Inflation Slows to 4.2% in March: International Edition

According to recent statistics released by the Namibia Statistics Agency, the yearlyheadline inflation rate for March 2025 dropped to 4.2%, a decrease from the 4.5% reported in March 2024.

However, on a month-to-month basis, the inflation rate experienced a minor increase of 0.5%, up from 0.4% recorded in February.

The NSA reported that according to the zonal year-over-year inflation rates for March, Zone 3 (comprising Kharas, Erongo, Hardap, and Omaheke regions) showed the highest increase at 4.4%, closely trailed by Zone 1 (including Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, and Otjozondjupa as well as Zambezi) with a rate of 4.2%. In contrast, Zone 2 (the Khomas region alone) had an inflation rate of 4.15%.

According to the analysis of typical retail costs for chosen items during March, as reported by the organization, residents in Zone 3 faced the steepest cost for a 5kg bag of maize meal at N$82.19. This was closely trailed by those living in Zone 1 who incurred an expense of N$78.66. Conversely, buyers from Zone 2 encountered the most favorable pricing with each unit costing only N$69.74.

At the same time, customers in Zone 1 faced the steepest cost for Beef stew at N$108.99 per kg, with those in Zone 3 paying slightly less at N$106.88. Conversely, residents in Zone 2 encountered the most affordable rate among all zones at N$100.39 per kg.

The central inflation rate stood at 4%, which is somewhat below the overall inflation rate of 4.2%.

According to the NSA, “core inflation” refers to a metric of inflation that omits specific unpredictable components from the total inflation calculation.

“These fluctuating components usually encompass food and energy prices, which often undergo considerable cost variations attributable to factors like weather patterns, geopolitical occurrences, or shifts in supply and demand,” they determined.