Bank of Namibia reduces repo rate to 7.25%, offering relief to consumers

Bank of Namibia reduces repo rate to 7.25%, offering relief to consumers

The Bank of Namibia has announced a 25 basis point reduction in the repo rate, bringing it down to 7.25 percent. This decision follows an extensive review of domestic, regional, and global economic conditions. Speaking at the monetary policy announcement, BoN Governor Johannes !Gawaxab emphasized the need to moderate monetary restrictions due to slowing economic growth and declining inflation. "Domestic economic activity rose during the first eight months of 2024, […]

October 16, 2024 13

Business / Economics

FNB Namibia expects inflation to reach 4.7% in September

FNB Namibia expects headline inflation to increase to 4.7% year-on-year in September from 4.4% in August, mainly driven by rising food and non-alcoholic beverage prices because of the ongoing drought, while transport costs continue to decline. Core inflation is expected to slightly decrease from 3.8% in August to 3.7% in September. This small drop suggests that, even though overall inflation might temporarily rise, inflationary pressures in the economy are gradually […]

October 2, 2024 31

Business / Economics

South Africa’s central bank cuts interest rates

South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago has announced that the Monetary Policy Committee has decided to reduce the country's repo rate by 25 basis points to 8%. The announcement comes a day after SA’s inflation was reported at 4.4-percent in August, lower than the Reserve Bank's target of 4.5-percent. It is expected that the rate will also be lowered at the bank's next meeting in November.

September 19, 2024 26

Business / Economics

SA’s inflation sinks below reserve bank target

South Africa’s consumer inflation has dipped below the SA Reserve Bank's key target of 4.5%, cooling to 4.4% in August from 4.6% in July. News24 reports that this should seal the deal for an interest rate cut on Thursday. Economists expect a 25 basis-point cut following a meeting of the MPC on Thursday. Another cut of the same size is expected in November.

September 18, 2024 13

Business / Economics

Food and housing drive inflation

The annual inflation rate was 4.4% in August, down from 4.7% in August 2023. Monthly inflation increased to 0.3% from 0.2% in the previous month. Key contributors to inflation were food and non-alcoholic beverages and housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, each contributing 1%. Namibia Statistics Agency spokesperson, Mirjam Shihepo.

September 10, 2024 27

Africa

Over 31 Million Nigerians Face Acute Food Shortages Amid Security Challenges and Subsidy Removal

The Nigerian government reported that over 31.8 million Nigerians are facing acute food shortages due to ongoing security issues and the removal of fuel subsidies, according to CNBCAfrica. This figure marks a significant rise from the 18.6 million reported by the U.N. World Food Programme in late 2023. The worsening crisis has led to increased malnutrition, especially among women and children.

August 29, 2024 5

Africa

Ethiopia’s bold economic reforms target stability and growth, but they come with risks

By Tsegay Tekleselassie, Wellesley College Ethiopia’s recent macroeconomic reforms, supported by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, could have profound implications for the country and the region. The key reforms include the use of a floating exchange rate system and of interest rates as a policy tool. They were introduced just ahead of the approval of a financial package that could eventually amount to about […]

August 19, 2024 18

Business / Economics

US Inflation drops below 3% for first time in 3 years

Annual inflation in the US dipped below 3 percent in July for the first time in three years according to Labour Department Statistics. That's the lowest level it's been since March 2021, midway through the coronavirus pandemic. With more for us is Benji Hyer from Washington.

August 15, 2024 13

Namibia

Transport, housing, and food drive 4.6% inflation rate

The Namibia Statistics Agency has reported that transport, housing, water, electricity, gas, other fuels, and food and non-alcoholic beverages were the biggest contributors to the 4.6 percent annual inflation rate in July, each contributing 1.0 percentage points. NSA spokesperson Mirjam Shihepo breaks down the numbers. According to the NSA's July 2024 report, inflation rates varied by zone: Zone 2 (Khomas region) had the highest rate at 5.0%, […]

August 8, 2024 46