The Reserve Bank of Malawi cut its policy rate by 200 basis points to 24% during its March 2026 meeting, marking the first rate change in almost two years. Policymakers said the move reflects a gradual decline in inflation while maintaining a tight monetary stance aimed at steering inflation toward the medium-term target of 5%. Headline inflation dropped to 27.7% in Q4, down from 28.1% in the previous quarter, and further declined to 24.9% in January 2026, largely due to lower food prices following government measures to boost maize supply. However, non-food inflation remains elevated, driven by higher fuel and electricity costs linked to rising production and import expenses. The central bank projects economic growth to accelerate to 3.8% in 2026 from 2.7% in 2025, supported by stronger activity in agriculture, tourism, mining, and manufacturing. Authorities are also seeking a new IMF support program as public debt exceeds 90% of GDP and foreign exchange shortages persist. source: Reserve Bank of Malawi
The benchmark interest rate in Malawi was last recorded at 24 percent. Interest Rate in Malawi averaged 23.16 percent from 2001 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 75.53 percent in February of 2001 and a record low of 12.00 percent in November of 2020. This page provides - Malawi Interest Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. Malawi Interest Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.
The benchmark interest rate in Malawi was last recorded at 24 percent. Interest Rate in Malawi is expected to be 24.00 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Malawi Interest Rate is projected to trend around 20.00 percent in 2027 and 18.00 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.