The urban Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key indicator of inflation, increased by 8.9 per cent in January 2026 compared to the same month last year. According to new data released by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) on February 10, prices rose by 1.3 per cent on a monthly basis compared to December 2025. ALSO READ: Consumer prices up 8% in December The annual average inflation rate between January 2025 and January 2026 stood at 7.2 per cent. Health recorded the sharpest increase, with prices rising by 71.1 per cent year-on-year, while remaining unchanged compared to December. Prices in restaurants and hotels rose by 19.2 per cent compared to January 2025 and increased by 5 per cent month-on-month. Alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics increased by 15.6 per cent annually, while remaining stable compared to December. Food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 6.3 per cent year-on-year and increased by 1.5 per cent compared to December. ALSO READ: What is behind the rise in inflation? Housing-related costs, including water, electricity, gas and other fuels, rose by 10.5 per cent annually and increased by 2 per cent month-on-month. On a monthly basis, transport prices remained stable, while they increased by 8.6 per cent year-on-year. The report further indicates that prices of local products increased by 8.7 per cent annually and rose by 1.7 per cent month-on-month. Prices of imported products increased by 9.6 per cent year-on-year and rose by 0.3 per cent compared to December. Prices of fresh produce rose by 6.4 per cent year-on-year and increased by 2.5 per cent month-on-month. Underlying inflation, which excludes fresh food and energy, stood at 8.9 per cent year-on-year and increased by 0.8 per cent compared to December 2025.
