Namibia Inflation Rates Slows for 5th Month

The annual inflation rate in Namibia eased to 2.1% in March 2026, the lowest since July 2020, from 2.4% in the prior month, marking a fifth consecutive month of slowdown. The moderation in price growth was largely driven by alcoholic beverages and tobacco (1.9% vs 3.4% in February); hotels, cafes & restaurants (3.7% vs 4.8%) and communications (-1.4% vs -1.6%). Transportation prices also continued to fall (-1.7% vs -1%). To mitigate the effects of Middle East tensions on consumers, Namibia’s government has implemented a temporary fuel levy reduction, cutting levies by 50% for three months starting 1 April 2026. On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up by 0.2%, after being flat in the previous month.

The annual inflation rate in Namibia fell to 2.4% in February 2026 from 2.9% in the prior month, marking the fourth consecutive period of slowing price growth to the lowest since December 2020. Prices decelerated primarily for food & non-alcoholic beverages (1.6% vs 1.9% in January); alcoholic beverages & tobacco (3.4% vs 3.8%); miscellaneous goods & services (1.3% vs 1.5%) and clothing & footwear (0.3% vs 0.7%). At the same time, declines were seen for transportation (-1% vs 1.7%) and communications (-1.6% vs -1.4%). On the other hand, housing & utilities (4.7% vs 4.6%); hotels & restaurants (4.8% vs 3.6%) and recreation & culture (3.9% vs 3.7%) registered faster increases. On a monthly basis, the CPI was flat, after rising by 0.8% in the previous month.

The annual inflation rate in Namibia edged down to 2.9% in January 2026, the lowest level since February 2021, from 3.2% in December. This marked the third consecutive month of slowing inflation, mainly on account of food & non-alcoholic beverages (1.9% vs 2.6% in December); education (2.4% vs 4.3%); hotels, cafes & restaurants (3.6% vs 4.2%); recreation & culture (3.7% vs 4.3%) and miscellaneous goods & services (1.5% vs 2.8%). In the meantime, communication prices decreased 1.4%, after a 0.4% rise in the month before. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 0.8%, accelerating from a 0.1% increase in the prior month.