Rwanda’s consumer prices rise 15.7% in August 2026

NISR’s official August 2026 release puts Rwanda’s inflation rate at 15.7%. It rose from 14.5% in July. 

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI), released by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) on Thursday, September 10, shows that consumer prices increased by 15.7% in August compared with the same month last year.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages were among the biggest drivers of the increase, rising 16.3% year-on-year.

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels recorded a 20.4% increase, while transport prices rose by 24.2%.

Prices in restaurants and hotels also increased, rising 15.6% over the year.

Energy costs remained a particularly significant source of inflationary pressure.

According to NISR, energy prices were 45.4% higher in August than they were a year earlier, while fresh-product prices increased by 20.9%.

The latest figures mark a continued acceleration in inflation.

The annual rate stood at 13.6% in June before rising to 14.5% in July and then 15.7% in August.

The increase was also reflected in monthly prices.

Between July and August, the overall consumer price index rose by 1.2%, with food and non-alcoholic beverages increasing by 3.7% during the month.

Prices rose faster in rural areas than in urban centres. NISR reported that rural prices increased by 16% year-on-year in August, compared with a 15.7% increase in urban areas.

In rural areas, food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose by 16.8%, while housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased by 19.4%.

Transport costs recorded an even sharper rise of 38.8%.

In urban areas, food and non-alcoholic beverage prices increased by 16.3%, while housing and energy costs rose by 20.4%. Transport prices increased by 24.2%.

The data also show that locally produced goods experienced stronger price increases than imported goods.

Prices of local products rose by 17.4% year-on-year, compared with 10.8% for imported products.

Underlying inflation, which excludes fresh products and energy, was lower at 11.5% year-on-year, indicating that much of the current pressure is concentrated in food and energy-related categories.

Rwanda’s inflation rate rose to 15.7% in August 2026, up from 14.5% in July, as rising food, housing, energy and transport costs continued to put pressure on households.