According to official government data for the […]

According to official government data for the month of May 2026, Lusaka has recorded the highest annual inflation per province, with a rate standing at 8.5%, and accounted for 2.5% as the highest percentage points to the overall annual inflation, which was recorded at 6.6%.

 Some experts have attributed the high inflation recorded to high demand for products that are contained in the consumer price index (CPI). Economic expert Naylor Kopakopa has attributed Lusaka recording the highest annual inflation rate as of May 2026 to the capital having high economic activity compared to other provinces.

 Speaking in an interview with Zambia Business Times-ZBT, KopaKopa noted that when a particular good is in high demand, especially the ones in the consumer price index list, the prices tend to increase and vice versa, simply showing why Lusaka stands with the highest inflation rate in terms of provinces.

“Lusaka has got more economic activity than other provinces, so when a good is in high demand, the price tends to go up and visas; and that’s why we are seeing Luapula province with a lower annual inflation rate because it has less economic activity. Prices of products cannot increase at the same pace as Lusaka does because the buyers are not willing to pay at that price,” said KopaKopa.

He added that a province like Lusaka, which has a higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is recording a higher inflation rate; it simply means in the near future inflation is likely to increase further than the current 8.5%. KopaKopa also mentioned food, which contributes heavily to the annual inflation rate, is in high demand in the capital, and most individuals on a daily basis spend money on transport, which then feeds into an increased inflation rate.

 “In Lusaka food, which contributes to the overall inflation rates, is in high demand compared to Luapula, which recorded the lowest inflation, and in Lusaka transportation costs are incurred on a daily basis,” said KopaKopa.

Article by Phillip Sinkala