Cairo: The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) decided Thursday to maintain the overnight deposit and lending rates, as well as the rate of the central bank's main operation, at 24 percent, 25 percent, and 24.50 percent, respectively.

According to Qatar News Agency, the CBE stated that the Monetary Policy Committee chose to keep the credit and discount rates at 24.50 percent. This decision reflects the latest economic developments and expectations since the previous meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee.

The statement pointed out that, domestically, preliminary indicators from the Central Bank of Egypt for the second quarter of 2025 show a sustained recovery in economic activity. Real GDP growth is expected to be close to the annual rate recorded in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 4.8 percent, compared to 2.4 percent in the second quarter of 2024.

The statement also highlighted that the annual headline inflation rate decreased during the second quarter of 2025 to 15.3 percent, compared to 16.5 percent in the first quarter of 2025, continuing its downward trend. This decline is attributed to largely stable monthly inflation trends, an appropriate level of monetary tightening, and the fading of previous shocks.

Furthermore, the statement detailed that both the annual headline and core inflation rates fell in June 2025 to 14.9 percent and 11.4 percent, respectively. This trend is mainly due to monthly inflation developments, with headline and core inflation recording -0.1 percent and -0.2 percent, respectively. This can be largely explained by lower food prices and stable non-food inflation.