Food, housing and alcohol drive 3.5% inflation rate

Namibia’s headline annual inflation rate stood at 3.5% in September, according to the latest figures released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).

The main contributors to price growth were increases in the categories of food and non-alcoholic beverages (6.5%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (5.2%), and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (2.5%).

“The headline annual inflation rate for September 2025 stood at 3.5%, slightly higher than the 3.4% recorded in September 2024. On a monthly basis, inflation remained constant at 0%, consistent with the month-on-month inflation rate recorded in the previous month,” says NSA statistician general and chief executive Alex Shimuafeni.

The NSA report highlights that within the food category, the most significant price increases were recorded for rice (11.6%), milk, cheese and eggs (9.1%), fruits (8.6%), and sugar, jam, honey, syrups, chocolate and confectionery (6.9%). However, consumers experienced some relief as prices for oils and fats fell by 2.8%.

The transport category showed little movement, recording a 0.1% increase, largely due to stable fuel prices. Meanwhile, education costs rose by 3.7% year on year, reflecting higher tuition fees at private institutions.

“Annual inflation for the purchase of vehicles accelerated to 4.4% in September 2025, compared to 2.8% registered a year ago,” the report states.

Regionally, the Khomas region recorded the lowest inflation rate at 2.9%, while the Zambezi and Omusati regions experienced higher rates of 4.1% and 4.3%, respectively.

The NSA attributed these regional differences to varying price movements in food and housing.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile items such as food and fuel, stood at 3.8%, slightly above the headline rate, indicating underlying price pressures in essential goods and services.

Analysts say the stable inflation rate reflects a balance between moderating global commodity prices and persistent domestic cost pressures.

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