The Namibian Stock Exchange showed mixed performance this week, with the NSX Local index edging up marginally by 0.06% to close at 718 points, while the NSX Overall Index posted a more substantial gain of 4.71%, reaching 1609.5 points. As of April 13, 2025, FirstRand Namibia maintains its position as the dominant player in the local market with a capitalization of N$12.5 billion. Capricorn Group follows closely behind at N$11.1 billion, while Mobile Telecommunications and Namibia Breweries round out the top four with market capitalizations of N$6.2 billion and N$6.0 billion respectively. Standard Bank Namibia Holdings emerged as the week’s top performer, registering a modest growth of 0.5% to close at N$10.09 per share. Mobile Telecommunications secured the second position with a slight increase of 0.1%, ending the week at N$8.25 per share. Trading activity was most vigorous in Capricorn Group shares, with N$3.9 million worth of equities changing hands. Standard Bank Namibia Holdings saw the second highest volume, with transactions totaling N$2.2 million. On the currency front, the Namibian Dollar weakened across major foreign currencies. It depreciated by 0.91% against the US Dollar to close at N$19.28, while suffering a more pronounced decline against European currencies. The local currency fell 2.44% against the British Pound to end at N$25.23, and recorded its steepest decline against the Euro, dropping 3.98% to close at N$21.77.
The annual inflation rate in Namibia showed signs of moderation in March 2025, registering at 4.2 percent, down from 4.5 percent recorded in the same month last year. Month-on-month inflation inched upward to 0.5 percent from February’s 0.4 percent, according to the latest economic data. Regional analysis reveals varying inflationary pressures across the country. Zone 3, comprising the //Kharas, Erongo, Hardap, and Omaheke regions, experienced the highest inflation rate at 4.4 percent. Zone 1, which includes Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi regions, followed closely with inflation at 4.2 percent. The capital region, Zone 2 (Khomas), recorded the lowest rate at 4.1 percent. The core inflation rate, which excludes volatile items, stood at 4.0 percent, slightly below the headline figure of 4.2 percent, suggesting underlying price stability in the economy. Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages emerged as the primary driver of inflation, contributing 1.2 percentage points to the overall rate. Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas, and Other Fuels added another 0.9 percentage points, while Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco contributed 0.8 percentage points.
