The rise in prices was primarily driven by increases in transport, food, and hospitality costs.
The report highlights that urban inflation, which is the headline index for monetary policy, saw a notable uptick, reflecting the ongoing economic dynamics.
'Urban CPI increased by 6.3 percent on an annual basis (February 2025 compared to February 2024) and by 0.7 percent on a monthly basis (February 2025 to January 2025),' the report states.
Among the key contributors to the inflation surge were transport costs, which rose by 17.4% year-on-year, and restaurant and hotel prices, which climbed by 11.6%.
The price of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 4.5%, while housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels saw a 2.9% rise.
Rural areas, however, experienced a milder price increase, with rural CPI rising by 2.2% annually and 1% on a monthly basis. This resulted in an overall national inflation rate of 3.8% year-on-year.
The NISR compiles Rwanda's CPI using price data from over 1,622 products across the country, tracking inflation trends that impact households and businesses.
With inflationary pressures persisting, policymakers and businesses will be closely monitoring economic trends in the coming months.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
