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. source: South African Reserve Bank

Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa increased to 80193 USD Million in January from 75890 USD Million in December of 2025. Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa averaged 37356.14 USD Million from 1998 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 80193.00 USD Million in January 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 February of 2026.

Foreign Exchange Reserves in South Africa increased to 80193 USD Million in January from 75890 USD Million in December of 2025. 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 75000.00 USD Million in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-01-08 06:00 AM
Foreign Exchange Reserves
Dec $75.89B $72.07B $73.0B
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 $80.19B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Banks Balance Sheet 8972364.00 8944186.00 ZAR Million Dec 2025
Central Bank Balance Sheet 1318176.00 1292080.00 ZAR Million Dec 2025
Foreign Exchange Reserves 80193.00 75890.00 USD Million Jan 2026
Interbank Rate 6.59 6.60 percent Feb 2026
Interest Rate 6.75 6.75 percent Jan 2026
Lending Rate 10.25 10.25 percent Dec 2025
Loans to Private Sector 5237674.00 5165677.00 ZAR Million Dec 2025
Money Supply M0 563633.00 517054.00 ZAR Million Dec 2025
Money Supply M1 2921787.00 3063617.00 ZAR Million Dec 2025
Money Supply M2 4835694.00 4799269.00 ZAR Million Dec 2025
M3 Money Supply YoY 5882466.00 5845479.00 ZAR Million Dec 2025


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
80193.00 75890.00 80193.00 5316.00 1998 - 2026 USD Million Monthly
Current Prices, NSA

News Stream
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
South Africa Forex Reserves Post Historical High
Gross foreign exchange reserves in South Africa rose to a new historical high of $72.07 billion in November 2025 from $71.55 billion in the previous month. Increases were recorded in gold reserves ($16.838 billion vs $16.210 billion in October) and SDR holdings ($6.502 billion vs $6.501 billion). On the other hand, foreign currency reserves posted a decrease ($48.728 billion vs $48.839 billion), while the forward position, representing the central bank’s unsettled or swap transactions, fell to $0.552 billion in November from $0.602 in the preceding period.
2025-12-05