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Geography, agriculture and the economy


Geography

The Republic of Namibia is a vast, sparsely populated country located in south-west Africa, bordered by Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south. On the west lies the Atlantic Ocean. Namibia has a total land area of 824,269 km² and a population estimated at 2.0 million growing at an annual rate of 1.3 per cent, one of the lowest population densities in Africa. The overwhelming majority of the population is black, 7 per cent are of mixed race and 6 per cent are white.

Deserts occupy much of the total land area. The Namib Desert stretches along the entire west coast, while the Kalahari Desert extends across the south-east border into Botswana. The landscape is dominated by a high, central, inland plateau that occupies more than half of the country’s territory.

Namibia’s climate is largely arid and semi-arid, with the exception of regions in the north-east. The coastal Namib Desert and the southern interior are the driest parts. The central inland plateau is characterized by open savannah that is suitable for livestock farming and some crop cultivation. The country is highly vulnerable to drought and desertification.

The country became independent from South Africa in 1990 after a protracted armed struggle and has since enjoyed more than a decade of stability.

Agriculture

Namibia’s environment is very fragile. Low and variable rainfall and infertile sandy soils are major obstacles to agricultural production. Only about 47 per cent of the total land area is suitable for agriculture, with less than 1 per cent categorized as arable land, and livestock and crop production fluctuate widely according to rainfall patterns. However, the country has one of the richest fishing grounds on the African continent. Agriculture contributes about 8 per cent of gross national product (GDP), and fishing about 5 per cent.

Although agriculture’s share of GDP is low, about 70 per cent of the population depends on agriculture for most or part of their livelihood, and about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture. Commercial farming, mainly cattle ranching, is largely controlled by descendants of former settlers and accounts for a major share of export earnings. The indigenous population practises farming exclusively on the communal lands concentrated in the northern regions.

Rainfed crop production is always a risky undertaking because of low and erratic rainfall patterns. At present irrigation schemes are very limited, but they are expanding. Crop cultivation, mainly of maize and millet, represents approximately 10 per cent of agricultural output.

Livestock is the main source of income, both in communal and commercial farming areas. Cattle are raised in the central and northern regions, while sheep, goat and ostrich farming are typical of the more arid southern regions. About 80 per cent of livestock production is exported, mainly to South Africa and the European Union.

Economy

Namibia is rated as a lower middle-income country. Good governance and economic management, bolstered by the country’s rich mineral resources, have made for steady growth since independence.

Economic activity is concentrated in the primary sectors of mining, large-scale livestock farming and fishing. The economy is particularly dependent on the mining industry for export earnings. Mining accounts for 8 per cent of GDP but provides more than 50 per cent of foreign exchange earnings. At present tourism is the largest contributor to GDP and the fastest growing industry in the country.

Namibia’s economy is closely tied to that of South Africa. The country’s trade policies, exchange rate and monetary policies are set within the Southern African Customs Union framework. Most of the country’s imports are from South Africa, and the majority of its exports are either destined for the South African market or transit that country.


Source: IFAD