Botswana inflation hits 4.1% in January as food cost surges

• Annual inflation rises to 4.1%, highest since June 2023
• Transport and food drive broad-based price pressures

GABORONE, BOTSWANA – Botswana’s annual inflation climbed to 4.1% in January, driven by higher transport and food costs, complicating the policy outlook ahead of next week’s central bank meeting.

The increase from 3.9% in December marks the third consecutive monthly rise, following readings of 3.8% in November and 3.9% in December, according to Statistics Botswana (StatsBots). The latest figure is the highest since June 2023, when inflation reached 4.6%.