logo
Kenya central bank lowers 2026 growth forecast to 5.4%

Kenya central bank lowers 2026 growth forecast to 5.4%

Reuters11-06-2025
NAIROBI, June 11 (Reuters) - Kenya's central bank has lowered its 2026 economic growth forecast to 5.4% from a 5.6% forecast given in April, its governor Kamau Thugge said on Wednesday.
On Tuesday the Central Bank of Kenya reduced its 2025 growth forecast to 5.2% from 5.4% as it cut its benchmark lending rate (KECBIR=ECI), opens new tab for the sixth meeting in a row, saying it wanted to provide further support to the economy.
The Central Bank Rate was lowered by 25 basis points (bps) to 9.75%, whereas its previous cut was by a larger 75 bps.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

IMF board approves Zambia programme review, unlocking about $184 million
IMF board approves Zambia programme review, unlocking about $184 million

Reuters

time38 minutes ago

  • Reuters

IMF board approves Zambia programme review, unlocking about $184 million

July 25 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund said on Friday its executive board had completed a fifth review of Zambia's loan programme, unlocking another disbursement of about $184 million. The fund said the loan programme would seek to "entrench macroeconomic stability, restore debt and fiscal sustainability, enhance public governance, and foster inclusive growth" for Zambia. The copper-rich Southern African country is recovering from a severe regional drought, which curbed economic growth after years of protracted debt-restructuring negotiations. Zambia battled its way to a restructuring deal with its primary creditors last year. It has yet to agree terms with some smaller creditors including Afreximbank. Its finance ministry expects growth to pick up 5.8% this year and 6.4% in 2026. Analysts do not foresee U.S. President Donald Trump's 50% tariff on copper being a major drag on growth as exports to the U.S. are limited and volatility in the copper price is expected to be temporary.

Colombia central bank expected to cut rate after inflation dip: Reuters poll
Colombia central bank expected to cut rate after inflation dip: Reuters poll

Reuters

time6 hours ago

  • Reuters

Colombia central bank expected to cut rate after inflation dip: Reuters poll

BOGOTA, July 25 (Reuters) - Colombia's central bank will cut its benchmark interest rate next week, a Reuters poll suggested on Friday, although analysts expect the bank to act cautiously for the rest of the year due to the worsening state of the government's finances. Sixteen of 20 analysts surveyed said the bank would reduce the benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 9%, following a sharper-than-expected slowdown in inflation in June. One analyst forecast a 50-basis-point cut, while the remaining three expected the bank to hold the rate steady, as it did in June. Analysts said the decision is unlikely to be unanimous. "Our expectation (of a 25-basis-point cut) is largely explained by the downward surprise in June's inflation and its effect on expectations for the coming months," said investment firm Corfi. Consumer prices rose 0.10% in June, bringing 12-month inflation to 4.82%, below market expectations, though still well above the central bank's long-term target of 3%. Some analysts who expect a pause cited inflation that is likely to remain above the central bank's 3% target through 2025, as well as growing fiscal concerns. Latin America's fourth-largest economy is facing lower tax revenue, high debt and difficulty reducing spending. "Concern over the fiscal issue continues to increase due to both lower government revenue collection and expectations of a higher fiscal deficit," Colombian bank Davivienda said in a note. "It is also important to mention that the economy is not performing poorly in terms of growth." The central bank's meeting will take place a day after the U.S. Federal Reserve meets on July 29-30, when it is expected to hold U.S. rates steady. Meanwhile, analysts raised their year-end expectation for Colombia's benchmark rate to 8.50% from 8.25%. The forecast for the end of 2026 remains unchanged at 7%.

Brazil inflation hits 5.3%, central bank set to hold rates next week
Brazil inflation hits 5.3%, central bank set to hold rates next week

Reuters

time9 hours ago

  • Reuters

Brazil inflation hits 5.3%, central bank set to hold rates next week

SAO PAULO, July 25 (Reuters) - Brazil's inflation remained well above the central bank's target range in its mid-July reading, official data showed on Friday, as policymakers gather next week for a meeting at which they are widely expected to hold interest rates at a two-decade high. Inflation in Latin America's largest economy hit 5.30% in the 12 months through mid-July, statistics agency IBGE said, up from 5.27% a month earlier and slightly above the 5.26% expected by economists in a Reuters poll. Brazil's central bank targets inflation at 3%, plus or minus 1.5 percentage points, and policymakers have pledged to bring it back to that level. The bank delivered 450 basis points in interest rate hikes between September and June, taking the benchmark Selic rate to 15%, the highest since July 2006. It signaled last month a "very prolonged" pause to assess the effects of the hikes. "The mid-month inflation figures give policymakers no reason to consider raising rates again," said Capital Economics' emerging markets economist Kimberley Sperrfechter, who expects conditions to allow for rate cuts around the turn of the year. The central bank's rate-setting committee, known as Copom, is scheduled to meet on July 29 and 30. In the month to mid-July alone, consumer prices as measured by the IPCA-15 index rose 0.33%, up from 0.26% in the previous month. The index had been expected to rise 0.30%, according to the median forecast in a Reuters poll. The monthly increase was driven by higher housing costs as electricity prices climbed, IBGE said, as well as higher transport prices, with airfares jumping. Closely watched food and beverage prices, however, dropped for the second straight month. "Today's result will not influence Copom's decision," Inter senior economist Andre Valerio said. "It should keep interest rates unchanged, reaffirm its commitment to meeting the inflation target, and offer no indication of when it might begin a rate-cutting cycle."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store