Rwanda inflation rises to 12.3% in May 2026

A report released June 10 said inflation was driven mainly by higher prices for housing and utilities, food, and transport.

Prices for food and nonalcoholic beverages rose 7.6% year on year, while alcohol and tobacco increased 14.2%. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels climbed 21.8%.

Transport costs rose 28%, while restaurant and hotel prices increased 15.1%.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.6% from April to May 2026, driven mainly by a 0.9% increase in food and nonalcoholic beverage prices.

In urban areas, prices rose 12.9% in May 2026 compared with a year earlier, down slightly from 13% in April, the statistics agency said.

The increase was driven by food and nonalcoholic beverages, up 6.2%; alcohol and tobacco, up 16.1%; and housing and utilities, up 19.4%.

Health costs increased 71.6%, transport rose 24.5%, and restaurant and hotel prices climbed 16.6%.

Urban prices rose 0.5% from April to May, mainly due to higher food and transport costs. Prices of nonfood and nonenergy items increased 12% compared with May 2025.

In rural areas, prices rose 11.8% year on year in May 2026, up from 10.6% in April.

The increase was driven by food and nonalcoholic beverages, up 8.1%; alcohol and tobacco, up 13.3%; and housing and utilities, which increased 23.8%.

Transport costs jumped 39.5%, while restaurant and hotel prices rose 13.3%.

Rural prices increased 0.7% from April to May, driven mainly by a 1% rise in food and nonalcoholic beverage prices.