adsFrom central banks in Rwanda and Ghana recalibrating policy amid rising global uncertainty to South Africa grappling with its sharpest fuel shock in decades, policymakers across the continent are navigating a more volatile environment. At the same time, corporate Africa is confronting structural shifts ranging from AI-driven job disruption in banking to Aliko Dangote’s multi-billion-dollar push to reshape Africa’s fertiliser and food security landscape.
Here are the stories that shaped the week
Rwanda joins Botswana in defying hold trend, raises MPR to near 20-year high
National Bank of Rwanda raised its benchmark interest rate by 100 basis points to 8.25 percent, its highest level since 2009, as policymakers moved aggressively to contain rising inflation and shield the economy from mounting external shocks. The latest increase follows a 50-basis-point hike in February and reflects growing concern over persistent price pressures linked to the prolonged Middle East conflict and rising global oil prices.
Why it matters: Rwanda’s move signals a growing shift among African central banks toward tighter monetary policy as global energy shocks threaten to reverse months of easing inflation. It also highlights widening divergence in policy responses across the continent.adsads
