SA central bank cuts its benchmark interest rate

South Africa's central bank cut its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2020 on Thursday, joining other nations in reducing borrowing costs as inflation eases.

Central banks worldwide hiked rates after inflation soared in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but many have started to cut them.

The US Federal Reserve cut its key rate by 0.50% points on Wednesday, also its first reduction in four years. Central banks in Europe started reducing their rates earlier this year.

South Africa's Reserve Bank reduced its repo rate by a quarter point to 8.0%, ending a long upward streak that began in November 2021.

'Moving in the right direction'

Inflation fell to 4.4% in August, falling below the midpoint of the bank's target range of 3 to 6%.

South African Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago said inflationary expectations were "moving – slowly – in the right direction."

He said that confidence in South Africa's economy had improved, especially as the country has curtailed the rolling blackouts that have plagued the country for years.

"For the medium term, our growth projections have once again edged higher," he said.

'Moving towards neutral'

"The upgraded forecast is premised on better-functioning network industries, especially electricity, alongside broader reform momentum."

But he added that growth forecasts remained relatively low, at around 2%.

Monetary policymakers had considered an even larger half-point cut, but decided to remain cautious.

"The forecast sees rates moving towards neutral next year, stabilising slightly above 7%," he added.