Tanzania Inflation Eases to 4.2% in October as Transport Hits 14.9%

What changed

Tanzania’s annual headline inflation eased to 4.2% in October 2026, from 4.3% in September. Monthly prices fell for firewood, charcoal, finger millet, maize grains and fresh fish, while transport recorded the highest rate among the main groups at 14.9%.

Why it matters

The headline figure offers a small measure of relief, especially where households buy basic food and energy items. Cheaper maize, charcoal and firewood can ease everyday costs even as transport remains a sharp counterweight.

That split matters more than the tenth-of-a-percentage-point dip. A household may pay less for some staples and cooking fuel, yet still face a heavy transport bill. The result is inflation that feels uneven: calmer in the market basket, much hotter on the road.

The outlook is cautiously better, but the food and energy declines may not persist. For now, Tanzania’s October numbers describe relief in several necessities alongside a transport sector still putting pressure on household budgets.