Namibia - NA - NAM - NAM - Africa

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Brandon HUDSPETH (since 1 January 2025)

embassy: 38 Metje Street, Klein Windhoek, Windhoek

mailing address: 2540 Windhoek Place, Washington DC  20521-2540

telephone: [264] (61) 202-5000

FAX: [264] (61) 202-5219

email address and website:
ConsularWindhoek@state.gov

https://na.usembassy.gov/

0-14 years: 34.1% (male 482,790/female 473,306)

15-64 years: 62% (male 846,810/female 890,099)

65 years and over: 3.9% (2024 est.) (male 47,686/female 62,969)

22 00 S, 17 00 E

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

prolonged periods of drought

almost seven times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly more than half the size of Alaska

18-25 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service; no conscription (2024)

note: as of 2022, women comprised about 23% of the active-duty military

Various ethnic groups occupied southwestern Africa prior to Germany establishing a colony over most of the territory in 1884. South Africa occupied the colony, then known as German South West Africa, in 1915 during World War I and administered it as a mandate until after World War II, when it annexed the territory. In 1966, the Marxist South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) guerrilla group launched a war of independence for the area that became Namibia, but it was not until 1988 that South Africa agreed to end its administration in accordance with a UN peace plan for the entire region. Namibia gained independence in 1990, and SWAPO has governed it since, although the party has dropped much of its Marxist ideology. President Hage GEINGOB was elected in 2014 in a landslide victory, replacing Hifikepunye POHAMBA, who stepped down after serving two terms. SWAPO retained its parliamentary super majority in the 2014 elections. In 2019 elections, GEINGOB was reelected but by a substantially reduced majority, and SWAPO narrowly lost its super majority in parliament.

depletion and degradation of water and aquatic resources; desertification; land degradation; loss of biodiversity and biotic resources; wildlife poaching

party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

2.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
3% of GDP (2022 est.)
3% of GDP (2021 est.)
3.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
3.3% of GDP (2019 est.)

17.4% (2015 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

lowest 10%: 1% (2015 est.)

highest 10%: 47.2% (2015 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

gold, diamonds, radioactive chemicals, fish, refined petroleum (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

South Africa 27%, China 12%, Botswana 8%, Belgium 7%, France 5% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

14 regions; Erongo, Hardap, //Karas, Kavango East, Kavango West, Khomas, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omaheke, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Zambezi; note - the Karas Region was renamed //Karas in September 2013 to include the alveolar lateral click of the Khoekhoegowab language

root vegetables, milk, maize, beef, grapes, onions, wheat, fruits, pulses, vegetables (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Namibian Defense Force (NDF): Namibian Army, Namibian Navy, Namibian Air Force (2025)

note: the Namibian Police Force is under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security; it has a paramilitary Special Field Force responsible for protecting borders and government installations

revenues: $3.998 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $4.535 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

name: Windhoek

geographic coordinates: 22 34 S, 17 05 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: may derive from the Afrikaans word "wind-hoek" meaning "windy corner"

refined petroleum, copper ore, ships, electricity, trucks (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

desert; hot, dry; rainfall sparse and erratic

1,572 km

history: adopted 9 February 1990, entered into force 21 March 1990

amendment process: passage requires majority vote of the National Assembly membership and of the National Council of Parliament and assent of the president of the republic; if the National Council fails to pass an amendment, the president can call for a referendum; passage by referendum requires two-thirds majority of votes cast; amendments that detract from or repeal constitutional articles on fundamental rights and freedoms cannot be amended, and the requisite majorities needed by Parliament to amend the constitution cannot be changed

Namibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
18.446 (2023 est.)
16.356 (2022 est.)
14.779 (2021 est.)
16.463 (2020 est.)
14.449 (2019 est.)

chief of state: President Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH (since 21 March 2025)

head of government: President Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH (since 21 March 2025)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 November 2024 (next to be held in November 2029) note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; note- President Hage GEINGOB died on 4 February 2024, and Vice President MBUMBA was sworn in to run the government until the next presidential election in November 2024; note- Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH won the 7 December 2024 election with her inauguration scheduled for 21 March 2025

election results: 2024: Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH elected president in the first round; percent of vote -Netumbo Nandi-NDAITWAH (SWAPO) 57%, Panduleni  ITULA (IPC) 26%, McHenry VENAANI (PDM) 5.10%, Bernadus SWARTBOOI (LPM) 4.72%, Job AMUPANDA (AR) 1.80%, Hendrik GAOBEAB (UDF) 1.16%; other 3.31%

2019: Hage GEINGOB reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Hage GEINGOB (SWAPO) 56.3%, Panduleni ITULA (independent) 29.4%, McHenry VENAANI (PDM) 5.3%, other .9%

 

a wide red stripe edged by narrow white stripes divides the flag diagonally from lower hoist corner to upper fly corner; the upper hoist-side triangle is blue and charged with a golden-yellow, 12-rayed sunburst; the lower fly-side triangle is green; red signifies the heroism of the people and their determination to build a future of equal opportunity for all; white stands for peace, unity, tranquility, and harmony; blue represents the Namibian sky and the Atlantic Ocean, the country's precious water resources and rain; the golden-yellow sun denotes power and existence; green symbolizes vegetation and agricultural resources

total: 48,875 km

paved: 7,893 km

unpaved: 40,982 km (2018)

21 March 1990 (from South African mandate)

mining, tourism, fishing, agriculture

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 3 judges in quorum sessions)

judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president of Namibia on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission; judges serve until age 65, but terms can be extended by the president until age 70

subordinate courts: High Court; Electoral Court, Labor Court; regional and district magistrates' courts; community courts

total: 4,220 km

border countries (4): Angola 1,427 km; Botswana 1,544 km; South Africa 1,005 km; Zambia 244 km

agricultural land: 47.1% (2022 est.)

arable land: 1% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 46.2% (2022 est.)

forest: 7.9% (2022 est.)

other: 45% (2022 est.)

mixed legal system of uncodified civil law based on Roman-Dutch law and customary law

legislature name: Parliament

legislative structure: bicameral

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 92.3%

male: 90.6%

female: 92.3% (2021)

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, CPLP (associate observer), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence Day, 21 March (1990)

noun: Namibian(s)

adjective: Namibian

diamonds, copper, uranium, gold, silver, lead, tin, lithium, cadmium, tungsten, zinc, salt, hydropower, fish

note: suspected deposits of oil, coal, and iron ore

the Namib Desert, after which the country is named, is considered to be the oldest desert in the world; Namibia is the first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip; Namib-Naukluft National Park (49,768 sq km), is the largest game park in Africa and one of the largest in the world

upper middle-income, export-driven Sub-Saharan economy; natural resource rich; Walvis Bay port expansion for trade; high potential for renewable power generation and energy independence; major nature-based tourist locale; natural resource rich; shortage of skilled labor

All People's Party or APP 
Christian Democratic Voice or CDV 
Landless People's Movement or LPM 
National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO 
Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters or NEFF 
Popular Democratic Movement or PDM (formerly Democratic Turnhalle Alliance or DTA) 
Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP 
Republican Party or RP
South West Africa National Union or SWANU 
South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO 
United Democratic Front or UDF 
United People's Movement or UPM

total: 2,628 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 2,628 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge

18 years of age; universal

general assessment: the government’s Broadband Policy aims to provide 95% population coverage by 2024; mobile network coverage has increased sharply in recent years; by 2023, 3G infrastructure provided 89% population coverage while LTE infrastructure provided 79% coverage; despite the relatively advanced nature of the market, progress towards 5G has been slow, partly due to unsubstantiated public concerns over health implications of the technology which caused the government to order an environmental assessment of 5G in mid-2020; the government has requested the regulator to speed up its 5G development strategy; Namibia’s internet and broadband sector is reasonably competitive, its development was for many years held back by high prices for international bandwidth caused by the lack of a direct connection to international submarine cables; this market situation improved after operators invested in diversifying terrestrial access routes to adjacent countries; in June 2022 Namibia was connected to a 1,050km branch line of cable running between Portugal and South Africa (2022)

domestic: fixed-line subscribership is 4 per 100 and mobile-cellular roughly 113 per 100 persons (2022) (2021)

international: country code - 264; landing points for the ACE and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable linking southern and western African countries to Europe; satellite earth stations - 4 Intelsat (2019)

mostly high plateau; Namib Desert along coast; Kalahari Desert in east

presidential republic

conventional long form: Republic of Namibia

conventional short form: Namibia

local long form: Republic of Namibia

local short form: Namibia

former: German South-West Africa (Deutsch-Suedwestafrika), South-West Africa

etymology: named for the coastal Namib Desert; the word namib comes from the local Nama language and means "an area where there is nothing"

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and South Africa

Africa

80 sq km (2012)

chief of mission: Ambassador Margareth Natalie MENSAH-WILLIAMS (since 18 January 2021)

chancery: 1605 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 986-0540

FAX: [1] (202) 986-0443

email address and website:
info@namibiaembassyusa.org

https://namibiaembassyusa.org/

percent of population: 62% (2022 est.)

.na

$12.351 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Fitch rating: BB (2019)

Moody's rating: Ba3 (2020)

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

39.91 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

urban population: 54.9% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 3.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

1 private and 1 state-run TV station; satellite and cable TV service available; state-run radio service broadcasts in multiple languages; about a dozen private radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available

improved:

urban: 98.9% of population

rural: 83.2% of population

total: 91.4% of population

unimproved:

urban: 1.1% of population

rural: 16.8% of population

total: 8.6% of population (2020 est.)

name: "Namibia, Land of the Brave"

lyrics/music: Axali DOESEB

note: adopted 1991

477,000 WINDHOEK (capital) (2023)

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

2.7 beds/1,000 population

oryx (antelope); national colors: blue, red, green, white, yellow

21.6 years (2013 est.)

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

56.1% (2013)

household consumption: 73.3% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 21.8% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 26.2% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.5% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 43.4% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -66.2% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

total dependency ratio: 67.3

youth dependency ratio: 60.6

elderly dependency ratio: 6.7

potential support ratio: 14.8 (2021 est.)

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Namibia

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

population density is very low, with the largest clustering found in the extreme north-central area along the border with Angola as shown in this population distribution map

electrification - total population: 56.2% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas: 74.8%

electrification - rural areas: 33.2%

number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 21

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 602,893 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 26.29 million (2018) mt-km

V5

improved:

urban: 70.6% of population

rural: 23.6% of population

total: 48.1% of population

unimproved:

urban: 29.4% of population

rural: 76.4% of population

total: 51.9% of population (2020 est.)

Ovambo 50%, Kavangos 9%, Herero 7%, Damara 7%, mixed European and African ancestry 6.5%, European 6%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, San 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana 0.5%

Christian 97.5%, other 0.6% (includes Muslim, Baha'i, Jewish, Buddhist), unaffiliated 1.9% (2020 est.)

Oshiwambo languages 49.7%, Nama/Damara 11%, Kavango languages 10.4%, Afrikaans 9.4%, Herero languages 9.2%, Zambezi languages 4.9%, English (official) 2.3%, other African languages 1.5%, other European languages 0.7%, other 1% (2016 est.)

note: Namibia has 13 recognized national languages, including 10 indigenous African languages and 3 European languages

South Africa 36%, China 9%, India 7%, UAE 4%, USA 3% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

refugees (country of origin): 6,288 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2024)

highest point: Konigstein on Brandberg 2,573 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,141 m

0.55 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

9.4% of GDP (2021)

the NDF’s primary responsibility is defending Namibia's territorial integrity and national interests; it has participated in UN and regional peacekeeping and security missions and provides assistance to civil authorities as needed; it also participates in multinational training exercises

the NDF was created in 1990, largely from demobilized former members of the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) and the South West Africa Territorial Force (SWATF); the PLAN was the armed wing of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), while SWATF was an auxiliary of the South African Defense Force and comprised the armed forces of the former South West Africa, 1977-1989; from 1990-1995, the British military assisted with the forming and training the NDF (2025)

information varies; approximately 12,000 personnel (10,000 Army; 1,000 Navy; 1,000 Air Force) (2024)

the NDF's inventory consists of a mix of Soviet-era and some more modern systems from a variety of countries, including Brazil, China, Germany, India, and South Africa; most of the Navy's vessels and the Air Force's fighter aircraft were acquired from China; Namibia has a small defense industry that produces items such as armored personnel carriers (2024)

severe localized food insecurity: due to localized shortfalls in cereal production and rising food prices - cereal production increased in 2022 and this is expected to have a positive impact on food security, however, rising prices of basic foods is likely to limit a more substantial improvement (2022)

municipal: 70 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 10 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 201 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

municipal solid waste generated annually: 256,729 tons (1993 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 11,553 tons (2005 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4.5% (2005 est.)

particulate matter emissions: 11.81 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 4.23 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 10.4 megatons (2020 est.)

Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)

Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Orange river mouth (shared with Lesotho [s], and South Africa) - 2,092 km; Okavango (shared with Angola [s], and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

total World Heritage Sites: 2 (1 cultural, 1 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes (c); Namib Sand Sea (n)

consumption: 24,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

exports: 900 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 26,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 350 million metric tons (2023 est.)

fossil fuels: 1.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 26.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 70% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 62.297 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 23,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

1.43 (2024 est.)

33.3% (2023 est.)

0.71% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.66% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.58% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

total ports: 2 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 0

small: 2

very small: 0

ports with oil terminals: 2

key ports: Luderitz Bay, Walvis Bay

chamber name: National Assembly

number of seats: 104 (96 directly elected; 8 appointed)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 11/27/2024 to 11/30/2024

parties elected and seats per party: SWAPO Party (51); Independent Patriots of Change (IPC) (20); Affirmative Repositioning (AR) (6); Landless People's Movement (LPM) (5); Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) (5); Other (9)

percentage of women in chamber: 40.6%

expected date of next election: November 2029

chamber name: National Council

number of seats: 42 (all indirectly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

term in office: 5 years

most recent election date: 12/15/2020

percentage of women in chamber: 14.3%

expected date of next election: December 2025

note: the Council primarily reviews legislation passed and referred by the National Assembly

1.106 million (2023 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

total: 38% (2023 est.)

male: 37.4% (2023 est.)

female: 38.8% (2023 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

total: 22.8 years (2024 est.)

male: 22.1 years

female: 23.5 years

215 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

$2.956 billion (2023 est.)
$2.803 billion (2022 est.)
$2.764 billion (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

4.64% of GDP (2019 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

2.89 children born/woman (2024 est.)

19.42% (2023 est.)
19.75% (2022 est.)
20.88% (2021 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

total: 2,803,660 (2024 est.)

male: 1,377,286

female: 1,426,374

3.46 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 48,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 3.412 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

total : 824,292 sq km

land: 823,290 sq km

water: 1,002 sq km

27.17% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$29.944 billion (2023 est.)
$28.748 billion (2022 est.)
$27.288 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

259 (2025)

total: 27.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 31 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 24.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total subscriptions: 2.6 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (2022 est.)

59.1 (2015 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

5.88% (2023 est.)
6.08% (2022 est.)
3.62% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

-$1.831 billion (2023 est.)
-$1.634 billion (2022 est.)
-$1.407 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$10,100 (2023 est.)
$9,900 (2022 est.)
$9,700 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

total: 104,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2023 est.)

total: 15.1% (2020 est.)

male: 24.2% (2020 est.)

female: 6% (2020 est.)

17.2% (2016)

21.734 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

7.1 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

24.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

installed generating capacity: 646,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 3.891 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports: 169 million kWh (2023 est.)

imports: 2.917 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 747.409 million kWh (2023 est.)

total: 15 (2023)

by type: general cargo 1, other 14

13.2% (2013)

$8.283 billion (2023 est.)
$7.424 billion (2022 est.)
$6.466 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$5.691 billion (2023 est.)
$5.361 billion (2022 est.)
$4.353 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

1 (2025)

total subscriptions: 81,000 (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.)

total: 2.38 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 1.37 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 0.16 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 0.53 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total population: 65.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 64.2 years

female: 67.6 years

4.16% (2023 est.)
5.35% (2022 est.)
3.6% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

9.19% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

agriculture: 7.7% (2023 est.)

industry: 30% (2023 est.)

services: 53.4% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

0.47% of GDP (2018 est.)

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

9.6% of GDP (2021 est.)

1.72% (2024 est.)