South Africa policy rate
The central bank policy rate for South Africa from the BIS dataset: the latest level, the recent changes and the daily history since 1980.
7.25%
Policy rate, BIS
as of 5 October 2026
2026-09-25
Last change
to 7.25% from 7.00%
1980
History since
13,735 daily observations
As of 2026-10-05.
The BIS often publishes several business days after a decision, so a decision after 5 October 2026 isn't in this figure yet.
Recent rate changes
| Date | New rate |
|---|---|
| 2026-09-25 | 7.25% |
| 2026-05-29 | 7.00% |
| 2025-11-21 | 6.75% |
| 2025-08-01 | 7.00% |
| 2025-05-30 | 7.25% |
| 2025-01-31 | 7.50% |
| 2024-11-22 | 7.75% |
| 2024-09-20 | 8.00% |
| 2023-05-26 | 8.25% |
| 2023-03-31 | 7.75% |
| 2023-01-27 | 7.25% |
| 2022-11-25 | 7.00% |
| 2022-09-23 | 6.25% |
| 2022-07-22 | 5.50% |
| 2022-05-20 | 4.75% |
| 2022-03-25 | 4.25% |
| 2022-01-28 | 4.00% |
| 2021-11-19 | 3.75% |
| 2020-07-24 | 3.50% |
| 2020-05-22 | 3.75% |
| 2020-04-15 | 4.25% |
| 2020-03-20 | 5.25% |
| 2020-01-17 | 6.25% |
| 2019-07-19 | 6.50% |
| 2018-11-23 | 6.75% |
What the latest data says
The latest BIS figure for the South Africa policy rate is 7.25%, as of 5 October 2026. The last change in the series was a rise of 25 basis points on 25 September 2026. The last three changes on record took the rate higher. Since 23 November 2018 it has ranged from 3.50% (24 July 2020) to 8.25% (26 May 2023).
What this data is
Policy rates for South Africa
The Bank for International Settlements maintains a single daily series of every major central bank's policy rate, on the same basis and in the same file. That's the source here. For each economy the page shows the current rate, when it last changed and by how much, and the history back to the start of the series.
Policy rates anchor short-term borrowing costs in a currency.
This page follows South Africa only. The full list and the cross-market view live on the Policy rates hub.
Source and updates
- Source
- BIS policy rate statistics (daily)
- Credit
- BIS.
- Updates
- When the BIS publishes, often several business days after a decision. Last update 2026-10-05.
- History
- 31 December 1980.
- This series
- 13,735 daily observations, 1980-12-31 to 2026-10-05.460 observations where the rate differs from the one before, since 31 December 1980.
- Get the data
- JSON API and CSV download10 requests a minute without a key, 30 with a free key from a free account.
How to read it
- Count the steps, not the basis points. A bank that has moved three times in one direction is in a cycle.
- Rate differentials between two economies are what carry trades and currency futures respond to. Pair this page with the COT currency markets.
- The last-change date tells you how long a bank has held; a long pause after a run of moves means the bank is waiting.
Analysis of what the data shows, not advice. XOOMAR does not recommend buying, selling or holding anything.
Related
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current policy rate in South Africa?
How often does this update?
How do I get this via API?
What counts as a rate change?
Data on this page is provided for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. See our editorial policy.