Inflation stays elevated throughout a number of African economies, with Malawi recording the highest fee amongst the countries reviewed at 19.40% in September 2026, adopted by Rwanda at 17.20% and Libya at 16.60%.
The knowledge displays the most up-to-date accessible readings as of September 2026.
South Sudan stays excluded from the rating as a result of a comparable 2026 inflation fee couldn’t be verified from the accessible official knowledge. Madagascar is included based mostly on its May 2026 studying, the newest determine recognized in the knowledge reviewed.
Here are the 10 African countries with the highest inflation rates as of September 2026
10. Madagascar – 8.60%
Madagascar recorded an inflation fee of 8.60% in May 2026, up from 7.90% in April, representing a rise of 0.70 share factors, in accordance with the National Institute of Statistics of Madagascar (INSTAT).
The May studying marked an acceleration in worth pressures after inflation stood at 6.80% in March.
Food inflation reached 10.60% in May, highlighting the continued contribution of meals costs to the general improve in shopper costs.
9. Mauritania – 9.30%
Mauritania’s year-on-year inflation fee stood at 9.30% in September 2026, up from 8.90% in August, representing a rise of 0.40 share factors, in accordance with the National Agency of Statistics and Demography (ANSADE).
The improve got here as the nationwide shopper worth index rose by 0.6% month-on-month in September. Food and non-alcoholic drinks, housing-related prices and healthcare have been amongst the classes contributing to the month-to-month improve in shopper costs.
8. Sao Tome and Principe – 9.40%
Sao Tome and Principe recorded an inflation fee of 9.40% in August 2026, down from 9.50% in July, a decline of 0.10 share factors, in accordance with the nation’s National Institute of Statistics (INE).
Despite the slight moderation in annual inflation, shopper costs elevated by 0.8% month-on-month in August. Education recorded a very sharp month-to-month improve of 54.4%, pushed primarily by larger college registration and enrolment charges. Transport costs additionally rose by 3.5%, whereas meals and non-alcoholic beverage costs elevated by 0.5%.
7. Egypt – 12.80%
Egypt’s annual nationwide headline inflation fee rose to 12.80% in September 2026 from 12.70% in August, representing a rise of 0.10 share factors, in accordance with the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS).
The improve got here as shopper costs rose by 1.5% month-on-month, pushed primarily by a 15.1% improve in vegetable costs. Fruit costs rose by 2.6%, whereas meat and poultry costs elevated by 2.5%. The figures present that rising meals prices continued to place upward stress on the general worth index.
6. Nigeria – 14.63%
Nigeria’s headline inflation fee eased to 14.63% in September 2026 from 15.39% in August, a decline of 0.76 share factors, in accordance with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The decline prolonged the moderation in annual inflation, though meals costs continued to exert stress on households. Food inflation stood at 19.59% year-on-year in September, whereas month-on-month meals inflation fell to -1.55%, indicating that common meals costs declined throughout the month. Headline month-on-month inflation additionally slowed to 0.06% from 0.71% in August.
5. Ethiopia – 14.90%
Ethiopia’s annual inflation fee eased to 14.90% in September 2026 from 15.10% in August, representing a decline of 0.20 share factors, in accordance with the Ethiopian Statistical Service (ESS).
Food and non-alcoholic beverage inflation stood at 14.80%. However, non-food inflation remained larger at 15.10%. Prices of sugar, jam, honey and chocolate rose by 39.8% year-on-year, whereas meat costs elevated by 22%, demonstrating continued stress throughout a number of meals classes.
4. Sierra Leone – 15.66%
Sierra Leone’s inflation fee rose to fifteen.66% in August 2026 from 14.89% in July, a rise of 0.77 share factors, in accordance with Statistics Sierra Leone..
Earlier knowledge from June 2026 present further context on the nation’s price pressures. At the time, non-food inflation stood at 21.03%, whereas housing, water, electrical energy, fuel and different fuels recorded annual inflation of 81.33%. Transport inflation additionally reached 40.23%.
3. Libya – 16.60%
Libya recorded an inflation fee of 16.60% in September 2026, up from 14.30% in August, representing a rise of 2.30 share factors, based mostly on the figures from Libya’s Bureau of Statistics and Census
The improve locations Libya amongst the three countries with the highest newest accessible inflation readings in the group.
Food inflation accelerated to 21.20% in September from 16.90% in August, whereas month-on-month inflation elevated to 2.10% from 1.40%. The figures point out that rising meals costs contributed to the renewed stress on shopper costs.
2. Rwanda – 17.20%
Rwanda’s inflation fee climbed to 17.20% in September 2026 from 15.70% in August, representing a rise of 1.50 share factors, in accordance with the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).
The improve mirrored worth pressures throughout a number of main classes. Food and non-alcoholic beverage costs rose by 20.9% year-on-year, whereas transport costs elevated by 22.4%. Energy costs recorded a very sharp annual improve of 45%, whereas costs of native merchandise rose by 19.8%, in contrast with 9.7% for imported merchandise.
1. Malawi – 19.40%
Malawi recorded the highest inflation fee amongst the countries reviewed, at 19.40% in September 2026, though this was down from 20.00% in August, representing a decline of 0.60 share factors.
The moderation was pushed primarily by easing meals worth pressures. Food inflation eased to 12.5% from 13.4% in August, whereas non-food inflation declined to 31.5% from 31.8%. The National Statistical Office attributed the slowdown in annual inflation partly to a smaller improve in meals costs in contrast with the similar interval in 2025. However, larger charcoal and firewood costs continued to exert stress on non-food inflation.
Key perception
Inflation developments throughout Africa remained combined, with Malawi, Rwanda and Libya recording the highest rates on this rating. While inflation eased in Malawi, it accelerated in Rwanda and Libya, reflecting totally different worth pressures throughout the continent.
(*10*) earlier reported that Ghana’s inflation rate rose for a second consecutive month to 5.2% in September, pushed partly by larger meals costs. In South Africa, inflation increased to 4.5% from 4.4% in August, as transport inflation accelerated to 10.8% from 8.8%, partly reflecting larger gas costs.
These developments spotlight the totally different sources of worth stress throughout the continent, starting from meals costs to gas and transport prices.
