South Africa experienced a significant boost in its gross foreign exchange reserves in January 2026, reaching an all-time high of $80.193 billion. This marks the highest recorded reserves since 1998 and shows a notable increase from the $75.892 billion reported in December 2025.
The primary driver behind this surge is the rise in gold reserves, which climbed to $20.670 billion, up from $17.493 billion in the previous month. Alongside gold, there were also increases in Special Drawing Rights (SDR) holdings and other foreign currency assets.
Key Highlights
- Gold reserves: Increased significantly to $20.670 billion.
- Special Drawing Rights (SDR): Experienced growth contributing to overall reserves.
- Other foreign currency assets: Also showed upward movement.
This rise in forex reserves reflects South Africa’s strong management of its external assets amid ongoing global economic uncertainties. The financial milestone is expected to positively impact the country’s economic stability and currency strength.
Analysts view this development as a positive signal for investment and trade prospects in South Africa, highlighting the country’s resilience and adaptability in a dynamic global economic landscape.
For more updates on South Africa’s economic performance and other global financial news, stay tuned to Questiqa World News.
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