Rwanda’s inflation increased to 7.52 per cent in August 2011 from 7.14 per cent in the previous month, driven by an increase in the cost of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, according to the National Institute of Rwanda (NISR).

"The underlying inflation rate, which excludes fresh food and energy increased by 0.72 per cent if compared to the previous month and increased by 8.15 per cent on annual change. The annual average underlying inflation rate is + 3.0 per cent in August 2011 up from the previous month’s 2.4 per cent,” the institute said in the report.

The NISR attributed the rise in the consumer price index of 0.43 per cent to the increase in the costs of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (contributing 0.74 per cent while transport contributed 0.82 per cent.

In annual change, the increase in the general index of 7.52 per cent is mainly due to the rising prices of food and non alcoholic beverages contributing 10.25 per cent.

On the other hand, housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels contributed 2.83 per cent. Transport contributed 12.93 per cent while education contributing 20.76 per cent.

Local goods increased by 6.82 per cent on annual change with a monthly change of 0.35 per cent, while prices of the imported products increased by 10.36 per cent on annual change with a monthly change of 0.76 per cent.

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