How Emerging Market Turmoil Is Affecting Central Banks In Africa

Central banks around Africa — poised to reveal their first response to the emerging-market turmoil of the past month — are likely to usher in an end to the continent’s easing cycle.

There’s a week to go before the U.S. Federal Reserve delivers what could be its third interest-rate increase of the year.

Currency weakness from the wider market sell-off preceding that move and a pickup in inflation may persuade officials to freeze borrowing costs — and in some cases even start to talk about tightening.

Central bankers in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya are likely to keep key rates unchanged at their meetings next week. This Thursday, South African officials are seen by some economists as open to a potential hike.

Central banks around Africa — poised to reveal their first response to the emerging-market turmoil of the past month — are likely to usher in an end to the continent’s easing cycle.

There’s a week to go before the U.S. Federal Reserve delivers what could be its third interest-rate increase of the year.

Currency weakness from the wider market sell-off preceding that move and a pickup in inflation may persuade officials to freeze borrowing costs — and in some cases even start to talk about tightening.

Central bankers in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya are likely to keep key rates unchanged at their meetings next week. This Thursday, South African officials are seen by some economists as open to a potential hike.

Bloomberg