WINDHOEK, April 28 (Xinhua) — Namibia’s economic recovery could be derailed by global geopolitical developments, including instability in the Middle East, a senior government official said Tuesday.
Kaire Mbuende, director general of Namibia’s National Planning Commission (NPC), made the remarks at a Sustainable Development Dialogue series held in Windhoek in partnership with the United Nations (UN) in Namibia.
Mbuende said prolonged or intensified external shocks could constrain fiscal space and reverse recent gains in macroeconomic stability and socioeconomic development.
“According to the recent report by the Namibia Statistics Agency, economic growth slowed to 1.7 percent in 2025, from 3.8 percent recorded in 2024,” he said.
The dialogue, held under the theme “Navigating Global Turbulence and Fostering Partnerships for Resilience and Sustainable Transformation in Namibia,” examined the implications of global developments for Namibia’s economy and long-term development agenda.
Mbuende said Namibia remains vulnerable to imported inflation linked to global energy markets, rising transport and logistics costs, and possible supply chain disruptions.
He said the government is pursuing measures to reinforce economic, social and environmental resilience, including achieving energy security through renewable energy, strengthening food systems and expanding social protection to shield vulnerable households from shocks.
UN Resident Coordinator in Namibia Hopolang Phororo said the dialogue provides a platform to align development transitions with Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2025-2029, ensuring coherence across policy, financing and partnerships.
“Together with the NPC, we therefore felt it was timely to convene this dialogue, to complement existing efforts, connect global analysis with national priorities, and deepen strategic reflection,” she said. ■
