Nigeria’s August inflation rate declined for a second month to 32.15% from 33.40% in July, the statistics office reported on Monday. This comes after the month of July saw the first decrease in consumer inflation in Africa’s largest country in almost a year.
Analysts predict August’s slowdown may be short-lived after two gas price increases this month enraged citizens facing the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.
The removal of a decades-old gasoline subsidy, devaluation of the naira currency, and increase in energy costs by President Bola Tinubu have raised prices.
Reforms attempt to boost economic growth and public finances.
The central bank’s next interest rate decision next week may be influenced by inflation figures. The apex bank has hiked rates four times this year to curb inflation, and economists say July’s hike may be the last.
Further petrol price increases and northern flooding that swept away crops could raise food prices.
“On the whole, disinflation should continue with the headline rate falling below 30% by year-end, but upside risks remain,” Capital Economics Africa analyst David Omojomolo wrote.
He claimed rising petrol prices might “slow the pace of the disinflation process” and that the central bank would not drop rates until early next year.
Food inflation dropped from 39.53% to 37.52% in August. It remained the greatest inflation driver in August.