The street rate for US dollars in South Sudan’s capital city Juba has varied widely in recent days with traders reporting the South Sudanese pound has traded today between 12 and 15 pounds to the dollar, which is 1200 to 1500 pounds for one US hundred dollar bill.
One trader in Juba this morning told Radio Tamazuj the rate was 12:1. A second source speaking in the early afternoon said the rate was 13:1. A third source speaking also in the afternoon said the rate was 14:1 and a fourth source also speaking today reported it was 15:1.
These rates reflect a significant change since last Wednesday when Radio Tamazuj reported the dollar cost about 10.5 pounds. A source said already on Friday, however, that the rate was 15:1, suggesting the rate may have risen, dropped and then risen again since last week.
The wide differences between reported rates today may also indicate changes in the rate throughout the day, with more dollars available earlier in the day and more demand later in the day.
Exchange rates in some towns have been tracking higher than Juba. Over the weekend, rates in Aweil and Rumbek were reportedly higher than the rate in Juba.
In spite of the rising black market rate, South Sudan’s central bank exchange rate for the US dollar remains at just about 3 to 1.
Owing to the dollar shortage, meanwhile, some water bottling companies have halted production because they cannot get hard currency to import the raw materials that they need for production. Juba residents today complained of high prices of water and shortages of bottled water in the city.
Related:
Officials profiting from South Sudan dollar shortage: report (3 May)
War Economy: S Sudan increases money supply (31 March)
War Economy: South Sudan denies printing more money (27 March)