Africa’s Biggest Economies: Foreign Reserves (2014 vs 2019 vs 2026)

2014

1. 🇿🇦 South Africa: $49B
2. 🇳🇬 Nigeria: $34.5B
3. 🇪🇬 Egypt: $15B

2019

1. 🇿🇦 South Africa: $55B
2. 🇪🇬 Egypt: $45B
3. 🇳🇬 Nigeria: $38B

2026 (latest available)

1. 🇿🇦 South Africa: $76B
2. 🇪🇬 Egypt: $57B
3. 🇳🇬 Nigeria: $55B

Despite Nigeria having Africa’s largest economy in 2014 and 2019, its foreign reserves remained far below South Africa’s. 🇳🇬🇿🇦 South Africa has maintained its lead in reserves, providing a larger foreign-currency buffer.