Freetown, 31st August, 2026 – Sierra Leone’s inflationary pressures persisted in July, with headline consumer price inflation rising slightly to 14.89 percent, up from 14.77 percent in June, according to the latest figures released by Statistics Sierra Leone.
The monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed a modest increase of 0.42 percent, down sharply from 1.57 percent in June, reflecting slower price growth across several categories.
Food and non‑alcoholic beverages inflation fell to 5.74 percent in July, down from 6.79 percent in June, offering some relief to households. However, non‑food inflation climbed to 22.11 percent, compared to 21.03 percent the previous month, underscoring rising costs in housing, utilities, transport and health services.
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels recorded one of the steepest increases, jumping from 81.33 percent in June to 83.72 percent in July. Transport inflation also remained high at 37.04 percent, though slightly down from 40.23 percent in June.
The Western Area continued to report the highest inflation at 21.87 percent, followed by the Northern Region at 16.06 percent. In contrast, the Southern Region saw inflation ease to 6.49 percent, while the North‑West Region remained relatively stable at 2.39 percent.
Stats SL noted that housing and utilities, transport, and food were the three biggest contributors to the July inflation rate. “A double‑digit inflation rate has now been recorded for five straight months since March 2025,” the report stated, highlighting the persistence of price pressures despite easing food costs.
While the slowdown in monthly inflation suggests some short‑term stability, the continued rise in non‑food categories signals ongoing challenges for households and policymakers. Analysts warn that sustained high costs in housing, energy and transport could erode consumer purchasing power and complicate economic recovery efforts.
