جنوب أفريقيا سعر الفائدة

The South African Reserve Bank kept its key repo rate unchanged at 6.75% on January 29, 2026, as widely expected, after a 25 bps rate cut in November. The decision was not unanimous, with two members favoring a 25-basis-point cut. Policymakers noted that, although the inflation outlook is improving, they aim for a further drop in inflation expectations and remain watchful of potential price pressures from electricity tariffs. Uncertainty in global politics also weighed. The SARB revised its inflation forecasts, lowering the 2026 estimate to 3.3% from 3.5%, while slightly raising the 2027 forecast to 3.2% from 3.1%. Governor Lesetja Kganyago said that inflation is expected to reach the new 3% target by 2028. The bank sees growth at an unchanged 1.4% this year and 1.9% next year. The SARB'S quarterly projection model continued to show gradual cuts, with the benchmark rate declining to 6.31% by end-2026 and 6.05% by the end of the next year.