Rwanda's urban inflation accelerates to 13.6% in June as transport and housing costs surge

Rwanda's annual urban inflation rate climbed to 13.6% in June 2026, accelerating from the 12.9% recorded in May.

The increase was driven by persistent price pressures in transport, housing, and healthcare sectors, according to the latest Consumer Price Index data released by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda.

7% in May, signaling that regional price stability remains a concern for policymakers.

The acceleration marks a continuation of the upward trend in consumer prices, with core components such as shelter and mobility costs remaining sticky.

This development underscores the ongoing challenge of managing cost-of-living increases in Kigali, where urban residents are disproportionately affected by service-sector inflation.

The data adds to a broader picture of inflationary pressures across parts of Africa.

In neighboring Ghana, annual inflation also accelerated sharply to 5.3% in June, up from 3.7% in May, signaling that regional price stability remains a concern for policymakers.