (including construction), value added 28.9% of GDP (2025). (World Bank WDI)
• Infrastructure and real estate: urban population 50.9% of population (2025); access to electricity 59.3% of population (2024). (World Bank WDI)

Recent developments

• Shell $400 Million Namibia Setback Meets a New Deepwater Test An Independent Investigation – Royal Dutch Shell Plc . com (royaldutchshellplc.com, 12 Nov 2026) (GDELT)
• Qatar Buys 25 % of Chevron Namibia Block (riotimesonline.com, 12 Nov 2026) (GDELT)
• Namibia Visa and Residency Rules for Foreigners 2026 (riotimesonline.com, 12 Nov 2026) (GDELT)
• The case for sustainable trophy hunting in Namibia (dailymaverick.co.za, 8 Nov 2026) (GDELT)

Data limitations and sources

• Older data, shown with its period and not described as current: Renewable share of final energy consumption (Latest published value is for 2021); Oil rents (Latest published value is for 2021); Mineral rents (Latest published value is for 2021).
• IMF figures for the most recent year are IMF estimates and later years are projections. World Bank series typically lag by one to two years. Headlines come from automated news monitoring and are not verified by The Meridian.
• Sources last checked 15 Nov 2026.

Meridian transactions

• GCF US$140m catalytic financing for Climate Fund Managers (CI3 / SIDF – South Africa & Namibia)
• Kholo Capital invests R275 million in DCC Holdings’ operations in South Africa
• Banyan Tree Holdings – strategic partnership with and majority acquisition of Newmark Hotels & Reserves
• Andersen Group Inc. acquires South African investment bank Merchantec Capital
• Development Bank of Namibia NAD2.5bn domestic medium-term note programme
• GIPF acquisition of 25% of Capricorn Investment Group