Rwanda Inflation Jumps to 17.2% as Food Prices Rise
Rwanda's urban inflation rose to 17.2% in September from 15.7% in August, official data show, as food prices jumped 5.3% in a single month. The post Rwanda Inflation Jumps to 17.2% as Food Prices Rise appeared first on The Rio Times .
Rwanda's inflation surged to 17.2% in September, with soaring food prices leading the charge. Food and non-alcoholic beverages saw a 5.3% monthly increase and a 20.9% year-over-year jump, with vegetables experiencing the steepest price rise at 35.1% compared to a year ago. Urban prices surged 2.7% over the month, the fastest monthly rise since April, when they climbed 4.7%.
The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) reported that food carries a 27% weight in the urban basket, making its price fluctuations immediately impact the overall inflation rate. Other categories like transport, housing, and restaurants also saw significant price hikes, with transport prices jumping 22.4% over the year and hotel prices rising 18.9% annually.
The rural inflation rate of 22% in September marked a 6.5% increase compared to August. Despite the sharp rise, underlying inflation, excluding food and energy, remained at 11.4% year-over-year and 1.3% monthly. The central bank, the National Bank of Rwanda, had already raised its key interest rate to 8.75% in August, and economists projected a 13.1% inflation rate for 2026 and 7.9% for 2027.
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