(JUBA) – The South Sudanese Pound (SSP) continued to show signs of gradual weakening as the Bank of South Sudan released its official daily exchange rates for Tuesday, 5 August 2025. The updated rates indicate marginal changes compared to Monday’s figures, particularly against major international currencies including the US Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), and British Pound (GBP).
According to the central bank bulletin published on its official website, the SSP traded as follows on Tuesday, 5 August 2025:
| Currency | Selling Rate (SSP) | Buying Rate (SSP) | Approx. Selling Rate (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD | 4,594.73 | 4,458.93 | $1.00 |
| EURO | 5,314.73 | 5,157.20 | $1.16 |
| GBP | 6,109.16 | 5,927.70 | $1.33 |
| KSH | 35.62 | 34.46 | $0.0077 |
| UGX | 1.29 | 1.24 | $0.00028 |
| SDG | 7.67 | 7.24 | $0.0017 |
| ETB | 33.23 | 32.15 | $0.0072 |
| RWF | 3.19 | 3.07 | $0.00069 |
| TZS | 1.84 | 1.74 | $0.00040 |
| BIF | 1.57 | 7.50 | $0.00034 |
By comparison, on Monday, 4 August 2025, the official USD/SSP rate stood at 4,588.09 (selling) and 4,452.48 (buying), showing a slight increase in the cost of purchasing foreign currency.
Forex Market Trends and Economic Context
The gradual depreciation of the SSP reflects persistent macroeconomic challenges, including low foreign exchange reserves, dependency on oil revenues, and post-conflict recovery efforts. The upward movement in rates, particularly for the USD, suggests increased demand for foreign currency, likely driven by import needs and payment of external obligations.
The Euro and British Pound also recorded notable increases in their SSP selling rates, suggesting broader market confidence in Western currencies amidst global economic fluctuations. The GBP, for instance, rose to 6,109.16 SSP from 6,048.48 SSP on Monday, while the Euro climbed to 5,314.73 SSP from 5,237.30 SSP.
Meanwhile, the rates for regional currencies like the Kenyan Shilling (KSH), Ugandan Shilling (UGX), and Ethiopian Birr (ETB) remained relatively stable, with only minor movements observed.
Regional Currency Overview – Stability vs. Volatility
South Sudan maintains active trade relationships with neighbouring countries including Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia, making their exchange rates crucial for cross border trade, remittances, and small scale business operations.
For instance:
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The Kenyan Shilling moved slightly to 35.62 SSP (selling), up from 35.57 SSP.
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The Ugandan Shilling increased marginally to 1.29 SSP, from 1.28 SSP.
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The Ethiopian Birr remained stable at 33.23 SSP.
These small fluctuations point to relative regional currency stability, though local traders continue to report challenges accessing hard currency from commercial banks due to liquidity constraints.
Parallel Market Caution
Although the Bank of South Sudan publishes daily official exchange rates, the parallel (black) market often operates at significantly higher rates. Traders in Juba report that the USD is currently trading at approximately SSP 6,000 per dollar, a gap that continues to influence price inflation in local markets and fuel public concern over economic stability.
Disclaimer: Parallel market rates may be as high as SSP 6,000 to the dollar: BANK OF SOUTH SUDAN
For the latest updates on official exchange rates and monetary policy announcements, visit the Bank of South Sudan official website.
