October 22, 2025.

For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost.

Making headlines:

South Africa inflation edges up but economists see more rate cuts soon

Nersa extends submission deadline for market inquiry into fixed, capacity charges in the electricity sector

And, Africa has opportunity to develop greater trade-based economies, panel finds

South Africa's headline inflation rate edged up in September, but the increase was smaller than expected and economists said they thought the central bank could restart interest rate cuts soon.

Headline consumer inflation quickened to 3.4% in annual terms from 3.3% in August, below the median forecast of 3.5% in a Reuters poll.

A breakdown by Statistics South Africa showed the main drivers of the marginally higher rate were housing and utilities and food and non-alcoholic beverages, which both came in at 4.5% year-on-year last month.

Analysts said the inflation rate could continue to rise modestly in the remainder of 2025, but not to the extent the central bank will be worried.

A stronger rand exchange rate, falling inflation expectations and a sluggish economy could all encourage the South African Reserve Bank to ease monetary policy further, they say.

The Reserve Bank has already delivered three interest rate cuts this year, but it paused at its last policy meeting in September to assess the impact of previous cuts.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa has extended the deadline for written submissions and supporting evidence as part of the market inquiry into fixed charges, the generation capacity charge and other related charges levied by electricity distributors, including State-owned utility Eskom and municipalities, to November 8.

The regulator explains that the market inquiry, launched following the publication of the Terms of Reference on September 25, is being undertaken in terms of the Electricity Regulation Act.

Nersa notes that it seeks to assess the formulation, application and impact of fixed and capacity-based charges across the electricity distribution sector, particularly where these have resulted in increases exceeding the approved 12.74% tariff adjustment for Eskom.

Nersa full-time regulator member responsible for electricity regulation Nomfundo Maseti said the extension is granted on the understanding that it will not compromise the quality or thoroughness of stakeholder submissions, while ensuring the process remains on schedule for the timely delivery of findings and recommendations.

African countries are seeing a measurable improvement in trade with other African countries, as well as in exports abroad, although challenges around the viability and competitiveness of new industries, and logistics infrastructure, still need to be overcome.

However, with the turmoil taking place in global trade systems leading to changes in where manufacturing takes place, Africa is in a position to become a market that facilitates and grows trade and capitalises on the opportunities presented by the changes in trade tariff structures.

This was the message of speakers participating in the 'The Role of Economic Zones as Catalysts for Regional Growth and Global Connectivity' panel discussion hosted by news agency CNBC Africa.

African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat trade in goods and competition director Mohamed Ali said the Secretariat had observed a change on the ground since the implementation of the free trade agreement in 2022, albeit from a low base, with more trade taking place among countries in Africa as tracked by the organisation in 2024.

The African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat's figures excluded regional trade, he noted.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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