Key African central banks set to keep high rates as buffer against shocks

Polity Audio Articles · Sep 21, 2026 · 4m

Key African central banks set to keep high rates as buffer against shocks

African central banks from South Africa to Egypt are poised to keep their interest rates high for longer, seeking to shield their economies from shocks such as surging energy prices caused by the Iran war and to support their currencies.

Of the 11 central banks due to deliver their interest-rate decisions over the next two weeks, seven are expected to hold, three hike and one is set to cut.

"Africa's monetary-policy cycle is becoming increasingly uneven," Angelika Goliger, EY Africa chief economist, said. "While earlier…