Interest rate hike fears grow as inflation hits 19-month high

SA Reserve Bank warns more interest rate hikes on the cards if inflation risks worsen

South Africa's Reserve Bank raised the repo rate 25bp to 7% (prime at 10.5%), warning up to three further hikes if Middle East-driven supply shocks push inflation above 6%. A higher-for-longer rate path through 2027 raises debt-servicing costs and compresses capex for businesses operating in the SA market.