Inflation accelerated for the second consecutive month in April 2026, deepening concerns over persistent cost‑of‑living pressures despite easing food prices. Headline year‑on‑year inflation rose to 10.83%, up from 10.24% in March, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by Statistics Sierra Leone.

The 0.59‑percentage‑point increase confirms a renewed upward trend in price growth, even as monthly inflation slowed sharply to 1.37% from 2.28% in March. Analysts say the moderation in month‑to‑month price changes has done little to offset the structural pressures now embedded across key non‑food sectors. Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels emerged as the single largest driver of inflation in April. Prices in this category surged from 45.02% in March to 55.23% in April — a dramatic 10.21‑percentage‑point jump in just one month. With an 8.9% weighting in the CPI basket, the spike in utility and energy costs exerted an outsized influence on the national inflation rate.

Transport inflation also accelerated sharply, rising from 22.27% in March to 32.96% in April. The 10.69‑percentage‑point increase reflects ongoing pressures from fuel costs, logistics disruptions, and imported inflation. Transport carries an 8.6% weighting in the CPI, amplifying its impact on overall price levels.

In contrast, food and non‑alcoholic beverage inflation — the largest component of the CPI at 40.3% — eased significantly. Food inflation fell to 3.56% in April from 4.58% in March, helping prevent an even sharper rise in headline inflation.

However, the broader trend shows a decisive shift: non‑food inflation is now the primary engine of price growth. Non‑food inflation climbed to 16.62% in April, up from 14.68% in March.

The national CPI index rose from 241.61 in April 2025 to 267.77 in April 2026 — an increase of 26.16 index points over twelve months. The rise underscores the continued erosion of household purchasing power, with essential services and transport costs placing increasing strain on consumers.

Economists warn that unless utility and fuel‑related pressures ease, Sierra Leone may face a prolonged period of elevated inflation driven by structural, rather than seasonal, factors.