By Derrick Silimina

The Zambia Statistics Agency says annual inflation for March 2026 has further gone down to 7.1 percent from 7.5 percent recorded in February 2026, a positive trend in the country’s inflation rate.

In a statement, ZamStats Statistician General Sheila Mudenda noted that this means that on average, prices of goods and services increased by 7.1 percent between March 2025 and March 2026.

“This development was attributed to price movements in both food and non-food items. Annual food inflation for March 2026 was recorded at 7.8 percent compared to 8.2 percent in February 2026. This means on average prices of food items increased by 7.8 percent between March 2025 and March 2026,” Mudenda said.

She outlined that the drop in inflationary pressure is mainly attributed to price movements in prices of food items such as Cereals (Breakfast Mealie meal, Roller mealie meal, Maize grain, Rice imported, Wheat Plain Household Flour); Fruit (Lemons, Apples, Water Melon, Avocadoes); Vegetables (Lumanda, Cassava leaves, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Sweet potatoes, Green pepper, Maize cobs) and Cooking oil.

The newly appointed Statistician General further disclosed that the annual non-food inflation for March 2026 was recorded at 5.9 percent compared to 6.5 percent in February 2026.

“This outturn was mainly attributed to price movements in prices of non-food items such as Materials for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling (Cement, Building Sand-1 Wheelbarrow, Paint (PVA Water Paint), Floor tiles-Porcellain-60×60, Clear glass-4mm); Fuel (Diesel, Petrol, Paraffin) and Purchase of Motor Vehicles.”

Meanwhile, economic analysts say this decline reflects a possible stabilizing of prices and could impact economic policies, purchasing power, and overall economic confidence within Zambia adding that as inflationary pressures are easing, this may be beneficial for both consumers and investors.