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.

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.

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.