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Primary, tertiary sectors drive economic growth


GROWTH in the primary and tertiary sectors was responsible for the country’s economy expanding by 2,7% in 2021, compared to a preliminary expansion of 2,4%.

This is according to Simonis Storm Securities’ analysis of the latest national accounts, released by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) yesterday.

The analysis said the expansion was primarily supported by growth in the primary sector, which grew by 6,2%, and the tertiary sector, which expanded by 1,9%.

In addition to this, the secondary sector recorded a single-digit contraction of 3,3% as opposed to double-digit contractions in prior years.

Simonis highlighted developments in the main components of the gross domestic product (GDP), which are consumption, investment, government expenditure, and net exports (exports less imports).

According to the analysis, total private consumption constituted 75,1% of GDP in 2021, making this a crucial component of economic growth in Namibia.

“Consumption spending mainly took place in the food, housing and education sectors during 2021. Given the rise in inflationary pressures experienced in 2022 for numerous reasons and tighter monetary policy (i.e. higher interest rates), we remain concerned that consumption spending will be under pressure and weigh on the economic growth outcome for 2022,” said Simonis.

The analysts said a 14,3% annual growth in gross fixed-capital formation (GFCF) was recorded in 2021, coming in higher than the 13,4% recorded in 2020. Investment activity was recorded mainly in the mining, financial services and manufacturing sectors during 2021.

“This is indicative of a recovery in demand for credit and investment activity, which we expect should be positive for 2022 as well, given that private-sector credit extension has been trending above 2021 levels year to date,” the analysts said.

According to the NSA, total government spending stood at N$73,2 billion in 2021, down by 0,3% compared to 2020’s expenditure levels.

The decline in spending was primarily due to decreases in current transfers to households and non-profit institutions serving households.

“Without the need for Covid-19 relief spending in 2022, we expect government expenditure to marginally rise from 2021 levels during 2022. Public wage increases would also lift total expenditure going forward,” said Simonis in its report.

According to the analysts, data shows that imports increased by 20,2% year on year (y/y) in 2021, compared to 2020, whereas exports decreased by 1,1% y/y in 2021, coming in lower mainly due to a decline in the metal ores category.

Namibia has recorded a trade deficit each month, averaging N$3,4 billion per month during the first half of 2022, despite a material improvement in mining production during the same time.

“We expect Namibia’s negative trade balance (net export component) to weigh on the GDP calculation during 2022. For now, we maintain our GDP growth forecast of 2,5% for 2022,” Simonis said.

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