Among 44 African countries, Nigeria's 16.96% food inflation in May 2026 was lower only than that of Libya and Malawi

  • Nigeria recorded the third-highest food inflation rate among 44 African countries in May 2026.
  • At 16.96%, Nigeria’s rate was lower only than Libya and Malawi, both at 17.6%.
  • Nigeria’s food inflation was nearly 3.5 times the 4.88% average across the countries covered.
  • Eight of the ten countries with the highest food inflation recorded rates above 10%.

Food inflation remains one of the biggest drivers of rising living costs across Africa, but the pace varies widely from country to country.

Among the 44 African countries with the latest available data, Nigeria recorded the third-highest food inflation rate in May 2026 at 16.96%, behind only Libya (17.6%) and Malawi (17.6%). Across all 44 countries, the average food inflation rate was 4.88%, making Nigeria's rate nearly 3.5 times higher than the continental average.

High food inflation erodes purchasing power, making it more expensive for households to afford the same basket of food even when incomes remain unchanged.

Source:

Trading Economics

Period:

May 2026
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Nigeria’s food inflation has risen every month since January 2026, climbing 8.07 percentage points to 16.96% in May
  • Nigeria’s year-on-year food inflation rose for the fourth consecutive month, from 8.89% in January 2026 to 16.96% in May.
  • The rate increased by 8.07 percentage points within the first five months of 2026.
  • May’s 16.96% rate means food prices were, on average, 16.96% higher than they were in May 2025.
  • Food inflation rose from 12.12% in February to 14.31% in March and 16.06% in April before reaching 16.96% in May.
  • Food inflation exceeded Nigeria’s 15.93% headline inflation rate in May, showing that food was a major source of renewed pressure on household expenses.
Every food item tracked has at least doubled in price since May 2023
  • Every comparable food item tracked is now at least twice as expensive as it was in May 2023.
  • Nearly half of the selected food items have more than tripled in price since the month before fuel subsidy removal.
  • Unripe plantain recorded the steepest increase, rising by 469% between May 2023 and April 2026.
  • Ripe plantain, yam tuber, and fresh tilapia also saw extreme increases of more than 300%.
  • Even the slowest-rising staples, including frozen chicken, beans, gari, and maize, still more than doubled in price.
Healthy diet costs rose fastest in Nigeria’s North-West over two years
  • Healthy diet costs rose 49% nationally in two years.
  • North-West states recorded the fastest increases.
  • All seven North-West states rose above the national average.
  • Katsina and Kogi recorded the steepest increases, at 98%.
  • Akwa Ibom had the lowest increase, at 5%.
One adult’s monthly healthy diet takes two-thirds of minimum wage
  • One adult’s healthy diet takes 66% of Nigeria’s minimum wage.
  • The national average monthly cost is about ₦46,230 per adult.
  • Ekiti has the highest burden, at 90% of minimum wage.
  • Six states require over 80% of minimum wage for one adult’s healthy diet.
  • Adamawa has the lowest burden, at 43%.
The basket of food that cost ₦100k in January 2025 cost approximately ₦114k in August
  • Food prices rose roughly 13.9% from January to August 2025, according to the rebased Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the National Bureau of Statistics.
  • Month-on-month inflation for food fluctuated, with some months seeing sharper increases than others.
  • Using January as a baseline, the purchasing power of money for food declined steadily, meaning households need more naira to buy the same items.
  • Food carries a large weight in the CPI basket, making it a major driver of overall inflation and cost-of-living increases.
South Sudan tops Africa's food inflation list with 106%; two other East African nations in top 5
  • South Sudan and Zimbabwe have crossed 100% food inflation.
  • Three of the top five countries with the highest food inflation in Africa are in East Africa, showing a regional pattern of vulnerability.
  • Nigeria ranks 7th in Africa for food inflation at 21.3%, underlining persistent cost-of-living pressures despite being a major economy.
  • Liberia and Zambia round out the top 10 with double-digit food inflation.
  • Djibouti, Somalia, and Senegal are experiencing food price deflation, setting them apart from most African countries.
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