The Sudanese pound has sharply fallen in value, with unofficial exchange rates hitting 3,600 per U.S. dollar in some areas. Economists tell Sudanhorizon that short-term solutions won’t solve the problem — the country needs deep economic reforms.

Dr. Othman Al-Toum, former manager at Sudanese French Bank, said stabilizing the pound requires reducing demand for U.S. dollars. He suggested boosting government revenue, controlling spending, investing in productive sectors, and encouraging foreign investment. Expanding electronic payments, he added, can help reduce cash circulation and improve transparency.

Dr. Saleh Jibril, former Family Bank director, said the Central Bank needs strong foreign reserves from exports to stabilize the currency. He called for curbing luxury imports, processing raw materials into finished goods, and restructuring banks to strengthen the economy.

Economist Dr. Haitham Fathi praised remittances from Sudanese abroad for helping maintain currency stability. He warned that currency depreciation reduces real incomes, increases poverty, and makes loans more expensive. He stressed that accumulating foreign reserves and boosting domestic production are vital for lasting stability.