Gross foreign exchange reserves in South Africa dropped slightly to $75.43 billion in September 2026 from a three-month high of $75.95 billion in the previous month. The decline was mainly driven by a lower US dollar gold price, foreign exchange and asset price valuation adjustments, and foreign exchange payments made on behalf of the government. Gold reserves decreased to $16.90 billion from $18.00 billion, while SDR holdings also moderated to $6.67 billion from $6.70 billion. On the other hand, the forward position, which represents the central bank’s unsettled forward swaps, rose to $0.587 billion from $0.565 billion. Foreign exchange reserves also increased to $51.87 billion from $51.26 billion in August. source: South African Reserve Bank

Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa decreased to 75429 USD Million in September from 75954 USD Million in August of 2026. Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa averaged 38262.20 USD Million from 1998 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 81060.00 USD Million in February of 2026 and a record low of 5316.00 USD Million in September of 1998. This page provides the latest reported value for - South Africa Foreign Exchange Reserves - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. South Africa Foreign Exchange Reserves - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on October of 2026.

Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa decreased to 75429 USD Million in September from 75954 USD Million in August of 2026. Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa is expected to be 80000.00 USD Million by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Africa Foreign Exchange Reserves is projected to trend around 76000.00 USD Million in 2027 and 78000.00 USD Million in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-07 06:00 AM
Foreign Exchange Reserves
Aug $75.95B $73.45B $72.4B
2026-10-07 06:00 AM
Foreign Exchange Reserves
Sep $75.43B $75.95B $77.0B
2026-11-06 06:00 AM
Foreign Exchange Reserves
Oct $75.43B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Banks Balance Sheet 9252348.00 9137546.00 ZAR Million Aug 2026
Central Bank Balance Sheet 1280080.00 1273238.00 ZAR Million Aug 2026
Foreign Exchange Reserves 75429.00 75954.00 USD Million Sep 2026
Interbank Rate 7.10 7.10 percent Oct 2026
Interest Rate 7.25 7.00 percent Sep 2026
Lending Rate 10.75 10.50 percent Sep 2026
Loans to Private Sector 5414262.00 5370071.00 ZAR Million Aug 2026
Money Supply M0 558111.00 552305.00 ZAR Million Aug 2026
Money Supply M1 3204984.00 3000540.00 ZAR Million Aug 2026
Money Supply M2 5018479.00 4942453.00 ZAR Million Aug 2026
M3 Money Supply YoY 6142378.00 6108725.00 ZAR Million Aug 2026


South Africa Foreign Exchange Reserves
In South Africa, Foreign Exchange Reserves are the foreign assets held or controlled by the country central bank. The reserves are made of gold or a specific currency. They can also be special drawing rights and marketable securities denominated in foreign currencies like treasury bills, government bonds, corporate bonds and equities and foreign currency loans.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
75429.00 75954.00 81060.00 5316.00 1998 - 2026 USD Million Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
South Africa Forex Reserves Fall in September
Gross foreign exchange reserves in South Africa dropped slightly to $75.43 billion in September 2026 from a three-month high of $75.95 billion in the previous month. The decline was mainly driven by a lower US dollar gold price, foreign exchange and asset price valuation adjustments, and foreign exchange payments made on behalf of the government. Gold reserves decreased to $16.90 billion from $18.00 billion, while SDR holdings also moderated to $6.67 billion from $6.70 billion. On the other hand, the forward position, which represents the central bank’s unsettled forward swaps, rose to $0.587 billion from $0.565 billion. Foreign exchange reserves also increased to $51.87 billion from $51.26 billion in August.
2026-10-07
South Africa Forex Reserves Rise to 3-Month High
Gross foreign exchange reserves in South Africa rose to $75.95 billion in August 2026 from $73.45 billion in the previous month. It marked the largest amount since May, primarily due to an increase in the US dollar gold price, the maturity of forward exchange contracts conducted for liquidity management purposes, and valuation adjustments stemming from movements in foreign exchange and asset prices. These gains were partly offset by foreign exchange payments made on behalf of the government. Gold reserves increased to $17.995 billion from $16.375 billion in July, foreign exchange reserves rose to $51.264 billion from $50.406 billion, and SDR holdings edged up to $6.695 billion from $6.67 billion. Meanwhile, the forward position, which represents the central bank’s unsettled forward and swap transactions, declined to $0.565 billion from $1.185 billion.
2026-09-07
South Africa Forex Reserves Fall to 8-Month Low
Gross foreign exchange reserves in South Africa fell to USD 73.45 billion in July 2026 from USD 74.11 billion in the previous month, marking the lowest level since November last year. The decline was mainly driven by lower foreign currency reserves, which fell to USD 50.41 billion from USD 51.22 billion. In contrast, gold reserves increased to USD 16.38 billion from USD 16.26 billion, while SDR holdings rose to USD 6.67 billion from USD 6.63 billion. The forward position increased to USD 1.19 billion from USD 0.59 billion, while foreign currency deposits received by the central bank declined to USD 2.88 billion from USD 3.36 billion. The South African Reserve Bank said the changes reflected a USD 150 million foreign loan from the OPEC Fund, higher US dollar gold prices and valuation adjustments, partly offset by government foreign exchange payments, including repayment of a USD 574 million foreign loan.
2026-08-10