June 10, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese currency has reached an all-time low compared to international money because of heavy betting and increased requests for imports as there is a critical lack of foreign cash reserves.
The native currency has seen a continuous drop due to the ongoing conflict and an expanding trade imbalance, characterized by declining exports and increasing imports.
From the start of this year, currency exchange rates have increased substantially, as the U.S. dollar went up from 3,750 pounds to a range of 4,200 to 4,300 pounds.
Traders operating in the parallel market informed Sudan Tribune on Tuesday that the local currency dropped to 4,400 against one U.S. dollar due to increased demand for dollars and other foreign exchange.
The Saudi riyal climbed to 1,140 Sudanese pounds, the UAE dirham touched 1,171 Sudanese pounds, the euro was being exchanged for 5,058 Sudanese pounds, and the British pound rose to 5,810 Sudanese pounds, with the Egyptian pound standing at 90 Sudanese pounds.
A merchant, who requested to remain unnamed, mentioned that there is strong interest in foreign exchange to support the purchase of fuels, along with betting actions from forex dealers aiming to obtain significant amounts of dollars.
Financial analyst Waleed Dalil stated that the decline in the value of the currency presents significant economic difficulties impacting people's everyday experiences, highlighting that inflation has hit unprecedented levels because of the war's impact on buildings and banking systems.
The burden of finance has completely moved to the informal sector since formal banks cannot supply foreign exchange for importers and residents, causing exchange rates to be influenced by intense speculation and rush purchases, Dalil said.
Economic specialist Haitham Mohamed Fathi stated that Sudan is facing significant decline in key production areas such as manufacturing, mining, petroleum, and farming, with this situation deteriorating throughout the conflict.
Merchants, illegal traders, and gamblers have taken advantage of the nation's changing economic system, with a commerce and services-based economy growing while manufacturing and farming decline, Fathi noted.
The stability of the Sudanese currency relies on the transitional government's capacity to carry out essential structural changes, such as overhauling banking systems, controlling price increases, and boosting industries to rejuvenate the economic situation, according to Fathi.
Fathi pointed out that the increasing discussion about importing critical supplies, especially fuel, has had a direct impact on price levels throughout the manufacturing and transportation networks, with conditions further deteriorating due to the loss of oil-producing regions and unstable revenue streams from South Sudan's petroleum exports.
The Sudanese economy is trapped in a complicated crisis where economic, monetary, and political factors overlap, according to Fathi, who added that this situation has been worsened by insufficient global collaboration and the suspension of external financial support.
The drop in the value of the pound has increased market anxieties, causing the currency to be stuck in a harmful loop of falling exchange rates and rising prices, which leaves the central bank with few options for dealing with today's financial situation, said Fathi.
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