This marks a slight increase from the 6.3 percent annual inflation recorded in February.
The monthly inflation rate, comparing March to February 2025, stood at 1.3 percent in urban areas, which serve as the benchmark for headline inflation in the country. The annual average inflation rate over the past 12 months was reported at 5.3 percent.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages, which make up the largest share of consumer spending at 27%, contributed significantly to the rise, recording a 6.4 percent increase year-on-year and a 2.4 percent rise compared to February. Meat prices surged the most within this category, climbing 34.4 percent from March 2024.
Transport costs also played a substantial role, rising by 12 percent year-on-year, while restaurant and hotel services saw a sharp 14.1 percent jump, reflecting ongoing pressures in service and logistics sectors.
Core inflation, which excludes fresh food and energy to provide a clearer view of underlying trends, rose by 5.8 percent year-on-year and by 0.7 percent on a monthly basis. Meanwhile, the index for fresh products increased by 11.3 percent annually, while energy prices declined slightly by 1.1 percent.
In rural areas, the inflation rate was lower, at 3.9 percent annually, although monthly inflation rose by 2.2 percentâ€"faster than in urban areas.
Nationally, the overall CPI for Rwanda increased by 4.9 percent year-on-year and 1.9 percent from the previous month.
The CPI is a key measure used for monetary policy decision-making in Rwanda and tracks price changes across a basket of 1,622 goods and services in both urban and rural settings.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/business/article/rwanda-s-consumer-prices-increased-by-6-5-in-march
