• Cameroon inflation averages 3.1% in year to January 2026
• Food prices up 6.6%, but fall 1.9% in January
• IMF sees inflation easing to 2.9% in 2026

Cameroon’s annual inflation averaged 3.1% in the 12 months to January 2026, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INS). That marks a sharp decline from 5.7% a year earlier, but remains slightly above the 3% ceiling set under the convergence criteria of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), which includes Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad and the Central African Republic.

Food prices remain the main driver of inflation, rising by an average 6.6% over the year. In January 2026, however, food prices fell 1.9%, the first monthly decline since early 2025. The drop reflects improved market supply, easing supply constraints and a gradual normalization of logistics after disruptions in October and November 2025.

Regional disparities

Inflation varied significantly across cities. Ngaoundéré, in the Adamawa region, recorded the highest year-on-year rate at 4.3%, followed by Bamenda in the Northwest at 4.2%. Bafoussam, Buea and Yaoundé also reported elevated inflation. By contrast, Douala, Bertoua and Garoua saw more moderate price growth, while Maroua posted the lowest rate in the country at 1.3%. The differences largely reflect variations in transport costs, product availability and local supply chains.

Although inflation remains above the regional ceiling, the outlook is improving. The International Monetary Fund expects economic growth to accelerate to 3.3% in 2026 and exceed 4% from 2028 as energy sector constraints ease.

The IMF projects inflation will fall to 2.9% in 2026 and stabilize at around 2.5% over the medium term, in line with regional convergence criteria. That trajectory would help consolidate price stability and support household purchasing power, provided structural bottlenecks are gradually addressed.

Sandrine Gaingne