Binge drinkers are set for a tough time ahead after finance minister Erica Shafudah’s announcement that a 6.75% increase in excise duties on the consumption of alcohol took effect come into effect on 12 March 2025.
The increase will see the cost of various alcoholic beverages increasing: a litre of sparkling wine will cost N$1.20 more, a litre of absolute 750 ml bottle of spirits will cost N$5.53 more, cigars will cost N$369.36 more per kg, fortified wine will cost 64 cents more, spirits will cost N$18.52 more per litre of absolute alcohol, and a pack of 20 cigarettes will cost N$1 more.
Other key indicators in the budget show that operational expenses will consume more than 70 percent of the total budget gazetted by the minister of finance and social grants management Erica Shafudah in parliament on Thursday.
Shafudah tabled a N$106.3 billion budget in the National Assembly, indicating an operational budget estimated at N$79.8 billion.
This has grown by 2.3% over the financial year 2024/25 mid-term estimates.
Shafudah’s appropriation bill represents a N$6 billion increase from the budget announced by her predecessor Iipumbu Shiimi.
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