Windhoek: Alcohol lovers and smokers now have to dig deeper into their pockets following an increase of 6.75 per cent in excise duties on wine, spirits, cigars, and cigarettes. The increase has already taken effect on 12 March 2025.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Minister of Finance, Ericah Shafudah, made the announcement on Thursday while tabling the 2025/26 financial year national budget of N.dollars 106.3 billion in the National Assembly. She stated the adjustment on ‘sin taxes’ is in accordance with Article 21 of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) agreement.
The new pricing structure means sparkling wine will increase by N.dollars 1.20 per litre, fortified wine will increase by 64 cents, a bottle of 750ml absolute spirits will increase by N.dollars 5.53 per bottle, spirits will increase by N.dollars 18.52 per litre, cigars will increase by N.dollars 369.36 per kg, and a pack of 20 cigarettes will increase by N.dollars 1.04 per pack.