The Saudi riyal's exchange rate against the Egyptian pound saw noticeable fluctuations at the start of trading on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, across various government and commercial banks operating in the Egyptian banking sector. This slight variation is within the context of supply and demand dynamics that govern the foreign exchange market, amidst close monitoring of Arab and foreign currency exchange rates by investors and citizens.
The importance of the stability of the Saudi Riyal exchange rate
The Saudi riyal's exchange rate holds particular significance for the Egyptian public and the local economy due to several strategic and economic considerations. Firstly, Saudi Arabia is Egypt's largest trading partner in the Arab region, making the exchange rate a direct factor in the cost of imports and exports between the two countries. Secondly, the large Egyptian community residing in the Kingdom makes remittances from Egyptians abroad a primary source of foreign currency, and their real value is affected by the prevailing exchange rate.
Furthermore, the demand for the Saudi riyal is seasonally linked to the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, as demand increases to cover travel and accommodation expenses, making its stability vital for facilitating matters for Egyptian pilgrims. The relative stability in exchange rates reflects the success of the Central Bank's monetary policies in regulating the foreign exchange market and providing the necessary liquidity.
Saudi Riyal exchange rate at the Central Bank and government banks
According to the latest trading screens, the price of the Saudi Riyal at the Central Bank of Egypt an average of 12.56 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.59 Egyptian pounds for selling, which is the indicative price that reflects the average transactions in the market.
In the two largest state-owned banks, the National Bank of Egypt and Banque Misr , the price of the riyal remained stable at 12.52 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.59 Egyptian pounds for selling, reflecting a unification of exchange rates in the major national banks that hold the largest share of banking transactions for individuals.
Riyal exchange rates in private and investment banks
Private banks showed slight variations in prices, with the details as follows:
- Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank: recorded the highest buying and selling price, reaching 12.57 pounds for buying and 12.60 pounds for selling.
- Commercial International Bank (CIB): Recorded a price of 12.54 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.59 Egyptian pounds for selling.
- Bank of Alexandria: The riyal is trading at 12.55 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.59 Egyptian pounds for selling.
- Suez Canal Bank: Recorded 12.52 pounds for buying and 12.59 pounds for selling.
- Cairo Bank: The price reached 12.52 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.59 Egyptian pounds for selling.
- National Bank of Kuwait: Recorded 12.47 Egyptian pounds for buying and 12.60 Egyptian pounds for selling.
- Faisal Islamic Bank: Recorded 12.51 pounds for buying and 12.58 pounds for selling.
It should be noted that these prices are subject to change throughout the day according to market mechanisms and transaction volume, and experts always advise following prices through official bank channels to ensure the most accurate information.
