Transport Costs Remain The Biggest Driver Of Namibia's Inflation
Transport Costs Drive Namibia's Annual Inflation To 5.6%
Transport recorded the largest contribution to annual inflation in October, while regional figures showed differences in inflation rates and the average prices of selected meat products across the country.
Namibia's annual inflation rate increased to 5.6% in October 2026, up from 3.6% recorded during the same month last year, with transport remaining the largest contributor to the increase, according to the Namibia Statistics Agency's (NSA) latest Consumer Price Index bulletin.
In its October bulletin, released on Thursday, it is recorded that monthly inflation at 0.7%, compared with 0.4% in September, while core inflation stood at 3.7%, below the headline rate.
Transport recorded annual inflation of 16.5%, compared with 2.1% in October 2025, contributing 2.5 percentage points to the headline inflation rate.
The increase was reflected in the operation of personal transport equipment, where inflation rose from 1.7% to 22.7%, while public transportation services increased from 0.8% to 15.0%.
Inflation for petrol and diesel within the personal transport equipment category reached 34.1%, compared with 0.8% recorded in October last year.
The regional figures also showed differences in the rate of price increases across the country.
However, Miriam Shihepo, Communication Officer at the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), said Zone 2, comprising Khomas, recorded the highest annual inflation rate at 6.2%, followed by Zone 3, covering //Kharas, Erongo, Hardap and Omaheke, at 6.1%.
“Meanwhile, Zone 1, which is Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa and Zambezi, registered the lowest annual inflation rate at 4.6%,” Shihepo said.
Shihepo also highlighted differences in the average retail prices of selected meat products across the three zones.
“Zone 3 recorded the highest average price for beef stew at N$137.49 per kilogram, followed by Zone 1 at N$127.92 per kilogram, while Zone 2 recorded the lowest average price at N$102.96 per kilogram,” she said.
For beef mince, Zone 3 again recorded the highest average price at N$131.05 per kilogram, followed by Zone 2 at N$122.49, while Zone 1 recorded the lowest at N$116.80 per kilogram.
Meanwhile, food and non-alcoholic beverages recorded annual inflation of 4.8%, compared with 4.6% in October 2025, however housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels recorded 3.9%, down from 4.1% during the corresponding period last year.
