Egypt’s net international reserves hit all-time high in September 2026

By Daniel Bekele · October 7, 2026, 5:37 PM · Updated October 7, 2026, 7:05 PM · 3 minutes read

Egypt’s net international reserves climbed to $57.35 billion at the end of September 2026. The jump from last year cements the country’s financial buffer.

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) closed September 2026 with net international reserves at $57.3482 billion. That’s a new record. The number is up from $57.2145 billion in August. A year ago, reserves stood at $49.536 billion. These figures come from official CBE data reported by Al-Ahram.

Foreign currency holdings reached $39.292 billion by the end of September 2026. Last year, that figure was $33.649 billion. Egypt’s ability to handle external debt and sudden shocks has grown. In September alone, reserves rose by $133.7 million, or about 0.23% over August.

Egypt’s net international reserves have grown by about $4.74 billion since the start of 2026, with consistent monthly increases from $53 billion in April to $56.29 billion in July.

Al-Ahram

Gold reserves played a big part in this growth. They hit $17.456 billion, up from $15.843 billion in September 2025. Special drawing rights (SDRs) also jumped, reaching $602 million compared to just $44 million a year earlier. The CBE manages these assets. They are the backbone of Egypt’s reserves. These reserves help keep the currency steady and cover payments abroad.

Egypt’s main sources of foreign currency are still strong. Remittances from Egyptians working overseas, export earnings, and Suez Canal fees all support the reserve build-up. In August 2026, reserves rose by $920 million, or 1.6% over July. That was the previous monthly record. Higher gold prices, economic reforms, a rebound in Suez Canal and tourism revenues, and more remittances all played a role as detailed by Al-Ahram.

Reserves have grown steadily for more than two years. Egypt has weathered global economic swings. The CBE raised key interest rates by 6 percentage points in March 2024. That move aimed to slow inflation, steady prices, and boost foreign currency liquidity. The upward trend has held since then, according to Al-Ahram.

Official IMF statistics show that as of August 31, 2026, Egypt continued to conduct transactions with the Fund, including purchases totaling 2.57845 billion SDR and repayments of 1.319307495 billion SDR for the year.

IMF

Breakdown of Egypt’s reserve growth

Egypt’s reserves have climbed every month in 2026. The numbers: $53 billion in April, $53.13 billion in May, $55.07 billion in June, and $56.2939 billion in July. The total increase since January is nearly $4.74 billion. Egypt’s monetary policy and ongoing reforms have driven this rise according to Al-Ahram’s business report.

This growth is more than just a number. It gives Egypt more financial credibility and flexibility. The CBE uses these reserves as a buffer. They help Egypt handle market pressure and meet its obligations abroad. The latest data shows Egypt is not just stabilizing its economy. It is building a stronger base for future policy and investment.

Topics: Monetary Policy Economic Outlooks #Egypt #Cairo #Central Bank of Egypt #Egyptian pound

Author

Daniel Bekele

Daniel Bekele is the Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Africans Time. He covers politics, economic policy and diplomacy, with particular attention to East Africa and the Horn of Africa alongside major political and economic developments affecting the continent more broadly.