Zimbabwe's inflation rises to 2,8%

Zimbabwe's year-on-year inflation rose to 2.8% in April 2026, up from 2% in March, driven largely by rising import costs linked to global market disruptions, including tensions in the Middle East affecting energy prices.

The figures were released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat), which said inflationary pressures increased across both annual and monthly measures.

"The weighted year-on-year inflation rate for April 2026, as measured by the all-items Weighted Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 2.8%, gaining 0.8 percentage points on the March 2026 rate of 2%," Zimstat said.

The agency also reported that month-on-month inflation rose to 1.1% in April, up from 0.4% in March, indicating a gradual increase in short-term price pressures.

Economists say global developments, particularly uncertainty surrounding Iran and fears of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, have contributed to rising oil prices. These developments have fed into transport and food costs, which were the main drivers of inflation locally.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that ongoing geopolitical tensions are increasing global inflation risks, particularly through higher energy and food prices, and could force central banks to maintain higher interest rates for longer periods.

In Zimbabwe, inflation measured in Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG) terms also rose, with year-on-year inflation reaching 4.8% in April, up from 4.4% in March.

Zimstat noted that price increases were most pronounced in the Transport category, followed by Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, reflecting the direct impact of fuel and imported goods costs on household budgets.

The Total Consumption Poverty Line for one person was recorded at ZWG 1,329.07 in April 2026, while the Food Poverty Line stood at ZWG 909.72, representing the minimum required to meet basic caloric needs.

Regionally, Matabeleland South recorded the highest annual inflation rate at 10.7%, followed by Mashonaland East at 7.2%, highlighting uneven price pressures across provinces.

The latest data underscores the continued sensitivity of Zimbabwe's inflation trajectory to global energy markets and import dependency, even as overall inflation remains relatively contained compared to previous years.