The recent uptrend in Namibia’s current account surplus reflects an increase in public and private savings. Tighter domestic investment rules will not reduce capital outflows. The phasing and macroeconomic impact of regulatory changes requires careful scrutiny. Market-based incentives for...

The Government of Namibia has a full equity share of four specialist or policy banking corporation. There are a large number of public nonfinancial corporations, in which the government has a part or full ownership share, including public utilities and Air Namibia, the national airline. There...

Namibia’s economic position has been reinforced since the last consultation. The government strategy of broadening the economic base and reducing unemployment while preserving a solid fiscal position is commended. Namibia has ensured that interest rate differentials with South Africa do not...

This Selected Issues paper analyzes unemployment and education in Namibia. Using the Afrobarometer Project survey data, the paper develops some stylized facts about the Namibian labor market, focusing on the link between education, earnings, and unemployment. The paper finds that unemployment...

This 2005 Article IV Consultation highlights that Namibia recorded robust real GDP growth, falling inflation, a strong external current account surplus, and continued low external indebtedness over the last two years. Real GDP grew by 6 percent in 2004, as new marine technologies prompted a...

This Selected Issues and Statistical Appendix paper analyzes the macroeconomic impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, as well as its repercussions on fiscal policy of Namibia. The paper seeks to assess the macroeconomic impact of HIV/AIDS under a successful implementation of Medium-Term Plan III (MTP...

This 2004 Article IV Consultation highlights that Namibia’s real GDP growth accelerated to an estimated 41⁄4 percent in 2004, after averaging about 3 percent during the preceding five years. Growth benefited from declining interest rates, as the Bank of Namibia took advantage of declining...

This 2008 Article IV Consultation discusses that real GDP growth in Namibia is expected to moderate to about 3 percent in 2008 from 4.1 percent in 2007, reflecting a downturn in the mining sector owing to the global economic slowdown. Executive Directors have commended the authorities’ sound...

This paper discusses key findings of the Financial System Stability Assessment for Namibia, including the Report on the Observance of Standards and Codes on Banking Supervision. The financial system of Namibia appears healthy, well-run, and resilient to plausible macroeconomic shocks. Namibia...

Namibia was negatively impacted by the 2008 global financial crisis, reversing years of strong economic performance and deteriorating both fiscal and external positions. Accordingly, the authorities have committed to undertake fiscal consolidation with a view to reduce the fiscal deficit to 2.6...