Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s foreign currency reserves continued their upward trajectory toward the end of 2025, supported by a sharp increase in remittances from Egyptians working abroad, according to figures released by the Central Bank of Egypt.
The central bank said net international reserves rose to $50.216 billion at the end of November 2025, up from $50.071 billion at the end of October, marking an increase of $145 million in a single month. The rise reflects sustained inflows of foreign currency at a time when Egypt has been seeking to strengthen its external financial position amid global economic uncertainty.
In parallel, remittances from Egyptians abroad recorded unprecedented growth during the first eleven months of the year. The central bank reported that transfers from overseas workers surged by 42.5 percent between January and November 2025, reaching an all-time high of approximately $37.5 billion. This compares with about $26.3 billion during the same period in 2024, underscoring the growing role of remittances as a key source of hard currency for the Egyptian economy.
Monthly data also point to strong momentum. In November alone, remittance inflows climbed by 39.9 percent year on year to around $3.6 billion, compared with roughly $2.6 billion in November 2024. Economists view the sustained monthly increases as an indicator of renewed confidence among expatriate Egyptians and improved conditions for transferring funds through official banking channels.
Foreign currency reserves are a critical buffer for Egypt, helping to cover imports, service external debt and support the stability of the national currency. The latest figures suggest that the central bank has been able to maintain reserve levels above the psychologically important $50 billion threshold, a level seen by analysts as reinforcing financial resilience.
Remittances have long been one of Egypt’s most reliable sources of foreign exchange, alongside tourism revenues, Suez Canal receipts and foreign direct investment. The strong growth recorded in 2025 reflects both the size of the Egyptian diaspora and policy measures aimed at encouraging transfers through the formal banking system.
While challenges persist, including global economic volatility and regional geopolitical tensions, the rise in reserves and record-breaking remittance inflows provide a measure of reassurance for policymakers. Officials see these trends as supporting broader efforts to stabilize the economy, enhance liquidity in foreign currency markets and sustain growth in the coming period.
