Egypt’s net international reserves (NIR) rose to a record $57.21 billion at the end of August 2026, according to provisional data released by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) on September 7.
The figure was up approximately $920.6 million, or 1.6%, from $56.29 billion at the end of July. It also marked a 16.2% increase from $49.25 billion in August 2025.
The latest increase extends the steady growth in Egypt’s foreign currency reserves during 2026, with the country’s reserve buffer rising by $5.76 billion, or 11.2%, since the end of December.
Reserves rise $5.8B since January
Egypt’s net international reserves stood at $51.45 billion at the end of December 2025 before rising to $52.59 billion in January.
The figure increased gradually during the following months, reaching $52.75 billion in February, $52.83 billion in March and $53.01 billion in April. Reserves stood at $53.13 billion in May before recording a sharper increase to $55.07 billion in June.
They subsequently rose to $56.29 billion in July and reached $57.21 billion at the end of August.
Compared with August 2025, reserves are now approximately $7.96 billion higher.
Gold supports August increase
The August increase was driven in part by a rise in the value of Egypt’s gold holdings.
According to data reported following the CBE’s announcement, the value of gold held within Egypt’s reserve portfolio increased by approximately $1.92 billion during August to $19.06 billion, compared with $17.14 billion in July.
Meanwhile, the value of foreign currencies held within the reserve portfolio declined by around $1.16 billion to $37.55 billion. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) increased by approximately $160 million to $606 million.
Egypt’s reserves comprise a mix of major international currencies, including the US dollar, euro, pound sterling, Japanese yen and Chinese yuan, as well as gold and SDRs. Changes in the dollar value of these assets can reflect fluctuations in international exchange rates and asset prices, in addition to changes in the volume of holdings.
Pound remains near EGP 51 per dollar
The latest CBE exchange-rate data available on September 8 showed the US dollar trading at EGP 50.86 for buying and EGP 50.96 for selling.
The CBE’s weighted average market exchange rate stood at EGP 50.9082 per US dollar.
The rise in reserves comes as Egypt continues to build its external liquidity buffer, which supports the country’s ability to meet external obligations and finance essential imports.
With reserves now approaching $57.3 billion, Egypt’s net international reserves have increased by nearly $8 billion from their level a year earlier and by approximately $5.8 billion since the start of 2026.
