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Mail & Guardian

Inflation

latest news & developments

Food relief, fuel squeeze

South Africa's food inflation ticked up modestly in August after months of decline, but intensifying fuel price pressures and potential El Niño drought risks threaten to squeeze…

The consumer price index decreased by 0.1% month-on-month in August, after increasing by 0.9% in July.

Food inflation edges higher after eight months of declines

South Africa's food inflation rose slightly to 1.1% in August following an eight-month downward trend, influenced by higher prices for fish, pork, and other staples.

Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago announced on Thursday that the monetary policy committee had increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7%, effective from 29 May.

Reserve Bank hikes interest rate for first time since 2023 as oil shock, inflation risks mount

South African Reserve Bank raises interest rate to 7%, warning that oil shocks, food inflation and global instability could drive prices higher

The unemployment rate has climbed again, reaching 32.7%, while youth unemployment has surged to 45.8%.

Joblessness remains a bugbear

This is what makes youth unemployment especially dangerous. A country in which nearly half of young work-seekers cannot find employment is not merely experiencing a cyclical…

Sub-Saharan Africa’s reliance on imported oil leaves countries exposed to economic shocks amid the escalating Middle East conflict.

Rising oil prices threaten African economies, new analysis warns

Sub-Saharan Africa’s reliance on imported oil leaves countries exposed to economic shocks amid the escalating Middle East conflict. Rising crude and LNG prices threaten import…

The cost of petrol will fall by more than 60 cents a litre, while diesel users will benefit from reductions of up to R1.50 a litre. . (Oupa Nkosi)

Fuel prices to fall sharply, driven by lower global oil markets

From 7 January, 93-grade unleaded petrol will decrease by 62 cents a litre while 95-grade petrol will cost 66 cents less

Hopeful: Residents of Blantyre attend a rally addressed by President Lazarus Chakwera before the 16 September election. Frustration with poor economic performance is high and a poll suggests 96% of Malawians are intending to vote. Photo: Government of Malawi

Malawi’s election is one of survival

The country has a collapsing currency and public sector, widespread hunger and corruption linked to the police, military and presidency

Imports from Brazil have been temporarily restricted as a result of an avian flu outbreak.

Food price inflation should stay at comfortable levels this year

South Africa’s food inflation rose to 4.4% in May but this is expected to be temporary

Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago announced on Thursday that the monetary policy committee had increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7%, effective from 29 May.

Reserve Bank cuts rate by 25 basis points to 7.25%

The announcement comes as the bank foresees lower global interest rates and a weaker outlook for the local economy

The South African Reserve Bank is likely to hold interest rates unchanged

Reserve Bank likely to leave interest rates unchanged on Thursday

Despite the global environment becoming less tense since the March meeting, the central bank will remain cautious, economists say

South African Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago. Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Has the Reserve Bank abandoned its economic growth mandate?

The central bank has maintained price stability but needs to focus on growth given the high unemployment rate.

Consumer inflation edged higher to April to 2.8% year-on-year from 2.7% in March, driven mainly by the housing and utilities as well as the alcoholic beverages and tobacco categories, Statistics South Africa said on Wednesday.

Inflation eases to 2.7% year-on-year in March

The South African Reserve Bank is unlikely to cut interest rates next month, because of inflationary pressures that lie ahead

Much of the US workforce is employed in export-driven industries such as vehicle manufacturing that thrive on open markets.

US protectionist turn: Why Trump’s trade policies will backfire

American consumers and workers will feel the pain induced by the tariffs imposed on countries around the world

United States President, Donald Trump. (Allison Robbert, Getty Images via AFP)

Trump’s tariffs fuel economic pain for US consumers, businesses and farmers

For an agricultural sector that depends on international markets, short-term protectionist measures offer little benefit and erode long-term competitiveness

South African Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago. Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Reserve Bank holds interest rate at 7.5%

The monetary policy committee said it remains vigilant amid risks to inflation outlook on the global and domestic front