The NCPI is Tanzania's official measure of consumer price changes, compiled by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and released monthly.
383 goods and services in total — comprising 132 food and non-alcoholic beverage items and 251 non-food items. Prices are collected from all 26 regional headquarters on the Tanzanian mainland.
Weights are derived from the 2017/18 Household Budget Survey, covering both urban and rural households across all 26 mainland regions. The base price reference period is January–December 2020 (index = 100).
The NCPI follows the UN COICOP 2018 framework, disseminated across 13 divisions. Supplementary indices include: Core, Non-Core, Energy/Fuel/Utilities, Services, Goods, Education, and All Items Less Food.
Elementary aggregates use the geometric mean of price relatives. Higher-level aggregates use the Lowe Index formula (a type of Laspeyres index), providing a consistent and internationally comparable measure.
The headline rate remained unchanged from February 2026, indicating stable overall price conditions. The overall NCPI climbed from 119.27 in March 2025 to 123.04 in March 2026.
Annual percentage change, March 2026 vs March 2025
February 2026 to March 2026
Detailed index values and inflation rates for all 13 COICOP divisions and supplementary indices as of March 2026.
| # | Division / Category | Weight (%) | Mar 2025 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 | 1-Month % | 12-Month % | Weight Share |
|---|
Source: National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Tanzania — NCPI Press Release, 8 April 2026.
The NBS also publishes several supplementary aggregations that provide deeper insight into price dynamics across different segments of the economy.
12-month rate, March 2026
12-month rate, March 2026
| Index | Weight (%) | Mar 2025 | Feb 2026 | Mar 2026 | 1-Month % | 12-Month % |
|---|
The NCPI rose from 122.01 to 123.04 (+0.84%) between February and March 2026. The increase was driven by both food and non-food items.
The NBS publishes monthly CPI data. Analysts and investors can plan around the following confirmed release dates.
8 May 2026
Scheduled release date for April 2026 NCPI data
8 June 2026
Scheduled release date for May 2026 NCPI data
8 July 2026
Scheduled release date for June 2026 NCPI data
A closer look at each of the 13 COICOP divisions — how each category has moved over the past month and year, with weight significance and trend signals.
Breaking down the evolution of Tanzania's price environment from March 2025 to March 2026 across the three key inflation measures: Headline, Core, and Food.
How frequently each inflation band occurred (Mar 2025–Mar 2026)
Month-on-month NCPI change (absolute points)
Energy prices exerted significant upward pressure in March 2026, with several fuel types posting sharp monthly gains. This matters greatly for transport costs, manufacturing, and household welfare.
The Energy, Fuel and Utilities Index rose sharply from 131.61 in February to 134.36 in March 2026 — a monthly jump of 2.1 points. On an annual basis, it also recorded 2.1% growth from 131.58 in March 2025.
Percentage change, February to March 2026
Index value (2020 = 100), estimated monthly path
At 5.5% annual inflation, food prices remain the primary driver of household cost-of-living pressure in Tanzania. Here we examine which staples are under pressure and what this means for food security.
Core staple grains and roots, Feb → Mar 2026
Meat, fish, dairy, and legumes, Feb → Mar 2026
| Food Sub-Category | Key Items Rising | Monthly Change Range | Severity | Household Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roots & Tubers | Fresh cassava, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes | +4.5% to +8.2% | 🔴 High | Critical — key calorie sources for rural & urban poor |
| Fish & Seafood | Dried sardines, fresh fish | +2.4% to +4.3% | 🟠 Elevated | High — protein affordability under pressure |
| Fresh Produce | Fruits, vegetables | +3.8% | 🟠 Elevated | Moderate-high — seasonal variability expected |
| Cereals & Grains | Rice, sorghum, maize, finger millet | +1.3% to +2.6% | 🟡 Moderate | Moderate — basis of most Tanzanian meals |
| Flours & Processed Grains | Cassava flour, sorghum flour, maize flour | +1.0% to +2.5% | 🟡 Moderate | Moderate — processed forms lag raw grain prices |
| Legumes | Dried beans, lentils, peas | +0.3% to +1.9% | 🟢 Low-Moderate | Low — important affordable protein alternative |
| Bread & Bakery | Bread, bakery products | +1.3% | 🟢 Low-Moderate | Low — urban consumption staple |
| Dairy | Raw milk of cattle | +0.6% | 🟢 Low | Low — relatively stable price environment |
What does Tanzania's March 2026 inflation data mean for businesses, investors, and policy analysts? TICGL breaks down the key signals by sector.
Headline inflation at 3.2% — unchanged for two consecutive months — signals that the Bank of Tanzania's monetary stance is broadly effective. The narrow 3.2%–3.6% range over 13 months indicates a well-anchored inflation environment, reducing the probability of emergency rate hikes and providing a stable backdrop for long-term investment planning.
Food inflation at 5.5% and rising prices for cassava (+8.2%), potatoes (+5.1%), and sardines (+4.3%) point to supply-side constraints. Investors in food processing, cold chain logistics, and agricultural inputs should expect continued cost pressure on raw materials. Margins may narrow unless hedging strategies or local sourcing arrangements are in place.
Transport inflation stands at 4.2% year-on-year with diesel surging +4.7% in March alone. Companies relying on road freight, last-mile delivery, or fuel-intensive operations face direct margin compression. Fuel cost clauses in contracts and fuel efficiency investments become more critical in this environment.
Housing, water, electricity and gas inflation at just 1.6% annually is among the lowest of all categories. Combined with core inflation at 2.2%, this suggests the real cost of property holding remains relatively stable — creating a potentially favourable window for real estate acquisition and development finance.
Information and communication recorded just 1.0% annual inflation and 0.0% monthly change — the most price-stable sector in the entire NCPI basket. This reflects competitive telecoms markets and declining hardware costs. For digital-first businesses operating in Tanzania, input cost inflation is minimal.
Restaurants and accommodation services posted 2.1% annual inflation and a modest +0.4% monthly rise. While food input costs are rising, the relatively contained service-side inflation suggests businesses have not yet passed through full cost increases to consumers — creating a potential price adjustment window for operators.
Insurance and financial services posted just 0.3% annual inflation — the lowest of any NCPI division. This ultra-stable pricing environment, combined with moderate headline inflation, suggests real returns on financial instruments remain positive and the sector is not under inflationary distortion.
Clothing and footwear at 1.3% annual inflation, furnishings at 2.3%, and personal care at 3.3% — the goods sector overall at 3.6% — indicate moderate retail price pressure. Importers face currency and freight pass-through risks, while domestic producers benefit from the relatively stable core goods environment.
Key questions from analysts, investors, and policy researchers about Tanzania's inflation data.