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The 75 basis points cut to 13.50%, defies market expectations for a more modest reduction to 14.00% amid fast-falling price pressures.
The decision marks the 10th consecutive reduction since the easing cycle began in 2024 and brings the Central Bank Rate (CBR) to its lowest level since January 2023.
Egypt’s inflation rate slowed for the first time in two months in January, mirroring trends in Ghana and Kenya and strengthening expectations that the central bank may deliver another interest-rate cut later this week.
While overall conditions continued to improve, firms reported weaker gains in employment and purchasing activity, reflecting slower order inflows, a drawdown in backlogs and concerns about excess inputs.
While Egypt’s PMI fell into contractionary territory in January, S&P noted that the reading remained higher than the long-run average, indicative of a strong pace of non-oil GDP growth.
The statistics bureau said the moderation in Kenya’s inflation partly reflected base effects, following relatively higher prices during the same period last year.
While inflation remains close to target and expectations well anchored, policymakers fear a potential hike in food and energy costs could reignite price pressures.
The decision, reached at the conclusion of its 128th Monetary Policy Committee meeting on Wednesday, marks the fourth consecutive reduction, following faster-than-expected slowdown in inflationary pressures.
The move comes days after Afreximbank announced it had severed ties with Fitch, citing concerns that the agency’s methodology failed to reflect the bank’s legal mandate, treaty protections, and unique role in financing African trade and development.
The upgrade underpins expected progress on tax revenue collection and improved fiscal performance, alongside favorable terms of trade and export volumes supported by ongoing structural reforms backed by the IMF.
In 2024, the non-life insurer reported a capital base of about $2.8 million, leaving it with an estimated $7.3 million gap to close before the new thresholds take effect in July.
Analysts say transaction will serve as a litmus test of whether investors are willing to look past conflict risks and buy into the country’s long-term growth story
The Kangaroo bond, which matures in January 2031, carries a coupon of 4.6% and was priced at a margin of about 40 basis points over the Australian swap rate.
Local media reports confirm a 5% levy on all mobile airtime and data purchases effective February 8 2026, with proceeds channelled into the state’s national disaster response fund.
Officials expect the planned port expansion to significantly lift container-carrying capacity, generate operating revenues of around $500 million yearly and boost trade flows with key markets including the Middle East.
To avoid an artificial spike in December’s headline inflation, the NBS replaced the single-month reference point, set as December 2024 during last year’s rebasing, to a 12-month index reference period averaging all months of 2024.
The decision marks the bank’s first monetary move of the year, and the second consecutive rate hold, following a cut in July 2025.
The sustained slowdown marks a sharp turnaround for the West African nation, which was grappling with inflation of 23.8% as recently as December 2024 amid currency pressures.
The timing of China’s annual New Year tour coincides with worsening diplomatic relations between Africa and the US, underpinned by steep trade tariffs and foreign aid cuts.
The renewed push comes as global trade faces mounting uncertainty from protectionist policies by the US, reinforcing the need for African nations to deepen regional trade as a pathway to resilient growth.