It serves as a key indicator of an economy’s performance and for evaluating the results of a country’s monetary and fiscal policy. The Interim Consumer Price Index for Windhoek was introduced in January 1993 with the prices collected only in Windhoek area. The first CPI produced by the Central Bureau of Statistics had December 1992 as a base period. It replaced the RSA based index that had been running since1975 and was a part of the statistical program inherited at Independence.

Over the years, the interim index proved to be obsolete. It was necessary to bring it in line with the UN recommendations on official statistics and International Labour Office standards, Ngatjizeko said. With globalisation, there was greater demand for statistical data of a high quality that consistent among countries. The new Index shows comparable price levels, expenditure values and informs national policy makers, economists, researchers and international organisations.