The Saudi riyal's exchange rate against the Egyptian pound saw noticeable fluctuations on Monday, January 5, 2026, at the start of trading in both public and private banks operating in the Egyptian banking sector. This price movement is being closely monitored by investors and citizens, given the significant economic importance of the Saudi currency in the Egyptian market.
The economic importance of the Saudi Riyal exchange rate
The Saudi riyal occupies a pivotal position in Egypt's foreign currency basket, being one of the most sought-after and traded currencies after the US dollar. This importance stems from several key factors, most notably the substantial remittances sent by Egyptians working in Saudi Arabia, which constitute a major source of foreign currency for Egypt. Furthermore, the robust trade volume between Cairo and Riyadh plays a significant role in determining the demand for the riyal to cover letters of credit for imports.
The price of the riyal is also closely linked to religious tourism seasons (Hajj and Umrah), as demand for it increases seasonally to cover the expenses of pilgrims, which may sometimes lead to slight price movements based on the supply and demand mechanisms that govern the free banking market.
Details of exchange rates in Egyptian banks
Below is a detailed breakdown of the buying and selling prices of the Saudi Riyal in the most prominent Egyptian banks today:
The price of the Egyptian riyal at the Central Bank of Egypt
The average exchange rate at the Central Bank of Egypt recorded relative stability at 12.67 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.71 Egyptian pounds for selling, which is the indicative rate that reflects the average transactions in the market.
The price of the Saudi Riyal at the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr
In the two largest government banks, the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr, the price of the riyal stabilized at 12.64 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.71 Egyptian pounds for selling, reflecting the availability of the currency and meeting customer demands.
Riyal exchange rates in private and investment banks
- Commercial International Bank (CIB): Recorded 12.66 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.71 Egyptian pounds for selling.
- Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank: offered the highest buying price at 12.68 pounds, while the selling price was 12.71 pounds.
- Bank of Alexandria: Recorded 12.67 pounds for buying and 12.71 pounds for selling.
- Suez Canal Bank: The price reached 12.63 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.72 Egyptian pounds for selling.
- Faisal Islamic Bank: Recorded 12.63 pounds for buying and 12.70 pounds for selling.
- National Bank of Kuwait: Recorded 12.59 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.71 Egyptian pounds for selling.
- Qatar National Bank (QNB): Recorded 12.62 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.73 Egyptian pounds for selling.
Traders are advised to monitor the official bank screens moment by moment, as slight changes in prices may occur during official working hours based on trading activity.
