Rwanda Inflation Rate Hits 8-Month Low of 4.1%

Rwanda's overall inflation rate accelerated for the first time in six months to 5.2% in December 2025, up from November’s nine-month low of 5.1%. It marked the highest inflation rate since September, driven by a rebound in food prices (1.0% vs -1.1% in November), after posting the first deflation in a year, with a sharp increase in bread & cereals (10.8%) and meat (17.2%). At the same time, faster price growth was seen in some categories, including alcoholic beverages & tobacco (15.1% vs 14.4%), housing & utilities (4.9% vs 4.5%), transport (7.8% vs 7.6%), and healthcare (63.6% vs 62.9%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell by 0.6% in December, after edging down 0.1% in the prior month, marking the steepest monthly decline in five months.

Rwanda's overall inflation rate decelerated for the fourth month to 4.1% in October 2025, the lowest since February, compared to October's 5.1%. The heavyweight food & non-alcoholic beverages index fell by 1.1%, marking the first decrease in a year, after a 1% rise in October, with vegetable prices dropping more sharply (-10.2% vs -7%). In the meantime, price-growth slowed a bit for some categories, including alcoholic beverages & tobacco (14.4% vs 15%); clothing & footwear (5.3% vs 5.4%) and housing & utilities (4.5% vs 4.8%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices edged down by 0.1% in November, after rising by 1% in the prior month.

Rwanda's overall inflation rate fell to a seven-month low of 5.1% in October 2025, down from 6.2% in September, marking the fourth consecutive month of slowdown. Price growth moderated mostly for food & non-alcoholic beverages (1% vs 4% in September), prompted by a faster decline in prices of vegetables (-7% vs -3%); and communications (2.1% vs 17.6%). On the other hand, prices accelerated for other CPI items, including alcoholic beverages & tobacco (15% vs 12.3%); housing & utilities (4.8% vs 2.7%); furnishings & household equipment (6.8% vs 6.3%); health (62.7% vs 62.5%); restaurants & hotels (18.1% vs 17.1%). On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 1%, after a 1.3% increase in the prior month.