Sudan's annual inflation rate slowed to 40.22% in March 2026, down sharply from 56.39% in February, according to new data from the country's Central Bureau of Statistics. 

While the decline extends a broader downward trend from the extreme highs seen in 2024, economists caution that the improvement offers limited relief to households facing deepening economic strain.

Despite the lower headline figure, purchasing power continues to erode for millions of Sudanese, as conflict-related disruptions, currency depreciation, and elevated prices for essential goods weigh heavily on daily life.

The moderation in inflation coincides with tentative signs of stabilization in government-controlled areas. Supply chains have shown partial recovery, with improved movement of goods and some rebound in agricultural output.

Inflation in Sudan has remained highly volatile since the outbreak of the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023. The conflict has devastated infrastructure, displaced more than 14 million people, and over 21 million people facing acute food insecurity, according to the United Nations. 

While some easing has been observed in both rural and urban areas, prices, particularly for imported goods, remain highly sensitive to exchange rate movements. The Sudanese pound continues to weaken, trading at roughly 600 per US dollar on the parallel market as of mid-April 2026. 

The depreciation has sustained upward pressure on the cost of imported food, fuel, and medicine.

Conflict-driven economic strain

The conflict has severely disrupted Sudan's economic foundations. Key agricultural regions have been affected by fighting, transport networks have been damaged, and access to markets has been constrained. 

Gold exports, a critical source of foreign exchange, have also faced setbacks, while banking and formal trade systems remain impaired in many areas.

Wages, particularly for casual labor, have declined in real terms across several regions, compounding the strain on households. Food costs, which make up a large share of consumer spending, remain especially burdensome despite some moderation in price increases.

For most Sudanese, the easing of inflation has not translated into improved living conditions. Prices of staples such as bread, sorghum, cooking oil, and fuel, though rising more slowly, remain far above pre-conflict levels.

(With input from wires)