Economy expands by N$1.7 billion

The economy expanded by N$1.7 billion year-on-year, according to gross domestic product figures released by the Namibia Statistics Agency recently.

“In real terms, activities in the first quarter of 2024 expanded by 4.7% compared to 5.3% recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2023. Year-on-year, the gross domestic product in real terms stood at N$38.9 billion, up from N$37.2 billion, reflecting an expansion of N$1.7 billion,” the NSA said.

According to the NSA, the performance is mainly attributable to primary industries, which witnessed a growth of 5.1% in real value added. “The increase in economic activities is stimulated by the mining and quarrying sector, which registered a growth of 6.6% on the backdrop of diamond production,” the NSA said.

“Furthermore, an improved performance of 4.7% in real value added in the tertiary industries were posted, compared to 1.5% growth recorded in the corresponding period,” it added.

Decrease

On the other hand, activities in the secondary industries slowed down, posting a growth of 1.5% in real value added during the period under review compared to a growth of 6.7% registered in the corresponding quarter of 2023.

“The slower performance emanated from sectors of electricity and water and construction that registered 9.8% and 3.5%, compared to 32.9% and 26.8% witnessed in the same quarter of 2023, respectively,” the NSA said.

The manufacturing sector recorded a decline of 1.4% in real value added during the first quarter of 2024, albeit an improvement when compared to a decrease of 2% reported in the first quarter of 2023.

“The poor performance in manufacturing was mainly driven by the subsector diamond cutting and polishing, which registered a decline of 44.1% during the period under review, compared to a decline of 0.4% recorded in the first quarter of 2023,” the NSA said.

“On the demand side of the account, the private final consumption expenditure accelerated by 13.4% relative to a decline of 0.6% recorded in the parallel quarter as household consumption continues to recover. In addition, government final consumption expenditure increased, posting 4.1% compared to a growth of 0.4% in the corresponding quarter of 2023,” the NSA said.