LOME, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Togo's annual inflation rate remained unchanged at 0.1 percent in June, marking the fifth consecutive month at that level and staying well below the West African Economic and Monetary Union convergence ceiling of 3 percent, according to official data released on Tuesday.

This photo taken on Jan. 13, 2024 shows a view of the Independence Monument in Lome, Togo. (Photo: Xinhua)

The National Institute of Statistics, Economic and Demographic Studies (INSEED) said the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices rose by 1.2 percent month on month to 106.2 points in June, up from 105 points in May, mainly driven by seasonal increases in food prices as well as higher fuel and transport costs.

On a monthly basis, prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 2.4 percent, followed by transport costs, which rose by 2.1 percent, restaurants and accommodation services by 1.1 percent, and housing and energy by 0.5 percent.

INSEED attributed the increase to sharp price rises in several agricultural products, including yams, local tomatoes, green peppers, onions and dried anchovies, as well as higher fuel prices, with gasoline and diesel prices rising by 5.5 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively.