Motorists in line for a R1.10 petrol cut in July
Falling oil prices and a steady rand point to relief at the pumps next month, even as the Treasury restores the full fuel levy.
Economy
Growth, inflation, jobs, the Reserve Bank and the forces shaping South Africa’s economy.
Business lobby questions the Reserve Bank's rate hike
Sacci says the Reserve Bank's 25-basis-point hike to 7% is hard to justify in a stagnant economy, though economists back the pre-emptive move.
Big story
SA's two-speed economy: mining surges as factories slip
Mining output jumped 8.2% in April while manufacturing fell 2.9%, laying bare an uneven South African recovery.
Gold rush: SA posts its biggest current account surplus in over four years
Surging gold exports pushed South Africa's current account surplus to 2.4% of GDP in the first quarter — the largest in more than four years.
Petrol price relief of over R1 per litre on the cards for July
Strong fuel over-recoveries, softer oil after the Iran-Israel ceasefire and a resilient rand point to petrol falling around R1.10 a litre in July — even with the full fuel levy back.
SA economy springs a surprise as GDP beats the forecasts
South Africa's economy grew a stronger-than-expected 0.5% in the first quarter, lifting the rand — though the figures predate the oil shock now rippling through the economy.
Fitch Hands South Africa Its First Credit Upgrade in 21 Years
Fitch has lifted South Africa's sovereign rating to BB, the first upgrade in nearly 21 years, rewarding years of hard-won fiscal discipline.
Unemployment Epidemic
The economy shed 345,000 jobs in Q1 2026, pushing official unemployment to 32.7% — 8.1 million people — and the expanded rate to 43.7%. The numbers behind the crisis, and where the pressure is worst.
SA Becomes World's Largest Citrus Exporter
South Africa shipped 2.9 million tonnes of citrus in 2025 — overtaking Spain as the world's largest exporter by volume. How agriculture quietly became one of SA's export heavyweights.
Reserve Bank holds at 7.25%.
The MPC voted 3–2 to hold the repo rate at 7.25% — a third straight hold, fully priced in. Hawkish language, neutral substance: what Kganyago's wording signals about cuts.