Sudan to launch currency exchange in six states

 December 8, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s government will begin a currency exchange programme in six states on December 10, it said on Sunday. The move is aimed at combating economic disruption caused by the country’s ongoing conflict.

In early November, the Central Bank of Sudan announced that it would introduce a new 1,000 Sudanese pound note. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been battling the army since April, rejected the new banknote, calling it a step towards dividing the country.

Culture and Information Minister Khalid al-A’asir told reporters after a meeting of the High Committee for Currency Exchange that the currency exchange will take place in the Red Sea, Kassala, Gedaref, River Nile, Northern, and Blue Nile states.

“The committee was assured of completing all technical and security arrangements… to start the currency exchange process on December 10, continuing until the 23rd,” al-A’asir said.

He said the exchange would be conducted through bank deposits and urged citizens to open bank accounts.

The central bank has said the new banknotes are needed to protect the national currency, stabilise its exchange rate and counter the harmful effects of the war, including the looting of the central bank’s headquarters and the Sudanese Currency Printing Company in Khartoum.

Al-A’asir urged citizens to use electronic payment methods, with a daily cash withdrawal limit of 200,000 pounds per customer.

He said forthcoming decisions by the central bank would require all public and private institutions to accept electronic payments.

“This is an important and necessary national process to protect the country’s national security,” al-A’asir said.