Economy: Egypt
Key Facts
—Who. The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), which publishes the reserve figures each month.
—What. Net international reserves reached a record US$57.35 billion at the end of September 2026.
—Where. Egypt, a North African economy that is in the final months of an IMF-backed programme.
—When. Announced on Wednesday 7 October 2026.
—US link. The pound trades at about 52.3 to the US dollar (EODHD, 7 October), against about 30.9 before the March 2024 float.
—As of. 7 October 2026, 22:50 GMT.
Egypt’s foreign reserves reached a record US$57.35 billion at the end of September, the central bank said on Wednesday. The cushion pays for imports and debt payments in dollars.
What We Know
Net international reserves stood at US$57.348 billion at the end of September. That is US$133.7 million more than in August and US$7.8 billion more than the US$49.53 billion of September 2025.
Reserves have risen by about US$5.9 billion since the end of 2025. The figures are provisional central bank data.
What Moved in September
Foreign-currency holdings rose by US$1.74 billion to US$39.29 billion. That more than offset a US$1.6 billion fall in the value of gold reserves, which ended the month at US$17.46 billion.
Special drawing rights, the IMF’s reserve asset, edged down by US$4 million to US$602 million. We found no explanation from the central bank for the jump in foreign-currency holdings.
Remittances, the Pound and the IMF
Egyptians working abroad sent home a record US$47.3 billion in the 2025/26 fiscal year, up 29.6% on the year before. Egypt let its pound float in March 2024 and agreed an enlarged US$8 billion programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The IMF completed its seventh review on 30 July, making about US$1.8 billion available. The programme expires on 15 December 2026, and Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has said Egypt sees no need for a new one.
The central bank kept its overnight deposit and lending rates at 19% and 20% in September. High rates help attract foreign investors to Egyptian debt.
The Debts Behind the Record
Reserves are only half the picture, because Egypt must keep paying interest and repaying loans in dollars. The IMF programme itself is a loan that has to be repaid.
In June the IMF said the flexible exchange rate absorbed sizable portfolio outflows through the end of March. It said gross reserves stayed broadly stable.
What Is Not Known
We found no breakdown of how much of the rise in foreign-currency holdings comes from short-term portfolio money. It is also unclear how many months of imports the new total covers.
The next tests are the final IMF reviews before 15 December and the central bank’s next interest-rate decision. The September figure is provisional and may be revised.
What It Means for US Readers and Investors
Larger reserves lower the risk that Egypt runs short of dollars, which matters for holders of Egyptian bonds and for US companies that import from or invest in the country. A steadier pound also makes costs easier to plan for visitors and exporters.
The record does not remove the need to keep paying foreign creditors in dollars. This is our reading of the central bank figures, not a forecast.
More: Egypt news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
How large are Egypt’s foreign reserves?
Net international reserves were a record US$57.35 billion at the end of September 2026, according to the Central Bank of Egypt. That is about US$7.8 billion more than a year earlier.
Why did Egypt’s reserves rise in September?
Foreign-currency holdings grew by US$1.74 billion, more than offsetting a US$1.6 billion fall in the value of gold. The central bank did not explain the rise in currency holdings.
What is the Egyptian pound worth today?
The pound trades at about 52.3 to the US dollar, according to EODHD data on 7 October. Before the March 2024 float, it was about 30.9.
Does Egypt still have an IMF loan?
Yes, a US$8 billion programme that expires on 15 December 2026. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has said Egypt sees no need for a new one.
Sources
Central Bank of Egypt figures via State Information Service · Ahram Online · Arab News · Amwal Al Ghad · State Information Service on Madbouly
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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