The dollar exchange rate against the Egyptian pound exceeds 52 in Egyptian banks

The Egyptian exchange market witnessed sharp and sudden movements during today’s trading, as the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Egyptian pound rose by 4.3%, exceeding the 52 pound mark in a number of major banks, which represents a qualitative shift in the course of the local currency after a period of relative stability.

The impact of geopolitical tensions on emerging markets

This significant increase coincides with a wave of foreign investor withdrawals from debt instruments and emerging markets, amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The military operations exchanged between the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other, have cast a dark shadow over international investors' risk appetite.

It is well known economically that in times of crisis and war, investors resort to "safe havens," primarily the US dollar and gold, which leads to the withdrawal of foreign liquidity (hot money) from emerging markets such as Egypt, which explains the current pressure on the local currency and the increased demand for the greenback.

Details of exchange rates in Egyptian banks

According to careful monitoring and statistics compiled by “Al Arabiya Business”, prices varied in different banks, with the US dollar recording new record levels:

• Highest exchange rate: The dollar reached a level of 52.15 Egyptian pounds for buying and 52.25 Egyptian pounds for selling in Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Bank of Alexandria, Midbank, Kuwait Finance House, Qatar National Bank, and Suez Canal Bank.
• Major public and private banks: At Banque Misr, the dollar was trading at 52.14 Egyptian pounds for buying and 52.24 Egyptian pounds for selling. Meanwhile, at the Commercial International Bank (CIB), the largest private bank, it was trading at approximately 52.12 Egyptian pounds for buying and 52.22 Egyptian pounds for selling.
• Other levels: The dollar recorded around 51.82 Egyptian pounds for buying and 51.92 Egyptian pounds for selling at the National Bank of Egypt, the Arab International Bank and SAIB Bank.
• The lowest exchange rate: Emirates NBD Bank offered a rate of 49.99 Egyptian pounds for buying and 50.09 Egyptian pounds for selling.
• Central Bank: The average exchange rates at the Central Bank of Egypt were recorded at 50.09 Egyptian pounds for buying and 50.23 Egyptian pounds for selling.

Economic context and the performance of the pound

It is worth noting that these moves come after a strong performance by the Egyptian pound at the end of 2025, having risen by 6.7% against the dollar since the beginning of last year. This performance was supported by a record surge in remittances from Egyptians working abroad, which are one of the country's most important sources of foreign currency, in addition to the restoration of liquidity in the banking sector and the elimination of the parallel market.

Experts confirm that the flexible exchange rate system currently followed by Egypt allows for the absorption of external shocks, as the price reflects the real forces of supply and demand, thus protecting foreign currency reserves from being depleted in defending a specific currency price, and enhancing the confidence of international institutions in the Egyptian economy despite the current regional challenges.