Namibia’s retail economy sustains strong growth into 2026
Wholesale and retail activity continued its strong growth trajectory in early 2026, adding another signal of expanding commercial and consumer activity in Namibia.
SOURCE SIGNAL
The Namibia Statistics Agency reported that the Wholesale and Retail Trade sector grew by 9.3 percent in real value added during the first quarter of 2026, compared with growth of 7.5 percent in the corresponding quarter of 2025.
This followed a 7.8 percent increase in real value added across the sector during 2025, when stronger supermarket and furniture sales contributed to sector performance.
COUNTRY IMPACT
Sustained wholesale and retail growth reflects continued activity within Namibia’s domestic commercial economy.
As business nodes, residential areas, transport corridors and employment centres develop, supporting demand can extend beyond conventional retail to convenience services, food and beverage, vehicle-related services, financial services and other day-to-day commercial activities.
RELEVANCE TO SUNGATE
Retail demand at Sungate will ultimately depend on the pace, scale and mix of development within the wider masterplan.
The national growth signal is nevertheless relevant because Sungate is planned as a mixed-use development rather than a single-purpose industrial or logistics estate. As businesses, workers, travellers and potentially residents become concentrated within the development over time, supporting retail and service requirements can emerge alongside the primary economic activity.
In that sense, retail and supporting services are not necessarily the first driver of Sungate — they can become part of the economy that develops around the activity generated there.
SOURCE
Namibia Statistics Agency — Gross Domestic Product: First Quarter 2026, 25 June 2026.