Gross foreign exchange reserves in South Africa rose to $81.060 billion in February 2026, hitting a fresh record high, up from $80.193 billion in the previous month. This was driven largely by increases in gold reserves ($20.930 billion vs $20.670 billion in January) and foreign currency reserves ($53.500 billion vs $52.857). At the same time, the forward position, representing the central bank’s unsettled or swap transactions, increased $0.010 billion to $0.574 billion from $0.564 billion in the prior month. In contrast, SDR holdings saw a decrease of $0.036 billion to $6.630 billion from $6.666 billion. source: South African Reserve Bank

Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa increased to 81060 USD Million in February from 80190 USD Million in January of 2026. Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa averaged 37485.43 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 March of 2026.

Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa increased to 81060 USD Million in February from 80190 USD Million in January of 2026. Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa is expected to be 84000.00 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 75000.00 USD Million in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-06 06:00 AM
Foreign Exchange Reserves
Jan $80.19B $75.89B $78.0B
2026-03-06 06:00 AM
Foreign Exchange Reserves
Feb $81.06B $80.19B $82.0B
2026-04-09 06:00 AM
Foreign Exchange Reserves
Mar $81.06B $84.0B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Banks Balance Sheet 8988651.00 8972364.00 ZAR Million Jan 2026
Central Bank Balance Sheet 1346237.00 1333171.00 ZAR Million Feb 2026
Foreign Exchange Reserves 81060.00 80190.00 USD Million Feb 2026
Interbank Rate 6.60 6.60 percent Mar 2026
Interest Rate 6.75 6.75 percent Feb 2026
Lending Rate 10.25 10.25 percent Mar 2026
Loans to Private Sector 5239718.00 5236150.00 ZAR Million Jan 2026
Money Supply M0 546100.00 563633.00 ZAR Million Jan 2026
Money Supply M1 2905962.00 2921787.00 ZAR Million Jan 2026
Money Supply M2 4788203.00 4835694.00 ZAR Million Jan 2026
M3 Money Supply YoY 5859771.00 5861908.00 ZAR Million Jan 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
81060.00 80190.00 81060.00 5316.00 1998 - 2026 USD Million Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
South Africa Forex Reserves Rise to New Peak
Gross foreign exchange reserves in South Africa rose to $81.060 billion in February 2026, hitting a fresh record high, up from $80.193 billion in the previous month. This was driven largely by increases in gold reserves ($20.930 billion vs $20.670 billion in January) and foreign currency reserves ($53.500 billion vs $52.857). At the same time, the forward position, representing the central bank’s unsettled or swap transactions, increased $0.010 billion to $0.574 billion from $0.564 billion in the prior month. In contrast, SDR holdings saw a decrease of $0.036 billion to $6.630 billion from $6.666 billion.
2026-03-06
South Africa Forex Reserves Hit Record High
Gross foreign exchange reserves in South Africa rose to $80.193 billion in January 2026, the largest value since records began in 1998, from $75.892 billion in the previous month. This was driven by increases in gold reserves ($20.670 billion vs $17.493 billion in December 2025), SDR holdings ($6.666 billion vs $6.604 billion), and foreign currency reserves ($52.857 billion vs $51.795 billion). Meanwhile, the forward position, representing the central bank's unsettled or swap transactions, decreased sharply to $0.564 billion in January from $1.161 billion in the prior month.
2026-02-06
South Africa Forex Reserves Post New Historical High
Gross foreign exchange reserves in South Africa climbed to a record high of $75.89 billion in December 2025 from $72.07 billion in the previous month, reflecting gains across all reserve components. Foreign exchange reserves rose to $51.795 billion from $48.728 billion in November, while gold reserves increased to $17.493 billion from $16.838 billion. The central bank’s forward position representing unsettled and swap transactions also improved sharply to $1.161 billion from $0.552 billion last month. Additionally, the SDR holdings also edged higher to $6.604 billion from $6.502 in the preceding period.
2026-01-08