Inflation eases to 4.2% in March 2025, regional price gaps persist
Namibia’s annual inflation rate dipped to 4.2% in March 2025, down from 4.5% a year earlier, offering a slight reprieve for consumers, the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) said.However, regional disparities remain stark, with Zone 3 recording the highest year-on-year inflation at 4.4% and the steepest prices for staples like maize meal, while Zone 2 enjoyed the lowest costs for key goods despite a modest monthly inflation uptick to 0.5%.
The zonal year-on-year inflation rates for the month of March 2025 revealed that Zone 3 (//Kharas, Erongo, Hardap, Omaheke Regions) recorded the highest rate of 4.4%; followed by Zone 1 (Kavango East, Kavango West, Kunene, Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, and Zambezi Regions) which recorded an inflation rate of 4.2% and Zone 2 (Khomas region) recorded 4.1%, according to the NSA.
“The analysis of the average retail prices for selected products for the month of March 2025 revealed that consumers in Zone 3 paid the highest price for 5kg Maize meal at N$82.19, followed by Zone 1 at N$78.66, while the lowest price of N$69.74 was paid by consumers in Zone 2,” the NSA said.
Meanwhile, consumers in Zone 1 paid the highest price for Beef stew per kg at N$108.99; followed by Zone 3 at N$106.88, and Zone 2 consumers paying the lowest price of N$100.39.