Africa’s central bank reserves rose to $530 billion in 2025, driven largely by higher gold prices and increased accumulation of the precious metal.
- +Africa’s reserves climb to $530 billion in 2025, buoyed by gold
This was disclosed in the Africa Finance Corporation’s (AFC) latest “State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report”.
This was disclosed in the Africa Finance Corporation’s (AFC) latest “State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report”. The development reflects a broader shift in reserve management strategies across the continent amid global economic uncertainty. The report highlights how rising commodity prices and policy adjustments are reshaping Africa’s external asset position.
The AFC noted that Africa’s reserve position improved significantly over the past year, supported by both valuation gains and increased physical gold holdings.
The report noted that both higher gold prices and deliberate diversification strategies contributed to the rise in reserves.
The AFC said the growing preference for gold reflects a broader shift in how African central banks are managing external assets, particularly in response to global financial uncertainty.
The AFC described the development as part of a wider recalibration of reserve management across the continent.
The report comes as African economies continue to reassess external financing and reserve adequacy, with both opportunities and pressures shaping country-level outcomes. Nigeria’s reserve position illustrates this mixed picture.
Across Africa, the AFC report suggests a clear structural shift, with gold emerging as a key pillar of reserve diversification strategies amid ongoing global uncertainty.
