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BANK OF ZAMBIA INCREASES STATUTORY RESERVE RATIO: WHY SHOULD YOU CARE? By Dingindaba Jonah Buyoya At least once, you have most likely heard of an adjustment to the Kwacha and foreign currency statutory reserve ratio and in most cases, such technical undertakings seem too distant and not very clear as to what they entail. How an economy works can sometimes be too complicated and it is true that how all these technical issues come out may seem complex and almost as if regular citizens shouldn’t exactly be invested. As the experts do their work, we can also carry people along and explain some of these adjustments to the best of our abilities. Recently, the Bank of Zambia increased the statutory reserve ratio to 26%, that’s 9 points up from the previous 17%. The reason for this was quite clear by BoZ - a high demand in the exchange market which is reported to be contributing to the high inflation being experienced. Let’s start with understanding what this really is. Well, the minimum statutory reserve ratio is basically the smallest percentage of money that banks must keep aside from certain types of deposits, as set by BoZ. This rule ensures that banks have enough money on hand to cover withdrawals and unexpected losses, promoting financial stability. Even this explanation may seem a bit technical, so let’s focus on what the adjustment means to an ordinary person. When the reserve ratio is higher, banks can lend less money, potentially slowing down economic activity, while a lower ratio allows them to lend more, stimulating the economy. In a nutshell, this is one of the methods that Bank of Zambia uses to control the amount of money circulating in the economy and manage inflation. It is important to mention that inflation in Zambia is currently above 13%, a huge concern for government, whose objective has been keeping it at single digit. To put this conversation in context, let's use some practical examples. Let's say Mwila, a nurse, is planning to take out a loan for a car or any other investment. If the central bank increases the minimum reserve ratio, her bank might have to keep more money in reserve, reducing the amount available for loans. This could mean that she might face higher interest rates or find it harder to get approved for a loan. On the other hand, if Bank of Zambia decreases the reserve ratio, there would be more money available for her bank to lend, potentially leading to lower interest rates and making it easier for Mwila to secure a loan. So, these adjustments in the reserve ratio can affect Mwila's ability to access credit and influence the overall cost of borrowing for her. For people that don’t take out loans, this might look like Mwila’s problem and hers alone. According to the Bank of Zambia 2021 Credit Market Monitoring Report, about 20,274,655 applications for loans were received by financial lending institutions. That’s quite a number. Granted, some people make multiple applications in a bid to get approval. Despite the perception that this may be our hypothetical friend Mwila's problem, her situation can have broader implications for other people and the economy. When BoZ increases the minimum reserve ratio as they have, it becomes harder for individuals to obtain loans, potentially leading to a slowdown in consumer spending and investments. So, a reduction in spending and investments can negatively impact businesses, and this may also result in lower economic growth and job opportunities. That said, the failure of citizens to get access to cheap financing or any financing at all, makes the economy slower. Mwila's lack of money blocks the potential revenue of the people who receive the money she spends. Now, multiply Mwila by several other Mwilas. When next you hear such news, remember Mwila!

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