Top 10 African countries with the highest inflation rates in April 2026

Inflation pressures across African economies in 2026 remain mixed but generally elevated, largely driven by currency instability, food supply constraints, fiscal pressures, and import dependence.

According to data sourced from each country’s statistical office, while some economies are beginning to see inflation ease slightly, supported by tighter monetary policy and improved foreign exchange liquidity, others continue to face structural challenges that keep price pressures elevated.

As of April 2026, inflation levels vary widely across the continent, ranging from relatively low single-digit rates in more stable economies to hyper-elevated levels in fragile or conflict-affected states.

Where April 2026 data was unavailable, the latest official statistical release was used.

Below are the top 10 African countries with the highest inflation rates as of April 2026, and their most recent release dates.

Top 10 African countries by inflation rate 

Burundi – 8.60% (Apr 2026)

Burundi closes the list with inflation easing to 8.60%, down from 10.80%. This represents a decline of 2.20 percentage points.

The decline is driven by slight improvements in food supply conditions, reduced short-term price pressures, and stabilization in some import categories.

Sierra Leone – 10.24% (Mar 2026)

Sierra Leone continues its gradual inflation build-up, rising to 10.24% from 8.05%, a rise of 2.19 percentage points.

The increase reflects continued pressure from a weak currency, heavy reliance on imported food, and rising logistics and energy costs. The steady climb suggests that inflation is being driven more by structural weaknesses than temporary shocks.

Botswana – 10.30% (Apr 2026)

Botswana recorded one of the most significant inflation jumps, rising to 10.30% from 4.20%.

This jump is largely due to imported inflation pressures, higher fuel and transport costs, and exchange rate pass-through effects

The increase suggests a broad-based shift in price dynamics after a period of relative stability.

Rwanda – 11.50% (Apr 2026)

Rwanda experienced a sharp inflation surge, rising 3.80 percentage points to 11.50% from 7.70%.

The increase is linked to higher transport and logistics costs, stronger imported inflation, and rising food prices linked to supply constraints. This marks a clear reversal from earlier periods of relative price stability.

Angola – 11.58% (Apr 2026)

Angola recorded a decline in inflation from 12.42% to 11.58%, a reduction of 0.84 percentage points.

Key supportive factors include improved FX market stability, slower growth in import prices, and a tight monetary policy stance.

However, food inflation remains a dominant driver, accounting for a large share of household cost pressures.

Libya – 12.40% (Mar 2026)

Libya saw inflation rise from 9.00% to 12.40%

The rise is linked to FX fragmentation, parallel market activity, domestic supply disruptions, and higher import costs driven by structural instability

The 3.40 percentage point jump signals renewed macroeconomic stress.

Egypt – 14.90% (Apr 2026)

Egypt shows continued disinflation momentum, with inflation easing to 14.90% from 15.20%

The decline is supported by FX policy reforms improving import pricing stability, government interventions in food and energy markets, and easing global commodity pressures. Despite this, inflation remains elevated, especially in food-related categories.

Nigeria – 15.69% (Apr 2026)

Nigeria saw inflation edge up from 15.38% to 15.69%, an increase of 0.31 percentage points.

The uptick reflects transmission of currency depreciation into prices, elevated food prices despite seasonal relief, structural supply chain inefficiencies, and transport and energy cost pressures.

Although inflation is significantly lower than early 2025 levels, price stability remains fragile and sensitive to FX volatility.

Malawi – 23.80% (Mar 2026)

Malawi recorded a slight decline in inflation from 24.10% to 23.80%, a drop of 0.30 percentage points.

The easing is mainly due to a mild reduction in food inflation, particularly maize, alongside some stabilization in demand conditions. However, high import dependence and currency pressures continue to keep inflation elevated.

South Sudan – 58.21% (May 2025)

Based on the latest available official release, South Sudan remains the highest inflation economy in Africa by a wide margin, with inflation at 58.21% as of May 2025, reflecting extreme macroeconomic instability.

While this reflects some moderation from earlier extreme levels, inflation remains deeply entrenched due to severe currency depreciation, weak fiscal capacity, insecurity-driven supply disruptions, and heavy reliance on imported essentials such as food and fuel. Price stability remains highly vulnerable to political and security conditions.

Also worth noting is the 2024 CPI rebasing, which expanded coverage to all 10 states. While this improved data quality and coverage, it also made comparisons with earlier periods less consistent.

What you should know 

Inflation momentum is mixed across the continent, with sharp increases in Botswana and Libya, moderate disinflation in Angola, Egypt, and Burundi, and persistent high inflation in fragile economies like South Sudan.

Across the top 10 countries, inflation ranges from 58.21% in South Sudan to 8.60% in Burundi, highlighting deep structural divergence in African economies.

Currency and import dependence remain key drivers, with countries such as Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Rwanda continuing to experience inflation driven largely by exchange rate pass-through and imported inflation.

Even where inflation is easing, structural pressures such as food insecurity, weak production capacity, and FX instability continue to keep price levels elevated.