Rwanda’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 14.5 percent in July 2026, up from 13.6 percent in June, as rising energy, transport and housing costs continued to put pressure on consumers. The latest Consumer Price Index released Monday by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) shows that prices rose sharply across several key sectors of the economy compared with July last year.
Energy recorded the biggest increase, with prices rising by 44.5 percent year-on-year and 1.5 percent from June. Transport costs also remained a major source of pressure, rising 24.2 percent annually and 1.3 percent on a monthly basis.
The cost of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased by 21 percent compared with July 2025, although the category recorded a more modest monthly increase of 0.3 percent.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages, which account for a significant share of household spending, increased by 13.1 percent year-on-year. The category also recorded a 1.5 percent monthly increase, suggesting that food-price pressures remained significant during July.
Prices of fresh products rose by 16 percent annually and 1.6 percent compared with June. The figures are likely to remain prices of fresh products rose by 16 percent annually and 1.6 percent compared with June.
The figures are likely to remain closely watched by households and policymakers as continued increases in essential goods and services affect the cost of living. NISR data show that locally produced goods experienced a stronger annual price increase than imported products.
Prices of local products rose by 15.8 percent year-on-year, compared with 10.7 percent for imported products. However, imported products recorded a larger monthly increase, rising by 1.6 percent, compared with 0.7 percent for local products. Inflation remains broad-based
Prices for restaurants and hotels rose by 14.2 percent, while alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics increased by 9.8 percent.
Even after excluding fresh products and energy, the general index rose 11.4 percent year-on-year and 0.6 percent month-on-month, indicating that inflationary pressure extends beyond the most volatile components.The July figures represent a further acceleration in Rwanda’s inflation rate, which rose from 13.6 percent in June to 14.5 percent in July.
