CNBC Africa

South Africa's headline consumer inflation accelerated faster than expected to 5.0 per cent annually in June, from 4.5 per cent in the previous month as price pressures continue to be driven by Middle East hostilities. The number was released by South Africa's stats agency on the eve of a widely expected interest rate decision, and it came in higher than what many analysts were predicting. Joining CNBC Africa to discuss the inflation print and predict tomorrow interest rate decision is Christelle Grobler, Macro-Economic Analyst, Standard Bank.

Trader at Access Bank say attention is focused on the sustainability of Foreign Portfolio Investors demand with the expected supply in the near term likely to keep rates relatively elevated and limit the extent of the current bond rally. On the T-bills side, the market is expected to remain active given the improved level of appetite and liquidity into the system from FAAC inflows. Oluwatomiloba Kareem, Treasury Team Member at Access Bank joins CNBC Africa for more market movements.

A fresh debate is emerging over how Nigeria should finance the fight against insecurity. The Middle Belt Forum is urging governors to abandon the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund, arguing that scarce resources would deliver greater impact if invested directly in strengthening security within their own states. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has received the report of its Special Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review on the proposed constitutional amendment seeking to create state-controlled police services. Dickson Osajie, CEO of DBreeze Protection Services joins CNBC Africa for more.

JOHANNESBURG, July 22 (Reuters) – The South African rand was steady on Wednesday after consumer inflation came in hotter than expected, while investors looked ahead to the central bank's interest rate decision.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday vowed that the U.S. will blow up an Iranian bridge or power plant — including those in the country's capital city of Tehran — every time Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

Nigeria plans to raise 729 billion naira through the second tranche of its Power Sector Multi-Instrument Issuance Programme in a bid to clear legacy debts in Nigeria’s electricity industry. According to the issuance timetable, the bond offer will open on the 3rd of August 3, close on the fourteenth and achieve funding on the 24th of next month subject to regulatory approvals. Kingsley Mafua, Associate at A02 Law joins CNBC Africa for more developments shaping Nigeria’s electricity market

Investors in Lagos real estate remain optimistic as opportunities expand across land reclamation, estate development, and building-materials merchandising. That’s according to PAC Research Latest Housing report. However, the high cost of ownership, limited access to long-term financing, and declining purchasing power are pushing many residents toward rentals, now consuming 40–60 per cent of household income, well above global affordability standards. Chinonso Nweke, Investment Research Analys at PAC Research joins CNBC Africa to unpack the report.

Analysts at Norrenberger Financial Group expect Nigeria’s equities to remain supported by corporate earnings, dividend expectations, anticipated Dangote Refinery listing, and continued interest in fundamentally strong companies. They note with the CBN signalling that policy easing will depend on a sustained decline in inflation, investors are likely to continue favouring companies with resilient earnings and strong pricing power. Abigael Adesina, Research and Insight Analyst at Norrenberger Financial Group joins CNBC Africa for more market updates.

Nigeria is pressing ahead with efforts to attract fresh investment into its upstream petroleum sector, as President Bola Tinubu approves the commencement of the 2026 oil and gas licensing round. According to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, thirty-one companies emerged winners of 37 oil and gas blocks under the 2025 Licensing Round with 13 returning to the licensing basket after failing to attract bids. Ayodele Oni, Partner at Bloomfield Law Practice joins CNBC Africa for more on these.

The South African retailers saw growth in May. This, as retail sales accelerated 2.3. per cent year-on-year. This is from, revised growth of 1.3 per cent in April. On a monthly basis; although the print edged up 0.1 per cent, it was lower than the 0.8 per cent growth in April. To give us the meat and potatoes, of the data; I am joined by Siphamandla Mkhwanazi, Senior Economist at FNB.