- As African currencies weaken against the dollar and central banks push rates up, the continent faces a cost of living crisis.
- Many businesses and households are being squeezed even harder to make ends meet.
The cost-of-living crisis had rocked Africa’s prosperous countries before Russia invaded Ukraine. Many businesses and households are being squeezed even harder to make ends meet.
With the region’s currencies weakening against the dollar and central banks pushing rates up, the people of Africa face a cost of living crisis. Here is a look at the recent developments in key markets across the continent.
Rwanda – food prices have risen by 29%
According to the latest Consumer Price Index released by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, food and non-alcoholic beverage prices in urban areas increased by 29.2 per cent during August compared to the same period last year. The report revealed that prices for bread and cereals increased by 27.9 per cent, meat increased by 19.4 per cent, while milk, cheese, and eggs prices increased by 12.6 per cent. The costs for vegetables increased by 35.5 per cent, non-alcoholic beverages increased by 14.5 per cent, and alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics increased by 10.8 per cent.
The cost-of-living crisis in South Africa has worsened over the past 10 years
Although African economies are slowly recovering from the pandemic, South Africa’s economy is still battling with the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to job losses of about 2 million. A recent survey from Debt Rescue found that South Africans have been facing record high food and fuel prices throughout this year. The survey noted that as a result of the high inflationary market, as many as 81% of respondents are cutting down on daily meals as they can no longer afford them.
The latest consumer price information shared by Stats S.A. also confirms the year-on-year increases in transport costs (up by 25% vs 20%); food and non-alcoholic beverages (9.70% vs 8.60%); housing and utilities (4% vs 5.10%) as well as miscellaneous goods and services (3.60% vs 4%) are the main contributors to the cost-of-living crisis. South Africa’s recovery has reportedly been sluggish compared to other African nations.
Nigeria’s inflation rate surges to 19.64%
Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa, is one of the countries with a significant uptick in its cost of living due to high inflationary pressure. According to the latest data report by the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s inflation rate climbed to a 17-year high in July, fueled by bread, cereal, gas and transport costs. The last time Nigeria’s inflation was above 19.64% was in September 2005, when it rose to 24.32%. On a year-to-date basis, the inflation rate in the West African nation has increased by over 400 basis points from 15.63% recorded in December 2021 to 19.64% in the review month.
According to Bloomberg, persistent security issues in the country’s food-producing regions, high diesel costs and continued currency weakness are likely to place upward pressure on prices in the coming months.
Inflation in Kenya surges to a 19-month high in food and fuel costs
Official data released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) showed the cost of living crisis worsened in August on soaring prices of food, energy, transport, housing, home appliances and equipment.
According to the report, Kenyans endured the sharpest rise in the cost of living in more than five years in August, amid a failed maize flour subsidy, rising fuel costs and a weakening shilling.
Meanwhile, inflation climbed to a 62-month high of 8.5 per cent from 8.3 per cent the prior month. The shilling has also come under sustained pressure from increased dollar demand from importers, especially oil and merchandise traders, amid speculation of further decline.
Overall, the price of goods such as crude oil, food, machinery and cars have increased in the wake of the shilling weakening by 6.1 per cent since the start of the year, compared to a 0.5 per cent depreciation in a similar period in 2021.
Ghana’s high inflation worsens living conditions
Ghana’s inflation has hit nearly 35% — the highest in the last two decades — as prices of food and other goods are rising daily, worsening living conditions for ordinary consumers. In the latest news: Ghana’s Inflation rate for August 2022 hits 33.9% and also Transport fares increased by 30% effective September 21.
According to Bloomberg, the Ghanaian cedi has depreciated by 30% against the U.S. dollar year-to-date, indicating the second-worst performing currency in the world after the Sri Lankan Rupee. Consumers and business owners say they are forced to close shop as the local currency continues to lose its value against the U.S. dollar.
“The Cedi fell 1.6% on Tuesday, August 16, extending this year’s slump to 35% and making it the world’s worst performer among 150 currencies tracked, after bankrupt Sri Lanka’s rupee,” Bloomberg indicated.
Furthermore, ratings from top rating agencies Fitch and S&P also saw the Cedi rating falling further to junk in the coming months.
The Ghana year-on-year inflation rate was 33.9% in August 2022 which is 2.2 percentage points higher than the recorded 31.7% in July 2022, Ghana’s Statistical Service (GSS) has said.
This means that in the month of August 2022 the general price level was 33.9 % higher than in August 2021. The month-on-month inflation between July 2022 and August 2022 was 1.9 %.
Addressing a news conference in Accra, the capital city of Ghana, on Wednesday (14 September) Prof Samuel Kobina Annim, said the inflation rate for August was mainly driven by transport and utilities. Regional breakdown Western Region recorded the highest food inflation (47.0%) and Eastern Region, had the highest non-food inflation (42.0%). READ: Sachet and bottled water to be sold ¢0.50 and ¢3 respectively, effective Sept 19
The Eastern Region recorded the overall highest inflation (41.0%) with the Upper East Region recording the least rate of inflation of 22.8%. Transport (68.7%) recorded the highest rate of inflation in the Eastern Region, for food inflation in the Western Region, Fish and Other Seafood had the highest rate of inflation of 64.0%.
