The Central Bank of Botswana raised its benchmark interest rate by 200 basis points to 5.5% on April 30, 2026, the highest level since 2017, after keeping it unchanged at 3.5% in February and December. Policymakers said the move was aimed at strengthening policy transmission and signaling, amid heightened global economic uncertainty. Inflation rose to 4.2% in March from 4.0% in February, reaching the highest since June 2023. While still within the central bank's 3–6% target range, it is expected to exceed the upper bound in the second quarter source: Bank of Botswana

The benchmark interest rate in Botswana was last recorded at 5.50 percent. Interest Rate in Botswana averaged 9.44 percent from 1976 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 15.50 percent in July of 2008 and a record low of 1.65 percent in April of 2022. This page provides - Botswana Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Botswana Interest Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.

The benchmark interest rate in Botswana was last recorded at 5.50 percent. Interest Rate in Botswana is expected to be 5.50 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Botswana Interest Rate is projected to trend around 5.50 percent in 2027 and 1.90 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-12-04 10:15 AM Interest Rate Decision 3.5% 3.5% 3.5%
2026-02-26 10:15 AM Interest Rate Decision 3.5% 3.5% 3.5%
2026-04-30 10:15 AM Interest Rate Decision 5.5% 3.5% 3.5%
2026-06-18 10:15 AM Interest Rate Decision 5.5% 5.5%
2026-08-27 10:15 AM Interest Rate Decision
2026-10-29 10:15 AM Interest Rate Decision


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Banks Balance Sheet 145294.20 147310.90 BWP Million Feb 2026
Central Bank Balance Sheet 56610.33 59843.39 BWP Million Dec 2025
Foreign Exchange Reserves 3495.00 3797.00 USD Million Dec 2025
Interest Rate 5.50 3.50 percent Apr 2026
Loans to Private Sector 32169.07 32521.39 BWP Million Feb 2026
Money Supply M1 33518.24 36236.25 BWP Million Dec 2025
Money Supply M2 118651.17 119456.29 BWP Million Dec 2025


Botswana Interest Rate
In Botswana, interest rates decisions are taken by The Bank of Botswana. The official interest rate is the Bank Rate.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
5.50 3.50 15.50 1.65 1976 - 2026 percent Daily

News Stream
Botswana Delivers Massive Rate Hike
The Central Bank of Botswana raised its benchmark interest rate by 200 basis points to 5.5% on April 30, 2026, the highest level since 2017, after keeping it unchanged at 3.5% in February and December. Policymakers said the move was aimed at strengthening policy transmission and signaling, amid heightened global economic uncertainty. Inflation rose to 4.2% in March from 4.0% in February, reaching the highest since June 2023. While still within the central bank's 3–6% target range, it is expected to exceed the upper bound in the second quarter.
2026-04-30
Botswana Keeps Policy Rate Unchanged at 3.5%
The Central Bank of Botswana left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 3.50% during its meeting held on February 26, 2026, maintaining the current stance for the second consecutive time. The decision aims to support the domestic economy amid ongoing global uncertainty, while keeping inflation within the central bank's target range of 3%-6% over the medium term. The annual inflation rate rose for the second month to 4.1% in January 2026, reaching the highest since June 2023. The MPC forecasts inflation to increase into the medium term, averaging 4.5% in 2026 and 4.7% in 2027. Meanwhile, the economy is expected to continue to operate below full capacity in the short-to-medium term. The central bank, citing Finance Ministry forecasts, said the economy is projected to contract 0.4% in 2025 due to weak diamond mining, before rebounding 3.1% in 2026 on stronger non-mining sector growth.
2026-02-26
Botswana Maintains Policy Rate at 3.5%
The Central Bank of Botswana held its benchmark interest rate steady at 3.5% during its meeting held on December 4, 2025, following a 160-bps hike in October designed to narrow the gap with commercial lending rates. The decision was aimed to support domestic economic activity in a context of heightened global uncertainty. Policymakers said the economy is expected to operate below full capacity in the short to medium term, limiting demand-driven inflation. While inflation may temporarily exceed the target range and risks remain skewed upward, it is projected to return to the target range over the medium term. The economy of Botswana plunged by 5.3% year-on-year in Q2 2025, extending the downturn into a sixth quarter, hindered by falling diamonds exports. Inflation accelerated for a third month to 3.9% in October but remained within the Bank’s 3%-6% target range. The central bank kept its inflation forecast at 2.7% for 2025 and trimmed its 2026 projection to 5.3%.
2025-12-04