Namibia has a population of 2.5 million, but following the expansion of the port at Walvis Bay, the country is positioning itself as a gateway to the more than 345 million people in the broader Southern Africa market and beyond.  If recent assessments are proven commercially viable, Namibia could become a top 15 global oil producer by 2035, thus unlocking an unprecedented revenue windfall for the Namibian government.  Namibia enjoys one of the most stable and peaceful political environments in Africa. Primary infrastructure (roads, rail, air, energy, and telecommunications) is relatively well developed and modern.  The economy is mostly export-driven.  Mining, fishing, tourism, and agriculture are Namibia’s key industries.  While the United States is among Namibia’s top ten trading partners, imports into Namibia are dominated by South Africa, which is the source of 60 percent of Namibia’s total imports.  The Namibian dollar (N$) is pegged one to one (1:1) to the South African Rand (ZAR). 

Political Environment

For background information on the political and economic environment of Namibia, please click on the link to the U.S. Department of State Countries & Areas.