The Saudi riyal's exchange rate against the Egyptian pound saw notable fluctuations and relative stability at the start of trading on Sunday, January 11, 2026, across various government and commercial banks operating in the Egyptian banking sector. This slight variation is within the framework of supply and demand dynamics that have governed the foreign exchange market in Egypt since the liberalization of the exchange rate, with prices changing based on cash flows and import needs.
Details of exchange rates in Egyptian banks
Below is a detailed list of the buying and selling prices of the Saudi Riyal in the most prominent Egyptian banks for today:
Central Bank of Egypt
The average price of the riyal at the Central Bank of Egypt, which is the main indicator of exchange rates, recorded about 12.59 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.62 Egyptian pounds for selling .
National Bank of Egypt and Bank Misr
In the two largest government banks in terms of assets and reach, the price of the riyal remained stable at similar levels, recording 12.55 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.62 Egyptian pounds for selling .
Private and investment banks
- Commercial International Bank (CIB): Recorded 12.57 pounds for buying, and 12.62 pounds for selling.
- Bank of Alexandria: The price reached 12.58 pounds for buying and 12.62 pounds for selling.
- Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank: The highest buying price was recorded at 12.60 pounds, while the selling price was recorded at 12.63 pounds.
- Suez Canal Bank: Recorded 12.55 pounds for buying, and 12.64 pounds for selling.
- Faisal Islamic Bank: Recorded 12.54 pounds for buying, and 12.61 pounds for selling.
- National Bank of Kuwait: Recorded 12.51 pounds for buying, and 12.63 pounds for selling.
- Cairo Bank: Recorded 12.55 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.63 Egyptian pounds for selling.
The importance of the Saudi Riyal in the Egyptian economy
The Saudi riyal's exchange rate is of paramount importance to the Egyptian public and the local economy for several strategic and economic reasons. Firstly, Saudi Arabia is Egypt's largest trading partner in the Arab region, meaning that import and export activity between the two countries is directly affected by exchange rate fluctuations. A stable exchange rate contributes to lowering the cost of imported goods and boosting trade.
Secondly, remittances from Egyptians working abroad, particularly in Saudi Arabia, play a pivotal role in supporting Egypt's foreign currency reserves. These remittances are considered one of the most important sources of hard currency, and any change in the exchange rate directly affects the value of these savings when converted to Egyptian pounds, thus impacting the purchasing power of the families of those working abroad.
Third, the demand for the Saudi riyal is linked to the Hajj and Umrah seasons, as seasonal demand for the Saudi currency increases to cover travel and accommodation expenses in the holy sites. Egyptian banks work to provide the necessary liquidity to meet these needs in accordance with the regulations set by the Central Bank of Egypt to ensure market stability and prevent speculation.
In conclusion, the slight price variation on Sunday reflects the resilience of the Egyptian banking sector and its ability to absorb daily changes, while maintaining narrow margins between buying and selling prices, indicating the availability of cash liquidity and the stability of financial conditions.
