Exchange Rate
16.5804
Daily Change
0.0890 0.54%
Monthly
0.90%
Yearly
-3.88%
Q4 Forecast
16.4697
South African Rand - Summary

The South African rand weakened to around 16.5 per US dollar on Thursday, giving back some of its recent gains after reaching one-month highs. Deteriorating risk sentiment amid mounting geopolitical tensions pushed oil prices higher, weighing on the currency given South Africa’s reliance on fuel imports. At the same time, falling prices of key precious metals, including gold and PGMs, removed another source of support. Meanwhile, investors continued to assess the government's medium-term budget review, which pointed to improved public finances and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana also announced temporary fuel levy cuts to ease cost-of-living pressures. Latest data showed headline consumer inflation ticked up to 4.5% yoy in September from 4.4% in August, moving further away from the central bank's 3% target but below the expected 4.7%. Economists expect a sharper acceleration in October after fuel prices hit a record high.

South African Rand - Stats

The USD/ZAR exchange rate rose to 16.5804 on October 23, 2026, up 0.54% from the previous session. Over the past month, the South African Rand has weakened 0.90%, but it's up by 3.88% over the last 12 months. Historically, the USDZAR reached an all time high of 19.93 in April of 2025. South African Rand - data, forecasts, historical chart - was last updated on October 25 of 2026.

South African Rand - Forecast

The USD/ZAR exchange rate rose to 16.5804 on October 23, 2026, up 0.54% from the previous session. Over the past month, the South African Rand has weakened 0.90%, but it's up by 3.88% over the last 12 months. The South African Rand is expected to trade at 16.35 by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate it to trade at 15.85 in 12 months time.



Crosses Price Day Year Date
USDZAR 16.5804 0.0890 0.54% -3.88% Oct/23
EURZAR 18.5976 0.0943 0.51% -7.33% Oct/23
GBPZAR 22.1707 0.0717 0.32% -3.94% Oct/23
AUDZAR 11.6588 0.0814 0.70% 3.78% Oct/23
NZDZAR 9.4489 0.0785 0.84% -4.73% Oct/23
ZARJPY 9.4501 -0.0561 -0.59% 6.67% Oct/23
ZARCNY 0.4020 -0.0027 -0.66% -2.70% Oct/23
ZARCHF 0.0497 -0.0001 -0.14% 7.66% Oct/23
ZARCAD 0.0843 -0.0006 -0.72% 3.94% Oct/23
ZARMXN 1.1238 -0.0113 -0.99% 5.03% Oct/23
ZARINR 5.7380 -0.0044 -0.08% 13.21% Oct/23
ZARBRL 0.2998 -0.0061 -1.99% -3.54% Oct/23
ZARRUB 4.8610 -0.1052 -2.12% 3.60% Oct/23
ZARKRW 79.7870 -0.5876 -0.73% -3.83% Oct/23
ZARIDR 1,090.1557 -5.9914 -0.55% 13.74% Oct/23
ZARARS 92.1706 -0.4534 -0.49% 7.64% Oct/23
ZARCZK 1.3066 -0.0058 -0.44% 8.06% Oct/23
ZARDKK 0.4021 -0.0020 -0.50% 8.32% Oct/23
ZARHUF 19.6330 -0.1499 -0.76% 1.22% Oct/23
 Currencies
 ZAR...
 ...ZAR



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
United States Inflation Rate 3.70 3.40 percent Sep 2026
South Africa Inflation Rate 4.50 4.40 percent Sep 2026
South Africa Interest Rate 7.25 7.00 percent Sep 2026
United States Fed Funds Interest Rate 4.00 3.75 percent Sep 2026
United States Unemployment Rate 4.20 4.10 percent Sep 2026
South Africa Unemployment Rate 33.60 32.70 percent Jun 2026

South African Rand
The USDZAR spot exchange rate specifies how much one currency, the USD, is currently worth in terms of the other, the ZAR. While the USDZAR spot exchange rate is quoted and exchanged in the same day, the USDZAR forward rate is quoted today but for delivery and payment on a specific future date.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
16.58 16.49 19.93 2.71 1992 - 2026 Daily

News Stream
South African Rand Weakens
The South African rand weakened to around 16.5 per US dollar on Thursday, giving back some of its recent gains after reaching one-month highs. Deteriorating risk sentiment amid mounting geopolitical tensions pushed oil prices higher, weighing on the currency given South Africa’s reliance on fuel imports. At the same time, falling prices of key precious metals, including gold and PGMs, removed another source of support. Meanwhile, investors continued to assess the government's medium-term budget review, which pointed to improved public finances and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana also announced temporary fuel levy cuts to ease cost-of-living pressures. Latest data showed headline consumer inflation ticked up to 4.5% yoy in September from 4.4% in August, moving further away from the central bank's 3% target but below the expected 4.7%. Economists expect a sharper acceleration in October after fuel prices hit a record high.
2026-10-22
South African Rand Hovers at 1-Month High
The South African rand hovered around 16.4 per USD, close to its highest level since September 23, after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana unveiled the medium-term budget statement that provides for a temporary reduction in the fuel levy amid elevated global oil prices. Data released earlier showed South Africa's inflation rate rose further to 4.5% in September from 4.4% in August, though slightly below the expected 4.7%, mainly due to rising domestic fuel prices. Meanwhile, the statement underscored the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline, with estimates for both the debt-to-GDP ratio and the budget deficit for the current fiscal year (2026/27) revised lower and expected to decline further in the years ahead. The Treasury also released draft fiscal anchor legislation for public comment, expected to be tabled in parliament next year. Nevertheless, the 2026 GDP growth forecast was cut to 1.2% from 1.6%.
2026-10-21
South African Rand at Near 3-Week High
The South African rand traded around 16.4 per USD, its strongest level since late September, amid a broadly stable US dollar and optimism ahead of the upcoming budget statement. Investors are turning their attention to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s medium-term budget policy statement due on October 21, amid expectations of stronger tax revenue collection, a narrowing fiscal deficit and a more sustainable debt trajectory. Progress on these fronts could strengthen confidence in South Africa’s public finances and support further sovereign credit rating upgrades. Still, record-high fuel prices, weak economic growth and pressure to increase public spending ahead of the November 4 local government elections pose challenges to sustained fiscal improvement. Attention will also be on September inflation and retail sales data for further insight into price pressures and the overall health of the South African economy.
2026-10-19