SARB
SARB (South African Reserve Bank) is the central bank of South Africa, responsible for monetary policy, financial stability and the regulation of the country's banking system. Established in 1921, it operates under the South African Reserve Bank Act and is headquartered in Pretoria. The bank's primary mandate is to protect the value of the rand in the interest of balanced and sustainable economic growth. SARB sets the repo rate, which influences borrowing costs and inflation, and targets an inflation band of 3% to 6%. It supervises commercial banks through the Prudential Authority, which was established within the bank in 2018 as part of the Twin Peaks regulatory model. SARB also manages South Africa's gold and foreign-exchange reserves, issues banknotes and coin, and operates the national payment system. The bank is governed by a board of directors and led by a governor appointed by the President. Its independence is enshrined in the Constitution, though it remains accountable to Parliament. SARB plays a central role in macroprudential oversight and coordinates with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority on financial regulation. The bank has adapted its operations to address challenges including currency volatility, capital flows and the digitalisation of payments.
SARB Updates
Kganyago signals resolve to curb inflation after rate hike 
By: Reuters 2nd June 2026 South Africa's central bank governor Lesetja Kganyago said on Tuesday that the bank would bring inflation back to its 3% target, defending last... →
South Africa must continue to pursue reform programme to maintain stability – BLSA
By: Tasneem Bulbulia 1st June 2026 The decision by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) last week to hike interest rates by 25 basis points in response to rising global inflation is... →
South African rand steady as markets digest local data
By: Reuters 29th May 2026 The South African rand was steady on Friday as markets reviewed a range of domestic data for clues on the health of Africa's most industrialised... →
Statement on SARB repo rate hike: finance capital’s assault on the working class
29th May 2026 The South African Reserve Bank’s decision to hike the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7 per cent (pushing the prime lending rate to 10.5 per cent)... →
South African rand steady ahead of economic data
By: Reuters 29th May 2026 The South African rand was little changed in early trade on Friday as investors awaited monthly data releases from the central bank, the revenue... →
Hiked repo rate will leave its mark on workers' finances
29th May 2026 UASA notes with concern the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) Monetary Policy Committee’s (MPC) decision to increase the repo rate following the... →
South African central bank raises key rate by 25 basis points
By: Reuters 28th May 2026 South Africa's central bank raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 7% on Thursday, saying the decision was aimed at managing risks and... →
South Africa poised for first rate hike since 2023 on Iran war
By: Bloomberg 28th May 2026 South Africa’s central bank is set to raise borrowing costs for the first time in three years as policymakers seek to combat inflationary pressures... →
South African rand steady as traders eye Middle East tensions
By: Reuters 27th May 2026 The South African rand was steady in early trade on Wednesday as traders cautiously assessed geopolitical developments after Iran accused the... →
South Africa’s payments regulatory framework: Third Draft of Authorisation Framework published for comment
22nd May 2026 The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has published the third version of its proposed amendment to the payments regulatory framework. The... →
