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Posted By OrePulse
Published: 08 Jul, 2025 08:46

Top 10 African countries with the highest reserves of foreign exchange and gold mid-2025

By: Business insider Africa

High foreign exchange and gold reserves are becoming increasingly important for African countries seeking to establish economic stability and geopolitical power.

This importance is emphasized in the Global Firepower Index, which assesses a country's strength based on not only military assets but also economic factors such as national reserves.

High foreign and gold reserves provide a significant buffer against economic shocks.

These reserves provide a safety net for African countries that are frequently hit by volatile commodity prices, political instability, and currency changes.

They allow governments to stabilize currency rates, pay for vital imports, and meet foreign debt commitments without triggering a balance-of-payments crisis.

Countries with low reserves are significantly more exposed to external influences.

An unexpected decline in export profits, for example, can rapidly drain reserves if there is no buffer.

On the other hand, countries with large reserves may weather economic crises with greater confidence, preserving investor faith and domestic stability.

Top 10 African country with the highest foreign exchange and gold reserves in 2025

When a local currency is under pressure, a central bank with substantial reserves can intervene and sell foreign currency to stabilize its value.

This is especially important in Africa, where several currencies are experiencing severe depreciation due to inflation, political insecurity, or decreased export profits.

Furthermore, international investors and rating agencies are actively monitoring a country's reserves.

High reserves indicate good economic management and boost confidence among foreign lenders, multilateral institutions, and private investors.

With that said, here are the African countries with the highest reserves of foreign exchange and gold, according to Global Firepower.

Top 10 African countries with the highest reserves of foreign exchange and gold mid-2025

Rank  

Country     Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold     Global rank
1  Libya     $92,427,000,000     32nd
2 Algeria    $81,217,000,000     33rd
3 South Africa    $62,492,000,000     38th 
4 Nigeria    $41,349,000,000     48th
5 Morocco    $36,328,000,000     51st
6 Egypt    $33,070,000,000     54th
7 Angola     $13,942,000,000     69th
8 Tunisia    $9,240,000,000     79th
9 Ivory Coast     $7,583,484,000     84th
10 Kenya    $7,342,000,000     86th

 

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