Sign In or Register | Friday, February 7, 2025
AfricaTeam,   6/16/2024 3:05:08 PM Add AfricaTeam as a Friend   |  Send Message
Africa See Profile
Central Bank Of Kenya Monetary Policy Committee Retains Central Bank Rate (CBR) at 13.00 Percent.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
PRESS RELEASE 
MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING 
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) met on June 5, 2024, against a backdrop of an improved  global outlook for growth, continued stickiness in inflation in advanced economies, and persistent  geopolitical tensions. The MPC reviewed the outcomes of its previous decisions and measures  implemented to anchor inflationary expectations and contain exchange rate pressures.  
 
• Global growth continues to recover, supported by stronger than expected growth in the United  States, and resilient growth in some large emerging market economies, particularly India. The  main risks to the global growth outlook relate to further escalation of geopolitical tensions and  interest rates remaining higher for longer. Global inflation has moderated, but some stickiness  has persisted in the advanced economies. Food inflation has continued to decline with improved  
supply of key food items, particularly sugar and cereals. International oil prices have  moderated, due to reduced risk premium from the Middle East conflict and improved supply by  non-OPEC+ oil producers. However, freight costs have remained high on account of longer  transits by shippers to avoid possible attacks on vessels in the Red Sea. 
 
 
• Kenya’s overall inflation remained broadly unchanged at 5.1 percent in May 2024, compared to  5.0 percent in April, which is the mid-point of the target range. Food inflation stood at  6.2 percent in May compared to 5.6 percent in April, reflecting increases in prices of select  vegetables particularly onions, tomatoes, Irish potatoes, and kales (sukuma wiki), due to supply  disruptions attributed to the recent heavy rains and flooding in some parts of the country. Prices  of key non-vegetable food items, particularly maize, sugar, and wheat flour declined following  improved supply. Fuel inflation declined to 7.8 percent in May from 8.3 percent in April, partly  reflecting a downward adjustment in pump prices and lower electricity prices. Non-food  non-fuel (NFNF) inflation eased to 3.4 percent in May from 3.6 percent in April, reflecting the  impact of monetary policy measures. Overall inflation is expected to remain stable around the  mid-point of the target range in the near term, supported by the stable exchange rate, improved  food supply attributed to favorable weather conditions, stable fuel prices, and the impact of  monetary policy actions which continue to filter through the economy.  
 
 
• The recently released Economic Survey 2024 shows that the Kenyan economy recorded strong  growth in 2023, supported by robust performance of the agriculture and service sectors. Real  GDP grew by 5.6 percent from a revised growth of 4.9 percent in 2022, largely driven by the  rebound in agriculture, and robust performance of the services sector, particularly transport and  storage, financial and insurance, information and communication, accommodation and food  services, and real estate. However, growth in manufacturing and wholesale and retail trade  sectors slowed down. Leading indicators point to continued strong economic performance in  the first quarter of 2024. Despite the recent flooding in some parts of the country, the economy  is expected to remain strong in 2024, supported by the resilient services sector, robust  performance of agriculture sector, and continued implementation of Government measures to  boost economic activity across priority sectors. 
 
 
 
The May 2024 Agriculture Sector Survey shows that majority of respondents expect inflation to  either remain unchanged or decrease in the next three months, on account of expected increase  in food supply following favorable weather conditions, stability of the exchange rate, and  easing fuel prices. 
 
 
• The CEOs Survey and Market Perceptions Survey which were conducted ahead of the MPC  meeting revealed sustained optimism about business activity and economic growth prospects  for the next 12 months. The optimism was attributed to expected continued good performance  of agriculture, resilient services sectors, and a stable macroeconomic environment. Nonetheless,  respondents expressed concerns about fiscal policy measures, high interest rates, and potential  impact of geopolitical risks on the economy.  
 
 
• The current account deficit is estimated at 4.1 percent of GDP in the 12 months to April 2024,  down from 4.8 percent of GDP in a similar period of 2023, and is projected at 4.0 percent of  GDP in 2024. Goods exports increased by 2.9 percent in the 12 months to April 2024 compared  to a similar period in 2023, reflecting increased exports of agricultural commodities and  re-exports. Exports of tea and vegetables and fruits increased by 5.6 percent and 10.5 percent,  respectively, while re-exports were 38.1 percent higher in the period. Notably, exports were  15.2 percent higher in the first four months of 2024 compared to a similar period in 2023.  Goods imports declined by 7.7 percent in the 12 months to April 2024 compared to a similar  period of 2023, reflecting lower imports across all categories, except machinery and transport  equipment. However, imports were 2.2 percent higher in the first four months of 2024  compared to a similar period in 2023. Tourist arrivals improved by 27.2 percent in the  12 months to March 2024 compared to a similar period in 2023, and were 22.0 percent higher  in March 2024 compared to March 2023. Remittances increased by 11.9 percent to USD 4,457  million in the 12 months to April 2024 compared to USD 3,985 million in a similar period in  2023.  
 
 
• The CBK foreign exchange reserves, which currently stand at USD 6,979 million (3.63 months  of import cover), continue to provide adequate cover and a buffer against any short-term shocks  in the foreign exchange market.  
 
 
• The banking sector remains stable and resilient, with strong liquidity and capital adequacyratios. The ratio of gross non-performing loans (NPLs) to gross loans stood at 16.1 percentin April 2024 compared to 15.5 percent in February. Increases in NPLs were noted inthe agriculture, real estate, tourism, restaurant and hotels, trade and building and constructionsectors. Banks have continued to make adequate provisions for the NPLs. 
 
 
• Growth in commercial bank lending to the private sector stood at 6.6 percent in April 2024  compared to 7.9 percent in March, partly reflecting exchange rate valuation effects on foreign  currency denominated loans following the appreciation of the Shilling. Growth in local  currency denominated loans stood at 14.3 percent in April, with foreign currency denominated  loans which account for about 26 percent of total loans, contracting by 14.2 percent. 
 
 
• The Committee noted the ongoing implementation of the FY2023/24 Government Budget, as  well as the proposed FY2024/25 Budget, which are expected to continue to reinforce fiscal  consolidation. 
 
 
• The MPC noted that the new monetary policy implementation framework adopted on August 9, 2023 has resulted in improved functioning of the interbank market, narrower interest rate  spreads with reduced market segmentation, and improved monetary policy transmission. To  enhance the effectiveness of the monetary policy implementation framework, the MPC considered and approved a recommendation to review the width of the interest rate corridor  around the Central Bank Rate (CBR) from the current ±250 basis points to ±150 basis points. In  line with this review, the Committee also approved a recommendation to adjust the applicable  interest rate on the Discount Window from the current 400 basis points above CBR, to 300 basis points.

 
The MPC noted that its previous measures have lowered overall inflation to the mid-point of the  target range, stabilized the exchange rate, and anchored inflationary expectations. The Committee  further noted that the NFNF inflation has remained sticky in the recent months, and that interest  rates in the major economies are expected to remain higher-for-longer due to the stickiness of  inflation. The MPC concluded that the current monetary policy stance will ensure that overall  inflation remains stable around the mid-point of the target range in the near term, while ensuring  continued stability in the exchange rate. Therefore, the Committee decided to retain the Central  Bank Rate (CBR) at 13.00 percent. 
 
The MPC will closely monitor the impact of the policy measures as well as developments in the  global and domestic economy and stands ready to take further action as necessary in line with its  mandate. The Committee will meet again in August 2024. 
 
Dr. Kamau Thugge, CBS 
 
CHAIRMAN, MONETARY POLICY COMMITTEE 
June 5, 2024 
 
 

Embed Video Code:
Bookmark and Share Email Email to Friends Print Print
0
 
Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Linkedin African Music
Push
Post a New Story from your Account, then Vote for it Here by clicking Push



Most Popular
Latest Forums
Latest Polls
Links
Tags
    Nigeria    Kenya    
South Africa    Ghana    
Africa's Top 10 National Parks    The Cost of an African Safari Adventure: From Budget to Luxury    Chol Tut Nyang Emerges as Africa’s Next Supermodel in Nairobi    Egypt    Ethiopia    
Zimbabwe    Uganda    African Development Bank    Africa    Tanzania    The newly appointed members of the Board of Governors of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) were inducted in the CBL Board Room on 1 August 2024    Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Has Issued a Directive to All Nigerian Banks    Test    Kenya a Hot bed of Investments    Mosi-oa-Tunya Falls "The Smoke That Thunders"    
Media Kit | Site Map | Help | Send Feedback | Contact us | User Agreement | Privacy | About us
Copyright © 2022-2024 "Africa Updates" All rights reserved