Sierra Leone’s annual inflation rate rose slightly in November 2025, driven by sharp increases in education and transport costs that offset continued easing in food prices, official data showed.
Headline inflation stood at 4.57 percent, up from 4.44 percent in October, according to Statistics Sierra Leone. The increase of 0.13 percentage points marked the first uptick in several months, though inflation has remained in single digits for eight consecutive months.
The statistics agency said price pressures were strongest in non-food categories, particularly education, where inflation jumped sharply at the start of the academic year.
Education services inflation surged to 8.55 percent in November from minus 0.38 percent a month earlier, reflecting seasonal increases in school fees. Transport costs also rose, climbing to 3.90 percent from 1.53 percent, a rise analysts linked to fluctuations in global fuel prices.
As a result, non-food inflation increased by 0.31 percentage points to 6.08 percent, with furnishings and alcoholic beverages also recording higher price growth during the month.
These pressures were partly offset by declining food prices. Inflation in the food and non-alcoholic beverages category which carries a 40.3 percent weighting in the consumer price index eased slightly to 2.70 percent, down 0.10 percentage points from October.
Housing and utilities inflation fell to 3.28 percent, down 1.98 points, supported by stabilising utility costs, while price growth for clothing and restaurants also moderated.
Statistics Sierra Leone noted that despite the slowdown, food prices continued to have the greatest overall influence on inflation due to their heavy weighting in the index.
The data points to continued pressure on household budgets, as lower food inflation provides some relief while rising costs for education and transport weigh on disposable incomes.
Economists say the contrasting trends present a challenge for policymakers seeking to maintain price stability while cushioning consumers from volatile non-food costs, particularly in sectors that are difficult for households to avoid.
