HARARE, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's annual inflation rate in the local Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency rose to 4.8 percent in April, up from the previous month's 4.4 percent, according to data released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) on Monday.

Month-on-month ZiG inflation also rose to 1.1 percent in April from 0.5 percent in March. The increases in the index were mainly observed in the transport division, followed by the food and non-alcoholic beverages division, ZIMSTAT said.

The surge in inflation was also recorded in U.S. dollar terms, with annual U.S. dollar inflation rising to 2.2 percent in April from 1.3 percent in March. Month-on-month inflation in U.S. dollar terms climbed to 1.1 percent from 0.5 percent.

ZIMSTAT attributed the increase in U.S. dollar inflation to higher transport and food costs.

Zimbabwe has hiked fuel prices due to the conflicts in the Middle East, resulting in an increase in transport costs and prices of some goods and services.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe expects inflation to remain on an upward trend until May before it starts retreating the following month.

The Monetary Policy Committee assessed that inflation will stay within the single-digit level throughout 2026.

Zimbabwe recorded a single-digit annual ZiG inflation rate of 4.1 percent in January 2026 for the first time in over three decades.

The central bank expects the month-on-month inflation to return to its steady state levels from June 2026. ■