Interest rates in South Africa today, side by side

Interest rates in South Africa start from the repo rate of 7.25%; prime is 10.75%. Enter an amount to see a year of interest at each published rate.

Example: R100,000· change a figure to see yours

A year of interest at prime

R10,750

10.75%, what banks charge their best borrowers

Repo rate 7.25%R7,250
91-day treasury bill 7.15%R7,150
364-day treasury bill 7.34%R7,340
3-month JIBAR 7.25%R7,250

Rates published by the Reserve Bank for 11 November 2026; simple interest over one year, before tax.

How this is computed

Compiled by Radif Partners · How the estimate is made

The South African Reserve Bank publishes a set of reference rates every business day. The policy rate, or repo rate, is 7.25%: it is what the Reserve Bank charges banks and the anchor of all the others. The prime lending rate, 10.75%, is what banks charge their best borrowers and the base for most bonds and car loans. ZARONIA, the overnight rate at which banks lend to each other without collateral, was 7.095% on 11 November 2026. The three-month JIBAR, used for many business loans, stood at 7.25%. The government borrowed through 91-day treasury bills at 7.15% and 364-day bills at 7.34%. On R100,000 for a year, that is R10,750 of interest at prime against R7,150 at the 91-day bill rate. Prime started 2026 at 10.25% and has risen by 0.50 points since.

Interest rates in South Africa, as published by the Reserve Bank

South African Reserve Bank, current market rates, read through its public data service. Simple interest over a year, before tax.
RateLevelDateA year on R100,000
SARB Policy Rate7.25%12 November 2026R7,250
Prime lending rate10.75%12 November 2026R10,750
Zaronia7.095%11 November 2026R7,095
Jibar - 3 months7.25%11 November 2026R7,250
Treasury bills - 91 day (tender rates)7.15%11 November 2026R7,150
Treasury bills - 364 day (tender rates)7.34%11 November 2026R7,340

The rates cluster around the repo rate, except prime, which sits 3.5 points above it. The treasury bill rates show what the market expects: when the 364-day rate is above the 91-day rate, as now (7.34% against 7.15%), investors ask a little more for lending longer, which can reflect expectations that rates will not fall soon. Read that with care: other factors move bill yields too.

What these interest rates mean for a household

For borrowers, prime is the rate that matters. On the example bond of R1,500,000 over 20 years, prime of 10.75% gives R15,228 a month; at the start of 2026, at 10.25%, it was R14,725. For savers, money market and deposit rates tend to follow the repo rate and the bill rates up and down.

Your bond today against an earlier prime

Example: a R1,500,000 bond over 20 years· change a figure to see yours

Instalment at today’s 10.75%

R15,228

+R504 a month against 10.25% on 21 November 2025

At 10.25%R14,725
Prime is the repo rate plus3.50 points
Full calculator: Prime lending rate →

Interest rates and inflation

The Reserve Bank raises its rate when it expects inflation to run above its target and lowers it when the outlook allows. Fuel prices are a visible part of that: petrol 95 went from R20.30 in March 2026 to R30.24 in November, and the two rate increases of 2026 came in May and September. The repo rate page lists every decision, and the MPC dates page the next ones.

Questions drivers ask

Tap a question to see the answer.

What is the difference between the repo rate and prime?

The repo rate, 7.25%, is set by the Reserve Bank for its loans to banks. Prime, 10.75%, is the rate banks charge their own lowest-risk customers, kept at the repo rate plus 3.5 points. Consumers borrow at prime or above; only banks deal at the repo rate.

What is ZARONIA?

The South African Rand Overnight Index Average, published by the Reserve Bank as the benchmark for overnight lending between banks. It is 7.095% on 11 November 2026, just below the repo rate. It is gradually replacing JIBAR as the reference rate in financial contracts.

Where can I invest at the treasury bill rate?

Treasury bills are sold by auction to banks and large investors. Households can reach similar returns through money market funds and some bank deposits, or lend to the government directly through RSA Retail Savings Bonds, which have their own published rates. This site does not compare products or recommend any.

Next steps

Repo rate

The Reserve Bank’s repo rate today, every change since 2023, and what the decision of 19 November does to a bond at prime.

Prime lending rate

The prime lending rate today, how it follows the repo rate, and what your bond or car instalment was at earlier rates.

Bond repayment

Your monthly bond instalment at today’s prime rate, with the effect of a 0.25% move at the next Reserve Bank decision.

MPC dates

The Reserve Bank’s next Monetary Policy Committee announcements, from 19 November 2026 through 2027, and your bond under three paths.

Central Energy Fund, Department and Reserve Bank documents behind this page (3)

Every price, levy and rate on this page was read in these documents on 13 November 2026.

Compiled by

Independent publisher of South African fuel price and interest rate calculators built on Central Energy Fund and Reserve Bank figures. Paid by no oil company, bank or lender: no commission, no affiliate link, no paid placement.

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Next month figures are estimates built from the latest Central Energy Fund data and stated assumptions; the official price is announced by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources a few days before the change. Diesel and paraffin prices are wholesale prices: your pump may charge more.