Zambia’s headline inflation rate slowed to 6.2% year-on-year in August 2026, down from 6.5% recorded in July, official figures show.
According to data released by the Zambia Statistics Agency on Thursday, consumer price growth has now reached its lowest level since February 2018.
The deceleration pulls headline inflation closer to the lower bound of the Bank of Zambia’s 6% to 8% target range.
The disinflation trend was largely sustained by the ongoing strength and resilience of the domestic kwacha.
A stronger currency has helped buffer the copper-rich African nation from imported price pressures and volatile international input costs.
On a sequential basis, consumer prices rose by 0.2% month-on-month in August, maintaining the exact pace set in July.
The latest reading highlights significant stabilization over recent years. Annual inflation stood far higher at 12.6% in August 2025.
Stronger copper export earnings, external debt restructuring milestones, and steady foreign exchange inflows have bolstered the kwacha’s recovery.
The sustained cooling of price pressures gives central bank policymakers expanded room to support broader domestic economic activity.
Last week, Zambia concluded its presidential election. The incumbent president Hakainde Hichilema, secured a second five-year mandate with 2,965,326 votes, representing 61.4 % of the votes count.
