President Hifikepunye Pohamba declared a state of emergency in much of Northern Namibia on 19 March following the deaths of 90 people due to flooding.

In January, the International Monetary Fund predicted economic growth would drop by 50% in 2009, from 4% to 2% due to the global recession.

[3] President Pohamba and other members of the ruling SWAPO party led celebrations in Keetmanshoop, ǁKaras Region on 21 March 2009.

On 2 January, boxer Paulus Moses beat Yusuke Kobori of Japan to win the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title.

[5] In March, the Namibia national cricket team lost twice to Zimbabwe at Wanderers Stadium in South Africa.