Namibia: Everything on a Plate

Namibia: Everything on a Plate

From The Flying Frisby - money, markets and more by Dominic Frisby

April 16, 2026 · 3 min

About this episode

Dominic Frisby discusses the potential and challenges of Namibia's economy.

I’m travelling, so this week’s note will be brief. What a country Namibia is. I don’t think I’ve ever been anywhere with so much potential. But also what a mess. Official unemployment is 37%. Real unemployment is likely over 50%. Can you imagine? Per capita GDP is about $4,200. That puts it at 119th the global rankings. The countries that top the list include the likes of Luxembourg, Switzerland, Singapore, Norway, Qatar. Small populations. Either financial centres with low tax, strong rule of law and minimal corruption, or oil-rich. Strip out the statistical quirks like Ireland, where corporate domiciles distort the numbers, and the pattern becomes even clearer. With the exception of the US, they are all small, with populations under 5 million. Namibia has just 3 million people. Oil has just been discovered offshore. It is the world’s third largest uranium producer, and has an abundance of other natural resources. It’s safe. There is rule of law. It ports are good. Its roads are even better. And its location towards the south of Africa means it can easily sell into Asia, the Americas or Europe. It fits the template, in other words. I spoke at a conference here this week. There…

People in this episode

Host: Dominic Frisby

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: central bank

Places: Namibia, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Singapore, Norway, Qatar, United States, Hong Kong

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