Forex Round Up: South Sudan Pound Sees Minor Losses in First Week of August
(JUBA) – The South Sudanese Pound (SSP) experienced slight but consistent depreciation against major global and regional currencies during the first week of August 2025, according to the official exchange rates published by the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS).
The week opened on Monday, 4 August, with the SSP selling at SSP 4,588.09 per USD and buying at SSP 4,452.48. By Friday, 8 August, the selling rate had inched up to SSP 4,599.17, while the buying rate rose to SSP 4,463.23, reflecting a modest depreciation of the local currency against the US dollar. In dollar terms, this means the SSP lost approximately 0.24% of its value during the week.
This trend continued across most foreign currencies, including the euro and British pound, which both posted upward movements during the period under review.
WEEKLY SUMMARY – OFFICIAL EXCHANGE RATES
| Currency | Monday 4 Aug (Selling) | Friday 8 Aug (Selling) | Weekly Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD | SSP 4,588.09 (~USD 1.00) | SSP 4,599.17 (~USD 1.00) | -0.24% SSP loss |
| Euro | SSP 5,237.30 | SSP 5,374.13 | -2.61% SSP loss |
| GBP | SSP 6,048.48 | SSP 6,149.08 | -1.66% SSP loss |
| KSH | SSP 35.57 | SSP 35.65 | -0.23% SSP loss |
| UGX | SSP 1.28 | SSP 1.29 | -0.70% SSP loss |
| SDG | SSP 7.66 | SSP 7.68 | -0.26% SSP loss |
| ETB | SSP 33.22 | SSP 33.26 | -0.12% SSP loss |
| RWF | SSP 3.20 | SSP 3.19 | +0.16% SSP gain |
| TZS | SSP 1.82 | SSP 1.88 | -3.30% SSP loss |
| BIF | SSP 1.57 | SSP 1.51 | +3.83% SSP gain |
Currency Highlights
-
US Dollar (USD): Continued demand for the greenback in South Sudan sustained its slight upward movement. The SSP fell marginally by about SSP 11.08, reflecting continued dollar dominance in trade and remittances.
-
Euro (EUR): The euro posted a stronger weekly rise compared to the dollar, with an increase of SSP 136.82 in the selling rate.
-
British Pound (GBP): The SSP saw a drop of around SSP 100.60 against the pound, reflecting growing market pressures linked to global GBP demand.
-
East African Currencies: The Kenyan Shilling (KSH) and Ugandan Shilling (UGX) remained relatively stable. The SSP depreciated slightly, indicating persistent but mild currency pressure from neighbouring trade.
-
Ethiopian Birr (ETB) and Sudanese Pound (SDG) also saw marginal weekly gains against the SSP.
-
Burundian Franc (BIF): Interestingly, the SSP appreciated against the BIF over the week, showing a rare upward move of about 3.83%, suggesting possible bilateral trade shifts or seasonal flows.
The foreign exchange market in South Sudan remains heavily influenced by limited supply of hard currency, oil revenue fluctuations and regional trade dynamics. The recent minor losses in SSP value reflect the broader pressures on the country’s import heavy economy, especially given persistent demands for the USD to settle international obligations.
The South Sudanese economy is largely dollarised in key sectors such as housing, education, and imports, leaving the SSP vulnerable to external price pressures and inflation trends. Any fluctuation in global oil prices or delays in oil revenue remittances can directly impact forex liquidity in the domestic market.
Additionally, informal currency trading still plays a role in exchange rate dynamics, though official rates from the Bank of South Sudan provide a more regulated benchmark.
Economic Outlook
Despite the marginal depreciation in the local currency, the forex market remains relatively stable, with no sharp fluctuations noted. However, continued vigilance is necessary as regional and global factors such as interest rate decisions by the US Federal Reserve, tarrifs and geopolitical tensions can influence exchange rates even in relatively closed markets like South Sudan.
The government’s ongoing economic reforms and the central bank’s management of foreign reserves will be crucial to ensuring long term currency stability.
Official Exchange Rate Snapshot
Date: Friday, 8 August 2025
| Currency | Selling (SSP) | Buying (SSP) | USD Equivalent* |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD | 4,599.17 | 4,463.23 | $1.00 |
| EURO | 5,374.13 | 5,214.39 | ~$1.17 |
| GBP | 6,149.08 | 5,966.45 | ~$1.34 |
| KSH | 35.65 | 34.49 | ~$0.0078 |
| UGX | 1.29 | 1.25 | ~$0.00028 |
| SDG | 7.68 | 7.41 | ~$0.0017 |
| ETB | 33.26 | 31.89 | ~$0.0072 |
| RWF | 3.19 | 3.07 | ~$0.0007 |
| TZS | 1.88 | 1.79 | ~$0.00041 |
| BIF | 1.51 | 7.50 | ~$0.00033 |
*Approximated using Friday’s official USD rate.
DISCLAIMER
Access Radio® publishes market analysis reports and opinion pieces to inform the public and support independent financial literacy. The views and data expressed in this article are based on publicly available information from the Bank of South Sudan (www.boss.gov.ss) and do not constitute financial advice. Exchange rates are subject to change. Always consult a licensed financial expert before making currency or investment decisions. For contributions or comments, email news [at] radioyei.org.
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