Namibia: Namibia's exports increased to N$12.4 billion in May 2026, driven largely by strong performance in the mining sector, according to the latest International Merchandise Trade Statistics released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA).According to Namibia Press Agency, the export value represented a 25.9% increase from April 2026 and was 6.6% higher than the corresponding month in 2025. However, the country's imports exceeded exports during the month. Imports amounted to N$15.5 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of N$3.1 billion. Despite remaining in negative territory, the trade balance improved from the N$4.4 billion deficit recorded in April 2026. The latest figures contrast with May 2025, when Namibia recorded a trade surplus of N$115 million.Mining and quarrying remained the backbone of the country's export earnings, generating N$6.6 billion and accounting for more than half of total export revenue. NSA spokesperson Iipumbu Sakaria said on Tuesday the latest figures reaffirm Namibia's relia nce on mineral exports, while China remained the country's largest export destination. "According to the data, the analysis of Namibia's top trading partners revealed that China emerged as the country's largest market for exports, while South Africa was recorded as the country's main source of imports," Sakaria said.China remained Namibia's largest export market, absorbing 25.2% of exported goods, followed by South Africa at 18.7%. Zambia accounted for 11.6% of exports, Botswana 11.1%, and Canada 4.1%. Sakaria said the country's export basket for May was "mainly composed of commodities from the mining sector such as uranium, precious stones, non-monetary gold, and nickel ores and concentrates."Uranium remained Namibia's leading export commodity, earning N$2.76 billion and accounting for 22.3% of total exports, with China serving as the principal market. Fish was the second-largest export product and the only non-mineral commodity among the top five exports, contributing N$1.4 billion, or 11.4% of total ex ports. The report noted that Spain, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo were the main destinations for Namibian fish.Diamonds generated N$1.345 billion, representing a 10.8% share of exports, while non-monetary gold contributed N$1.338 billion, also accounting for 10.8%. Nickel ores and concentrates, which were entirely re-exported, earned N$952 million, equivalent to 7.7% of total exports.