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. source: South African Reserve Bank

Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa decreased to 73450 USD Million in July from 74110 USD Million in June of 2026. Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa averaged 38043.94 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 August of 2026.

Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa decreased to 73450 USD Million in July from 74110 USD Million in June of 2026. Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa is expected to be 70000.00 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
2026-07-07 06:00 AM
Foreign Exchange Reserves
Jun $74.11B $76.58B $76.4B
2026-08-07 06:00 AM
Foreign Exchange Reserves
Jul $73.45B $74.11B $72.0B
2026-09-07 06:00 AM
Foreign Exchange Reserves
Aug $73.45B $72.4B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Banks Balance Sheet 9216914.00 9079609.00 ZAR Million Jun 2026
Central Bank Balance Sheet 1273238.00 1272741.00 ZAR Million Jul 2026
Foreign Exchange Reserves 73450.00 74110.00 USD Million Jul 2026
Interbank Rate 6.85 6.85 percent Aug 2026
Interest Rate 7.00 7.00 percent Jul 2026
Lending Rate 10.50 10.50 percent Jul 2026
Loans to Private Sector 5367759.00 5355723.00 ZAR Million Jun 2026
Money Supply M0 561134.00 551651.00 ZAR Million Jun 2026
Money Supply M1 3158504.00 3140298.00 ZAR Million Jun 2026
Money Supply M2 4889290.00 4878306.00 ZAR Million Jun 2026
M3 Money Supply YoY 6109974.00 6077956.00 ZAR Million Jun 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
73450.00 74110.00 81060.00 5316.00 1998 - 2026 USD Million Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
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
South Africa Forex Reserves Drop to 7-Month Low
Gross foreign exchange reserves in South Africa declined to $74.115 billion in June 2026 from $76.58 billion in the previous month. This was the smallest amount since November 2025, primarily attributed to the decrease in the US dollar gold price, valuation adjustments, and foreign exchange payments made on behalf of the government. Gold reserves fell to $16.26 billion from $18.27 billion, while foreign currency reserves decreased to $51.22 billion from $51.66 billion. Meanwhile, SDR holdings were little changed at $6.633 billion, compared with $6.648 billion in May. The forward position, which represents the central bank's unsettled forward and swap transactions, also remained broadly stable at $0.585 billion, compared with $0.584 billion in the prior month.
2026-07-07
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