Namibia central bank raised its key lending rate to 7.25%, marking the eighth consecutive rate hike and the highest level since May 2009. The bank cited the need to anchor inflation expectations, protect the currency peg with the South African rand, and avoid harming the domestic economy. Namibia’s inflation rate stood at 7.2% YoY in March, remaining unchanged from the previous month and surpassing market expectations of 6.8%.