The August Figures
Consumer prices in Rwanda were 15.7% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) reported on 10 September, up from 14.5% in July.
- Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels: up 20.4% on the year, and 0.2% on July
- Food and non-alcoholic drinks: up 16.3%
- Transport: up 24.2%
- Restaurants and hotels: up 15.6%
- Energy: up 45.4%
Read the Housing Number Carefully
The 20.4% is not a rent index. It combines rent with water, electricity, gas and other fuels, and energy prices rose 45.4% over the year, so part of the increase is utility and fuel bills rather than rent. It should not be read as rents rising by a fifth.
Why It Matters for Property
The central bank raised its rate to 8.75% on 27 August to contain exactly this, and expects inflation to average 13.1% this year before easing in 2027. For landlords, higher living costs limit how much of a rent increase tenants can absorb. For buyers, they raise the cost of building and of borrowing.
For what rents are actually asking today, Ziinga's research page publishes monthly asking rents by number of bedrooms, and the rentals search shows every live listing.