…Higher fuel costs linked to Middle East tensions reverse last year’s disinflation trend
Africa’s battle against inflation is showing signs of reversing, with several of the continent’s largest economies recording faster consumer price growth in the first half of 2026, after a year of easing inflation. This is due to higher fuel costs stemming from the Iran conflict, which are rippling through transport, food, and household expenses.
A BusinessDay analysis of the latest inflation data from the statistical agencies of 10 major African economies shows that all recorded higher inflation in the first six months of the year than during the same period in 2025, marking a sharp reversal from last year when price pressures broadly eased.
Ethiopia recorded the largest increase, with inflation rising by 4.1 percentage points, followed by Egypt (2.4 percentage points), Kenya (2.0 percentage points) and Ghana (1.5 percentage points). The remaining six economies also posted
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