Egypt’s net international reserves increased by $1.14 billion in January, reaching about $52.6 billion, up from $51.45 billion in December 2025, supported mainly by a sharp rise in gold holdings at the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE).
According to data released by the CBE, the value of gold reserves climbed by nearly $2.6 billion to $20.73 billion at the end of January, compared with $18.17 billion a month earlier.
In contrast, the value of foreign currency reserves declined by around $1.53 billion, falling to $31.7 billion from $33.2 billion in December.
Egypt’s foreign reserves are composed of gold, Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) at the International Monetary Fund, and a basket of major international currencies, including the US dollar, euro, British pound, Japanese yen, and Chinese yuan.
The distribution of these holdings is determined based on exchange rate movements and the stability of each currency in global markets, in line with a strategy set by the CBE.
An increase in foreign reserves is widely seen as a positive indicator for the Egyptian economy, as it strengthens confidence among international institutions and supports prospects for credit rating upgrades.
In this context, S&P Global Ratings raised Egypt’s sovereign credit rating by one notch to B from B- in September, citing continued economic and financial reforms.
The agency pointed to a recovery in GDP growth, higher tourism revenues, increased remittances from Egyptians abroad, and an improvement in net financial inflows.
