Central Bank of Sudan plans fund for strategic imports amid economic crisis

November 1, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The Central Bank of Sudan announced plans to establish a fund to finance the import of strategic goods, aiming to stabilize markets and improve supply chains in cooperation with the banking sector.

The move comes as the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, and several other states face a worsening cost-of-living crisis marked by severe shortages of fuel, bread and transportation amid the ongoing war.

Central Bank Governor Amna Mirghani Hassan El-Tom held an expanded meeting on Sunday to discuss the appropriate frameworks and mechanisms for creating the fund, the bank said in a statement.

The discussions focused on activating the banking sector’s role in financing strategic imports and supporting overall economic stability.

Officials reviewed the fund’s general concept, targeted commodities, proposed participants and available financing options, as well as the technical and organizational aspects of its operations.

In a separate initiative, the central bank proposed establishing a Supreme Council for Exports.

The council would aim to create an integrated national framework for managing exports, covering production, financing, transport, customs and external marketing, to maximize export proceeds.

The bank said the proposal is part of its ongoing efforts to support Sudanese exports and secure foreign exchange resources to help the country overcome its economic challenges.

El-Tom also chaired a separate meeting on Sunday with representatives of bank owners to discuss the sector’s development and preparation for a post-war economic recovery.

The meeting, attended by First Deputy Governor Al-Mutasim Abdullah Ahmed and Deputy Governor Sami Abdelhafeez Saleh, addressed banking reform, governance, capital requirements and legislative frameworks.

Officials emphasized the need to balance reform requirements with banking stability, ensuring banks can continue operating and support reconstruction efforts.