Benin's annual consumer price inflation rose to 1.9% in September 2026 from 0.1% in August, the highest rate since September 2025, statistics agency INStaD said. Transport prices climbed 16.8% from a year earlier and energy prices rose 15.2%, while food and non-alcoholic beverage prices were almost unchanged, up 0.1%.
Analysis: Consumer prices increased 1.7% from August, driven partly by an 11.4% jump in the cost of informal fuel known as kpayo, alongside higher charcoal and onion prices. Core prices excluding fresh produce and energy rose only 0.3% on the month. That suggests the latest increase was concentrated in specific items rather than broadly distributed across the economy. Higher fuel costs can raise transport and freight expenses, although the extent of any pass-through is not yet known. INStaD's October figures, expected around November 10, will offer an early indication.
Source: Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie (INStaD), INStaD, Indice Harmonisé des Prix à la Consommation, bulletin mensuel septembre 2026 (base 2023), September 2026 and August 2026 and September 2025; Secrétariat Général du Gouvernement (SGG), Compte rendu du Conseil des Ministres du 7 octobre 2026 (SGG), 2027