The Bank of Botswana kept its benchmark rate steady at 5.5% on August 27, 2026, extending its pause in monetary policy after leaving rates unchanged in June. The decision keeps borrowing costs at their highest level since September 2017. The central bank judged that policy measures implemented so far had helped ease liquidity, improve policy transmission and stabilize the FX market. Policymakers said risks to the inflation outlook remained tilted to the upside, while the growth outlook remained exposed to downside risks. Botswana's annual inflation rate fell to 9.4% in July 2026 from 10.7% previously, but stayed persistently above the 3-6% medium-term objective range. The MPC expects inflation to remain above its target range through Q1 2027, mainly due to supply-side pressures from higher fuel prices, electricity tariffs and related cost-push effects. Inflation is projected to average 7.9% in 2026 before easing to 4.9% in 2027. source: Bank of Botswana

The benchmark interest rate in Botswana was last recorded at 5.50 percent. Interest Rate in Botswana averaged 9.41 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 September 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 6.00 percent in 2027 and 1.90 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
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% 5.5%
2026-08-27 10:15 AM Interest Rate Decision 5.5% 5.5% 7.5%
2026-10-29 10:15 AM Interest Rate Decision 5.5%
2026-12-03 10:15 AM Interest Rate Decision


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Banks Balance Sheet 148077.70 151040.30 BWP Million Jun 2026
Central Bank Balance Sheet 61345.60 64415.80 BWP Million Jun 2026
Foreign Exchange Reserves 4162.00 4363.00 USD Million Jun 2026
Interest Rate 5.50 5.50 percent Aug 2026
Loans to Private Sector 32146.35 33149.34 BWP Million Jun 2026
Money Supply M1 34605.30 34667.71 BWP Million Apr 2026
Money Supply M2 123149.41 117413.04 BWP Million Apr 2026


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 5.50 15.50 1.65 1976 - 2026 percent Daily

News Stream
Botswana Leaves Monetary Policy Unchanged
The Bank of Botswana kept its benchmark rate steady at 5.5% on August 27, 2026, extending its pause in monetary policy after leaving rates unchanged in June. The decision keeps borrowing costs at their highest level since September 2017. The central bank judged that policy measures implemented so far had helped ease liquidity, improve policy transmission and stabilize the FX market. Policymakers said risks to the inflation outlook remained tilted to the upside, while the growth outlook remained exposed to downside risks. Botswana's annual inflation rate fell to 9.4% in July 2026 from 10.7% previously, but stayed persistently above the 3-6% medium-term objective range. The MPC expects inflation to remain above its target range through Q1 2027, mainly due to supply-side pressures from higher fuel prices, electricity tariffs and related cost-push effects. Inflation is projected to average 7.9% in 2026 before easing to 4.9% in 2027.
2026-08-27
Bank of Botswana Keeps Bank Rate at 5.5% in June
The Bank of Botswana kept its Bank Rate at 5.5% on June 18, 2026, after a 200 basis point increase in the prior meeting, leaving borrowing costs at their highest since September 2017. Policymakers have opted for a wait-and-see stance as they assess the effects of earlier monetary tightening on inflation trends, especially in light of the recent US-Iran agreement to end their conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The latest CPI data revealed that Botswana’s inflation rate surged to 10.7% in May, marking the highest level since December 2022, driven primarily by a sharp rise in energy prices, while the core inflation rate reached 5.9%, the highest since July 2023.
2026-06-18
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