With inflation remaining a significant problem throughout African economies, central banks have adopted aggressive financial tightening measures to stabilize currencies and include rising costs.
In response to information compiled by BusinessTimes, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Ghana are among the many international locations with the best Financial Coverage Charges (MPR) on the continent.
The MPR, a benchmark rate of interest for lending and borrowing, stays at elevated ranges throughout Africa, reflecting the tough trade-off between stabilizing costs and selling progress.
As of September 2025, Zimbabwe leads with a staggering 35% price, whereas Nigeria ranks second at 27%. Ghana, Angola, and others additionally characteristic prominently. These excessive charges make borrowing expensive for companies and households, additional slowing funding and consumption.
Under is a country-by-country snapshot of the High 10 African international locations with the most costly borrowing charges, alongside latest inflationary traits and coverage selections.
South Africa’s central bank left its key lending price at 7% in September, holding off from easing financial coverage additional whereas it assesses the impression of earlier price cuts.
This coverage announcement was the primary for the reason that South African Reserve Bank (SARB) stated it will purpose for the underside of its 3% to six% inflation goal vary slightly than the center, an effort to lock in low inflation.
SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago stated the results of 125 foundation factors of price cuts since September 2024 have been nonetheless filtering via in Africa’s greatest financial system.
“We need to see how that is affecting the financial system, how expectations evolve, and the way inflation dangers are resolved,” Kganyago informed a press convention.