Also known as: Sarb
Central bank that raised its policy rate by 25 basis points in August 2026 and formally introduced the Angolan kwanza to SADC settlement systems.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on South African Reserve Bank
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
Windhoek Observer
South African Reserve Bank raised policy rate by 25 basis points to 7.25% on 23 September
“The South African Reserve Bank raised its policy rate by 25 basis points to 7.25% on 23 September, while the Bank of Namibia's repo rate remained at 6.75% ahead of its next monetary policy announcement scheduled for 28 October.”
Vehicle sales reach N$1 billion as market remains below 2015 peakWindhoek Observer
South African Reserve Bank increased its repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.25% in September
“The South African Reserve Bank increased its repo rate by 25 basis points to 7.25% in September, while the Bank of Namibia is expected to raise its repo rate from 6.75% to 7% at its Monetary Policy Committee meeting scheduled for 28 October.”
Banks’ profit growth driven by lower bad-debt provisionsWindhoek Observer
South African Reserve Bank implemented a 25-basis-point rate hike
“The anticipated increase follows tightening in regional monetary policy, including a recent 25-basis-point rate hike by the South African Reserve Bank.”
The impact of expensive fuel spreads to core inflationWindhoek Observer
South African Reserve Bank is expected to implement final 25-basis-point interest rate increase before end of 2026
“Looking ahead, Simonis Storm expects the Bank of Namibia and South African Reserve Bank to each implement a final 25-basis-point interest rate increase before the end of 2026, followed by another hike in early 2027.”
Namibian bonds outperform SA amid oil shockInformanté
South African Reserve Bank raised its repo rate from 7.00% to 7.25% on 23 September
“The South African Reserve Bank subsequently raised its repo rate from 7.00% to 7.25% on 23 September.”
Namibia’s growth outlook revised down as inflation risesWindhoek Observer
South African Reserve Bank hiked repo rate to 7.25% on 23 September
“The economic research firm said the South African Reserve Bank's repo rate is now 7.25%, 50 basis points above Namibia's 6.75%, following the South African hike on 23 September.”
Simonis expects BoN to raise repo rate to 7% in OctoberInformanté
South African Reserve Bank unanimously raised policy rate by 25 basis points to 7.25% on 23 September
“On 23 September the South African Reserve Bank unanimously raised its policy rate by 25 basis points to 7.25%.”
Monthly Economic Update – September 2026Windhoek Observer
South African Reserve Bank reported Namibian investors held financial claims on South Africa worth about N$122.8 billion at end of 2024
“Namibian investors and institutions held financial claims on South Africa worth about N$122.8 billion at the end of 2024, a level that was higher than the holdings attributed to Singapore, Japan and Switzerland, according to the South African Reserve Bank.”
South Africa to pay R42.5bn in bond interest on 30 SeptemberWindhoek Observer
South African Reserve Bank operates the SADC-RTGS system
“The SADC-RTGS system, which marked 13 years of operation on 13 July 2026, processes R250.7 billion worth of transactions per month. It is operated by the South African Reserve Bank, as appointed by the SADC Committee of Central Banks Governors.”
Angolan Kwanza introduced into the SADC-RTGS systemInformanté
South African Reserve Bank increased their policy rates at their latest monetary policy meetings
“In this regard, the South African Reserve Bank, the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan increased their policy rates at their latest monetary policy meetings.”
Bank of Namibia raises lending rates to 6.75%September vehicle sales were worth approximately N$1 billion, but the market remains about 25% below 2015 levels. Rising fuel prices and anticipated interest rate increases are expected to pressure vehicle demand.
19 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
September vehicle sales were worth approximately N$1 billion, but the market remains about 25% below 2015 levels. Rising fuel prices and anticipated interest rate increases are expected to pressure vehicle demand.
19 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's major listed banks recorded divergent performances in the first half of 2026. FirstRand Namibia's profit after tax grew 9.3% to N$1.078 billion, driven by lower bad-debt provisions following loan-book clean-up and N$683 million in write-offs, while SBN Holdings boosted pre-provision profit 5.1% through 17.4% loan growth partly supported by a N$2 billion Ministry of Finance facility.
15 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Core inflation reached 4% in September 2026, its fifth consecutive monthly rise, as expensive fuel spilled into broader goods and services including air transportation, medical products, and furniture. Headline inflation climbed to 5.4%, with transport accounting for 42% of the increase following domestic fuel price and levy adjustments on 2 September and elevated international energy costs.
12 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Despite a 34% rise in Brent crude oil prices during the third quarter, Namibian government bonds recorded smaller yield increases than South African equivalents, with the GC35 rising 27 basis points compared to South Africa's 54–63 basis points. Simonis Storm Research attributed the resilience to narrowing yield premiums and concentrated demand at Namibian auctions.
7 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's economic growth outlook for 2026 has been revised down to 2.1% as rising inflation and higher interest rates pressured the economy, according to the Namibia Quarterly Economic Review compiled by the Institute for Public Policy Research. The downward revision follows weaker-than-expected growth of 1.7% in 2025, attributed to declining diamond and gold output.
7 October 2026 · Informanté →
Economic research firm Simonis Storm expects the Bank of Namibia to raise its repo rate by 25 basis points to 7% in October to protect the Namibian Dollar's peg to the South African Rand and respond to inflation at 5% in August. The firm also raised its forecast for private sector credit extension growth in Q4 2026 to 4.5%-5.5%, citing higher interest rates and declining real incomes as likely to slow credit growth.
5 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Real GDP expanded 4.8% year-on-year in the second quarter, driven by services growth of 6.1%, agriculture of 17.8%, and wholesale and retail trade of 9%, while mining contracted 3.1% with uranium down 12.0%. Headline inflation rose to 5.0% in August from 4.4% in July, with transport inflation reaching 13.2%, while the South African Reserve Bank raised its policy rate by 25 basis points.
3 October 2026 · Informanté →
South Africa's National Treasury is due to pay approximately R42.5 billion in interest on government bonds on 30 September 2026, covering fixed-rate, floating-rate and inflation-linked notes. Namibian financial institutions are heavily invested in South African financial markets, with Namibian investors and institutions holding financial claims on South Africa worth about N$122.8 billion at the end of 2024.
29 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's vehicle market is expected to maintain momentum through the remainder of 2026, with forecasts of 15,500 to 16,500 units for the full year, though rising inflation, fuel prices and vehicle running costs are creating tougher operating conditions. For 2027, sales forecasts range from 17,000 to 19,000 units if TotalEnergies' Venus project investment decision is confirmed, or 15,000 to 17,000 units if delayed.
23 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Namibia's headline inflation reached 5.0% in August, the highest in two and a half years, driven primarily by transport inflation accelerating to 13.2% after the Government reinstated fuel levies. Simonis Storm has raised its full-year inflation forecast to between 4.3% and 4.6%, citing continued pressure from rising fuel prices and international oil pressures.
17 September 2026 · Informanté →
The Bank of Namibia has lowered its 2026 economic growth forecast to 2.1%, down from its June projection and below the government's 3.1% target, citing sluggish mining, manufacturing, electricity and transport activity. The central bank held its repo rate at 6.75% in August as headline inflation plateaued at 4.4%, with foot-and-mouth disease and El Niño now identified as emerging risks.
1 September 2026 · Informanté →
Capital outflows from Namibia to South Africa fell to about N$10 billion year-to-date, down from N$18 billion in the corresponding period last year, Bank of Namibia governor Ebson Uanguta said. The central bank is monitoring the interest rate differential with South Africa, warning that a widening gap could increase capital outflows and pressure the country's foreign reserves and currency peg.
14 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The International Monetary Fund says Namibia's 1.7% economic growth in 2025 is too weak to meaningfully reduce unemployment, inequality and poverty, with growth expected to reach only 2.1% in 2026. The IMF attributes subdued performance to a narrow production base concentrated in public and extractive sectors, weak diamond production, declining gold output, and elevated fuel prices.
11 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The International Monetary Fund has raised concerns over Namibia's growing public debt in its 2026 Article IV consultation report and recommended that the government cut the wage bill, cautioning that rising debt levels and increased government financing needs could push up borrowing costs, weaken investment, and put pressure on the country's financial system.
8 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The South African Reserve Bank and Banco Nacional de Angola have formally introduced the Angolan kwanza as a settlement currency in the SADC real-time gross settlement system, which has settled transactions exclusively in South African rand since 2013. The addition aims to reduce cross-border transaction costs and supports regional financial integration efforts.
31 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Bank of Namibia increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.75%, bringing the Prime lending rate to 10.25%, citing rising global and domestic inflationary pressures and shifting monetary policy stances among major central banks.
17 June 2026 · Informanté →
Namibia's headline inflation rose to 3.1% year-on-year in April from 2.1% in March, driven by higher transport costs following fuel price increases linked to Middle East tensions. FNB Namibia warns inflationary pressures are likely to persist, with further strain dependent on geopolitical developments that could push transport and food prices higher.
3 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Headline inflation jumped to 3.1% in April from 2.1% in March, primarily driven by transport costs reflecting currency depreciation and higher global fuel prices. With the repo rate held at 6.50%, real interest rates have fallen, supporting credit demand but eroding household purchasing power.
3 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Bank of Namibia announced its repo rate will remain at 6.50% until mid-June, keeping commercial bank prime lending rates at 10%. The central bank cited weak domestic economic activity, higher inflation forecasts for 2026, and the need to maintain the Namibia dollar's peg to the South African rand in its decision.
30 May 2026 · The Namibian →
ANC veteran Tokyo Sexwale has disputed President Cyril Ramaphosa's explanation of US dollars stolen from his Phala Phala farm, calling it a "cock-and-bull story" and demanding Ramaphosa appear before the impeachment committee. Ramaphosa has said the cash was proceeds from cattle and game sales to a Sudanese businessman and was left at the farm to secure future purchases before being stolen.
24 May 2026 · The Namibian →
FNB Namibia expects the central bank to keep the repo rate mostly unchanged in 2026 as inflation risks, weak economic growth, and exchange rate volatility pressure the economy, with the need to protect the currency peg and maintain import cover limiting scope for interest rate cuts despite mining inflows.
8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Bank of Namibia has announced the repo rate will remain unchanged at 6.50% until mid-June, keeping commercial banks' prime lending rates at 10%. The central bank says the stance is necessary to safeguard the Namibia dollar's peg to the South African rand, citing weak domestic economic activity and higher inflation forecasts for 2026.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Bank of Namibia and South African Reserve Bank have signed a revised Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen institutional cooperation on central banking functions, supervision, regulation, and resolution planning of cross-border financial institutions. The agreement establishes a formal framework for collaboration on financial stability, monetary coordination, and capacity-building while protecting the statutory independence of both institutions.
5 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Bank of Namibia and the South African Reserve Bank signed a revised agreement to enhance cross-border cooperation, financial stability, and supervisory coordination. The updated accord replaces a 2015 agreement and establishes a framework for central banking cooperation while maintaining both institutions' statutory independence.
4 March 2026 · The Namibian →
South Africa's acting police minister confirmed that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate's report into a 2020 burglary at President Ramaphosa's farm has been declassified but remains inaccessible to the public, available only through formal legal channels under the Promotion of Access to Information Act. The report originally investigated allegations that VIP protection officers conducted questionable searches in Namibia following the theft of US dollars at the president's Limpopo property.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The Bank of Namibia is scheduled to announce its repo rate decision today, with most economists expecting it to hold the rate at 6.50% to maintain the 25 basis point differential with South Africa and support currency stability amid low inflation and weak economic growth. Some analysts argue there is room for a cut given inflation below 3%, healthy foreign exchange reserves, and subdued credit extension, though others warn that cutting risks capital outflow and higher household debt.
18 February 2026 · New Era →