Malawi Inflation Rate Accelerates

Malawi's annual inflation rate accelerated to 24.3% in April 2026, up from 23.8% in March. This marks the highest level in three months, as non-food inflation rose to a record high of 33.2%, from 30.7% in March, due to higher petrol and diesel prices and reflecting higher costs in transports and housing and utilities. In contrast, food inflation eased to 19.1% from 20%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose declined 2.5%, reversing a 0.6% increase in the previous month.

Malawi's annual inflation rate eased to 23.8% in March 2026, marking a new lowest level since July 2022, down from 24.1% in February. Food inflation slowed, edging down to 20% from 20.8% in the previous month. In contrast, non-food inflation rose to 30.7% from 30% in February. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.6%, easing from a 3.2% increase in February.

Malawi’s annual inflation rate eased to 24.1% in February 2026, the lowest level since July 2022, down from 24.9% in January. The slowdown was largely due to food inflation, which fell to 20.8% from 22.1% in the previous month. In contrast, non-food inflation edged up to 30% from 29.8%. This increase was mainly attributed to stronger price pressures in housing and utilities, alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and transport, largely linked to higher fuel prices. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 3.2%, down from 3.7% in the previous month.