Namibia recorded a significant rise in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first quarter of 2025, reaching N$13.9 billion driven largely by increased activity in the oil exploration sector. This is according to the Bank of Namibia’s latest economic report.

The FDI growth marks a 28.8% increase from the final quarter of 2024 and a 14.5% rise compared to the same period last year. The central bank attributed this upward trend to fresh capital injections into oil exploration and appraisal operations, along with intercompany loans, particularly in the transport and mining industries.

However, the report also revealed a setback in other forms of investment, which saw a net outflow of N$2.6 billion. This contrasts sharply with the N$5.6 billion net inflow recorded in the previous quarter. The decrease was mainly due to local companies settling foreign trade debts and the government’s repayment of a loan to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Looking at broader trends, Namibia continues to attract long-term interest from global investors. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) reported that the country’s total stock of foreign investment reached US$10.995 billion in 2024, rising from US$9.2 billion the year before.

UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2025 also noted a surge in greenfield investment projects. Namibia drew 19 new project announcements worth US$2.2 billion in 2024, marking the highest activity since 2017. This follows greenfield project totals of US$1.2 billion in 2023 and US$576 million in 2022.

Meanwhile, Namibia’s outward FDI stock representing local companies investing abroad also grew to US$854 million, highlighting the country’s expanding economic footprint beyond its borders.