THE annual headline inflation rate for February 2025 increased to 3.2 percent from 3.1 percent that was recorded in January, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has announced.

 In a statement released yesterday, NBS said the increase explains that speed of price change for commodities for the year ended February, 2025 had increased compared to the speed that was recorded for the year ended January, 2025.

The overall index went up from 114.65 recorded in February, 2024 to 118.28 in February, 2025. However, food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation rate for February, 2025 had decreased to 5.0 percent from 5.3 percent that was recorded in January.
 On the other hand, annual inflation rate for all items without food and non-alcoholic beverages for February had increased to 2.4 percent from 2.1 percent that was recorded in January, 2025.
 NCPI has shown a relatively stable price movement from February, 2024 to February, 2025 ranging between 114.65 and 118.28. “In addition, annual headline inflation rates over the same period had shown a stable trend that ranges between 3.0 percent and 3.2 percent.” reads the statement.

The national consumer price index between January, 2025 and February, 2025 increased by 0.6 percent. The increase of the overall index is attributed to price increase for some food and non-food items.

Some food items that contributed to an increase of the index include rice by 3.8 percent, finger millet grains by 10.1 percent, maize grains by 1.8 percent, sorghum flour by 4.0 percent, maize flour by 2.6 percent, pasta products by 1.1 percent and fresh beef by 0.8 percent.

Others are cooking oils by 2.4 percent, fruits by 2.6 percent, groundnuts by 4.9 percent, vegetables by 1.3 percent, round potatoes by 2.5 percent, sweet potatoes by 2.9 percent, dried beans by 3.5 percent, dried lentils by 2.0 percent, cowpeas by 3.7 percent and cassava flour by 1.4 percent.

Some non-food items that contributed to an increase of the index includes clothing materials by 0.4 percent; garments for women and children by 0.3 percent and school uniforms by 0.2 percent.

 Others are kerosene by 0.8 percent, firewood by 9.0 percent, charcoal by 0.4 percent, dental services by 3.3 percent; diesel by 0.9 percent; petrol by 0.4 percent and education services by 0.2 percent.

Statistics show that the three East African countries of Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda had recorded increased inflation rate in February 2025.

Kenya had recorded an increase from 3.1 percent in January, 2025 to 3.2 percent in February, 2025 while Uganda recorded an increase of 3.5 percent in February, up from 3.3 percent in January, 2025.