The Central Bank of Botswana raised its benchmark interest rate by 200 basis points to 5.5% on April 30, 2026, the highest level since 2017, after keeping it unchanged at 3.5% in February and December. Policymakers said the move was aimed at strengthening policy transmission and signaling, amid heightened global economic uncertainty. Inflation rose to 4.2% in March from 4.0% in February, reaching the highest since June 2023. While still within the central bank's 3–6% target range, it is expected to exceed the upper bound in the second quarter.