A historic rally in gold prices and a strategic shift in reserve management have pushed Africa’s total central bank reserves to $530 billion in 2025, a $50 billion increase from the previous year. According to the Africa Finance Corporation’s (AFC) latest State of Africa’s Infrastructure Report, gold now accounts for 17% of total reserves, up from less than 10% just two years ago. Physical holdings on the continent have climbed to an estimated 738 metric tons, with nations like Egypt, Ghana, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe leading the charge. This trend marks a decisive recalibration as central banks use bullion as a hedge against currency volatility and global inflation, signaling a reduced reliance on traditional fiat reserve currencies.
Nairametrics
