Sarb Hikes Repo Rate to 7% as Iran War Bites and El Niño Looms

Sarb hikes repo rate to 7% as Iran war bites and El Niño looms

The hike in the repo rate to 7% by the South African Reserve Bank reflects rising inflationary pressures from the war in Iran, setting the stage for financial strain on households.

SARB raises interest rate, dealing blow to South Africans in debt

The South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) elected to hike interest rates on Thursday. SARB’s MPC increased interest rates by 25 basis points. SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago confirmed that four of the six-person MPC favoured a 25 basis point hike while two preferred no change. The repo rate thus rises to 7%, while the prime lending rate increases to 10.5% – placing additional pressure on households already struggling…

Reserve Bank raises repo rate by 25 basis points amid global shocks

South Africans will face higher borrowing costs after the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) increased the repo rate by 25 basis points, pushing it to 7% and lifting the prime lending rate to 10.5%, in response to persistent inflation pressures. Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said on Thursday that the environment had deteriorated since March, noting that households are being ‘squeezed’ as inflation risks rise. Inflation climbed from 3.1% …

Reserve Banks Mpc Expected To Hike Interest Rates By 25 Basis Points : The Africa

It is widely expected that the Reserve Banks Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will increase interest rates by 25 basis points as it wraps its meeting on Thursday afternoon. This is a result of the Mi

South Africa's central bank moves early to hike rates over Iran war

South Africa lifts rate to 7%, first hike in three years

SARB Raises Repo Rate To 7%

The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7%, effective from 29 May 2026. SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago said four MPC members supported the increase, while two preferred to keep the rate unchanged. At a media briefing on Thursday, Kganyago said the committee acted because inflation risks had intensified and overlapping shocks could trigger second-round effects. He explaine…