Consumer prices in Guinea-Bissau fell 0.7% year-on-year in September 2026, the lowest rate among the eight members of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), whose average was 1.3%, statistics institute INE said on October 9, according to news site e-Global. Food prices declined 3.4%, including an 11.6% fall for cereals such as rice.
Analysis: Prices were also lower year-on-year in June and July, by 1.0% and 0.3% respectively, regional central bank BCEAO data show. That leaves inflation well below the IMF's projected 2026 average of 2.5%. The 11.6% drop in cereal prices supports the IMF's June assessment that cheaper imported rice is reducing inflation. Lower food bills help households, but rice importers holding higher-cost stock risk narrower margins. INE's October data, expected around November 9, should indicate whether the declines persist.
Source: e-Global (Lisbon, Lusophone news), INE Nota de Imprensa on IHPC September 2026 (as reported by e-Global, citing Capital News), September 2026; e-Global (Lisbon, Lusophone news), INE Nota de Imprensa IHPC setembro 2026 (as reported by e-Global), September 2026; e-Global (Lisbon, Lusophone news), INE Nota de Imprensa IHPC setembro 2026 (as reported by e-Global, citing Capital News), September 2026; BCEAO, Note de conjoncture économique des pays de l'UEMOA – août 2026, June 2026 and July 2026; International Monetary Fund, IMF Country Report No. 26/140, Eleventh Review under the ECF arrangement, 2026