Gross foreign exchange reserves in South Africa fell to $76.58 billion in May 2026 from $77.09 billion in the previous month, remaining at their lowest level since December 2025. The decline in gross reserves and international liquidity was mainly driven by a drop in the US dollar value of gold holdings and government-related foreign exchange outflows. Gold reserves decreased ($18.274 billion vs $18.700 billion in April), while foreign currency reserves also declined ($51.661 billion vs $51.725 billion). At the same time, the forward position, representing the central bank's unsettled forward or swap transactions, edged down to $0.584 billion from $0.586 billion in the previous month, while SDR holdings decreased by $0.016 billion to $6.648 billion from $6.664 billion. source: South African Reserve Bank

Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa decreased to 76583 USD Million in May from 77090 USD Million in April of 2026. Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa averaged 37834.33 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 June of 2026.

Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa decreased to 76583 USD Million in May from 77090 USD Million in April of 2026. Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa is expected to be 76400.00 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
2026-05-08 06:00 AM
Foreign Exchange Reserves
Apr $77.09B $77.76B $77.0B
2026-06-05 06:00 AM
Foreign Exchange Reserves
May $76.58B $77.09B $76.8B
2026-07-07 06:00 AM
Foreign Exchange Reserves
Jun $76.58B $76.4B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Banks Balance Sheet 9043317.00 9081083.00 ZAR Million Apr 2026
Central Bank Balance Sheet 1351265.00 1383747.00 ZAR Million Apr 2026
Foreign Exchange Reserves 76583.00 77090.00 USD Million May 2026
Interbank Rate 6.86 6.85 percent Jun 2026
Interest Rate 7.00 6.75 percent May 2026
Lending Rate 10.25 10.25 percent May 2026
Loans to Private Sector 5333966.00 5289884.00 ZAR Million Apr 2026
Money Supply M0 554112.00 541072.00 ZAR Million Apr 2026
Money Supply M1 3024348.00 3157977.00 ZAR Million Apr 2026
Money Supply M2 4910387.00 4875388.00 ZAR Million Apr 2026
M3 Money Supply YoY 6046877.00 5967908.00 ZAR Million Apr 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
76583.00 77090.00 81060.00 5316.00 1998 - 2026 USD Million Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
South Africa Forex Reserves Fall in May
Gross foreign exchange reserves in South Africa fell to $76.58 billion in May 2026 from $77.09 billion in the previous month, remaining at their lowest level since December 2025. The decline in gross reserves and international liquidity was mainly driven by a drop in the US dollar value of gold holdings and government-related foreign exchange outflows. Gold reserves decreased ($18.274 billion vs $18.700 billion in April), while foreign currency reserves also declined ($51.661 billion vs $51.725 billion). At the same time, the forward position, representing the central bank's unsettled forward or swap transactions, edged down to $0.584 billion from $0.586 billion in the previous month, while SDR holdings decreased by $0.016 billion to $6.648 billion from $6.664 billion.
2026-06-05
South Africa Forex Reserves at 4-Month Low
Gross foreign exchange reserves fell to $77.09 billion in April 2026, from $77.76 billion in the previous month, marking the lowest level since December 2025. The changes in gross reserves and the international liquidity position were mainly due to a foreign exchange loan received from the French Development Agency (AFD) on behalf of the government, amounting to US$235.8 million, as well as an increase in the US dollar gold price and valuation adjustments due to foreign exchange and asset price movements. Foreign exchange reserves specifically declined to $51.7 billion from $52.7 billion in March. In contrast, gold reserves increased slightly to $18.7 billion from $18.5 billion, while Special Drawing Rights (SDR) holdings edged up to $6.7 billion from $6.6 billion. Meanwhile, the central bank’s forward position, reflecting unsettled or swap transactions, remained unchanged at $0.59 billion. In April 2025, the reserves stood at $67.59 billion.
2026-05-08
South Africa Forex Reserves Drop in March
Gross foreign exchange reserves in South Africa decreased to $77.76 billion in March 2026 from a record $81.01 billion in February. The changes in the gross reserves and international liquidity position were mainly due to the decrease in the US dollar gold price, valuation adjustments due to foreign exchange and asset price movements and, the foreign exchange payments made on behalf of government. Gold reserves fell to $18.50 billion from $20.93 billion in the previous month, SDR holdings edged down to $6.59 billion from $6.63 billion, and foreign exchange reserves dropped to $52.67 billion from $53.50 billion. Meanwhile, the forward position, representing the central bank’s unsettled or swap transactions, rose slightly to $0.59 billion from $0.57 billion. In March 2025, the reserves stood at $67.45 billion.
2026-04-09