The annual inflation rate in Botswana rose to 4.2% in March 2026 from 4% in February, marking the highest reading since June 2023. The main positive contributors were transportation (6.4% vs 6.3% in February); food & non-alcoholic beverages (5.8% vs 5.4%); miscellaneous goods & services (9.4% vs 9.2%) and alcoholic beverages & tobacco (9.9% vs 9.4%). In late March, the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) announced a significant increase in the retail pump prices of petrol, diesel, and illuminating paraffin. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 0.4% in March, after a 0.2% increase in the previous month.