Fuel prices push inflation to 13-year high

Inflation driven by an increase in fuel prices as well as revised minibus and taxi fares PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
Inflation driven by an increase in fuel prices as well as revised minibus and taxi fares PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

Inflation rose to 10.6% in January, the highest level since March 2009, driven by an increase in fuel prices as well as revised minibus and taxi fares. Inflation, which is the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services, was recorded at 8.7% in December 2021.

However, the level of inflation in December did not include an increase in fuel pump prices, which were raised by as much as P1.75 on December 20. Pump prices were raised five times in 2021, pushing inflation to nine-year highs by June.

The latest report from Statistics Botswana indicates that higher inflation in January was powered by the Transport group index, which tracks the prices of fuel, commuter fares and vehicle prices. Besides the December 20 pump price increase, minibus fares were increased to P6 from P5 and taxi fares from P6 to P7 on January 1, 2022.

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Routine child vaccination imperative

The recent Vaccination Day in Motokwe, orchestrated through collaborative efforts between UNICEF, USAID, BRCS, and the Ministry of Health, underscores a commendable stride towards fortifying child health services.The painful reality as reflected by the Ministry of Health's data regarding the decline in routine immunisation coverage since the onset of the pandemic, is a cause for concern.It underscores the urgent need to address the...

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