Chamwe Kaira
Namibia’s annual inflation rate slowed to 2.1% in March 2026, down from 4.2% recorded in March 2025, according to the Namibian Statistics Agency (NSA).
NSA statistician general and chief executive officer Alex Shimuafeni said monthly inflation rose slightly to 0.2%, compared to 0.0% in February.
Core inflation stood at 2.9%, remaining higher than the headline rate.
Regional data shows that zone 2, which includes the Khomas region, recorded the highest annual inflation at 3.2%.
Zone 3, covering ||Karas, Erongo, Hardap and Omaheke regions recorded 2.0%, while zone 1, which includes northern regions, recorded the lowest rate at 1.0%.
Shimuafeni said inflation in zone 2 was above the national average, while zones 1 and 3 remained below it.
Prices of goods varied across regions. In March, consumers in zone 3 paid the highest price for a 5 kg bag of maize meal, at N$69.74.
Zone 2 recorded N$69.22, while zone 1 had the lowest price at N$66.96.
For biltong, zone 1 recorded the highest price at N$525.87 per kg.
Zone 2 followed at N$500.83, while Zone 3 recorded the lowest price at N$408.32 per kg.
Zone 1 includes Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa and Zambezi.
Price data is collected from areas such as Katima Mulilo, Oshakati and Otjiwarongo.
Zone 2 covers the Khomas region, with data collected across Windhoek, including Katutura, Khomasdal, industrial areas and surrounding suburbs.
Zone 3 includes //Kharas, Erongo, Hardap and Omaheke, with data collected from Keetmanshoop, Swakopmund, Mariental and Gobabis.
The NSA said these locations were selected based on household spending patterns, economic activity and regional coverage.
