Rwanda’s inflation rate increased 3.45 per cent in February compared to 2.43 per cent in January, the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda Consumer Price Index (CPI) monthly report for February indicates. 

The statistics body attributed the increase to rising food and non-alcoholic beverage prices that rose 4.98 per cent, restaurants and hotels 10.17 per cent and education 7.07 per cent during the month. 

Oscar Sibomana, the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda principal statistician, said CPI went up by 1.19 per cent in February, pushed by an increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages of 2.59 per cent and restaurants and hotels which experienced a rise of 1.91 per cent.

The annual average inflation rate was at 3.8 per cent, while the underlying inflation rate (excluding fresh food and energy) increased by 0.30 per cent month-on-month, and increased by 2.76 per cent on annual change. 

Annual average underlying inflation rate dropped marginally to 3.6 per cent in February, down from 3.8 per cent the previous month.