Chamwe Kaira
Namibia’s annual inflation rate eased to 2.9% in January, down from 3.2% recorded in January last year, according to the latest Namibia Consumer Price Index report.
Statistician general and Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) chief executive officer Alex Shimuafeni released the report.
On a month-on-month basis, inflation rose to 0.8% in January from 0.1% in December 2025. This shows prices increased at a faster pace during the month under review.
The report states that inflation measures the sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services over time.
Changes in inflation are tracked through movements in the Consumer Price Index, which compares prices in the current month with those of the previous month and the same month a year earlier.
The CPI is published about 15 days after the end of the reference month.
Headline inflation, which includes items such as food and energy, stood at 2.9% in January 2026. Core inflation, which excludes selected volatile items to show underlying price pressures, was recorded at 3.2%.
The report notes that inflation remains an important indicator for economic policy, especially monetary policy aimed at maintaining price stability and managing consumer spending.
Low and stable inflation supports planning, savings and investment, while high or unstable inflation reduces purchasing power and affects households on fixed incomes.
Regional data show differences across the country. Zone 2, which includes the Khomas region, recorded the highest annual inflation rate at 3.8%.
Zone 3, covering the //Kharas, Erongo, Hardap and Omaheke regions, followed at 3.2%. Zone 1, which includes Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa and Zambezi, recorded the lowest annual rate at 1.9%.
Average retail prices for selected goods also differed by region. In January 2026, consumers in Zone 2 paid the highest average price for biltong at N$535.71 per kilogram, followed by Zone 1 at N$508.50. Zone 3 recorded the lowest average price at N$430.16.
For a 750 ml bottle of whisky, Zone 2 recorded the lowest average price at N$258, followed by Zone 1 at N$262.80, while Zone 3 recorded the highest average price at N$262.85.
