Mali's consumer prices rose 3.4% in the year to September 2026, up from 3.3% in August, but were unchanged month-on-month, statistics institute INSTAT said on October 10. Food and non-alcoholic drinks cost 5.8% more than a year earlier and diesel prices rose 29.9%. Core inflation, excluding fresh food and energy, was 1.5%, the agency said.
Analysis: Annual inflation has increased every month since March, when it was 0.7%, by our calculation from INSTAT's index. September's rate was the highest in at least 12 months. Core inflation of 1.5% indicates that fuel and fresh food are driving much of the rise, rather than a broader increase in prices. Cereal prices were 5.0% below a year earlier, partly offsetting other increases. Transport companies and food distributors are among the first affected. INSTAT's October inflation figures, expected around November 10, should show whether price pressures continue.
Source: Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT Mali), INSTAT Mali, IHPC note for September 2026 (base 2023), September 2026; Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT Mali), INSTAT Mali, IHPC note, August 2026 (base 2023), August 2026; Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT Mali), INSTAT Mali, IHPC note, September 2026 (base 2023), dated 10/10/2026, September 2026; Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT Mali), INSTAT Mali, IHPC note, March 2026 (base 2023), March 2026; Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT Mali), INSTAT Mali, IHPC note for September 2026, September 2026