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BoB interest rate hikes: Who gains and who loses?

Tough times: Interest rate hikes make loan repayments costlier PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG
Tough times: Interest rate hikes make loan repayments costlier PIC: PHATSIMO KAPENG

After raising the interest rate for the first time in 14 years on 28 April 2022, the Bank of Botswana (BoB), raised the interest rate again for the second time this year on 16 June.

In April, the BoB increased the newly introduced Monetary Policy Rate (MoPR) by 51 basis points (0.51%) from 1.14% to 1.65%.

The latest increase is 50 basis points (0.5%) and takes the MoPR to 2.15%. The MoPR is the rate at which BoB lends money to commercial banks. It affects the prime lending rate which is the rate at which commercial banks charge consumers for borrowing money. The prime lending rate is higher than the MoPR to enable banks to cover their basic profit margin.

Editor's Comment
Child protection needs more than prevailing laws

The rise in defilement and missing persons cases, particularly over the recent festive period, points not merely to a failure of policing, but to a profound and widespread societal crisis. Whilst the Police chief’s plea is rightly directed at parents, the root of this emergency runs deeper, demanding a collective response from every corner of our community. Marathe’s observations paint a picture of neglect with children left alone for...

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