Sudanese Pound

Overview

Economy

• Sudan is a member of AU, Arab League, IGAD, OIC.
• Main industries include: Oil, Cotton ginning, Textiles, Cement, Edible oils, Sugar, Soap distilling, Shoes, Petroleum refining, Pharmaceuticals, Armaments, Automobile/light truck assembly.
• Sudan is part of the World Trade Organization.
• Imports are foodstuffs, manufactured goods, refinery and transport equipment, medicines, chemicals, textiles, wheat.
• Major exports include gold, oil, petroleum products, cotton, sesame, livestock, peanuts, gum arabic, sugar.
• GDP: $50.2 billion (2023 est.).
• GDP per capita: $1,109 (2023 est.).
• Unemployment rate: 19.6% (2017 est.).
• Inflation rate: 387.7% (2023 est.).
• Main trading partners: United Arab Emirates, China, Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Turkey.
• Trade agreements: Limited due to sanctions, Arab Free Trade Area, COMESA.

History

• Previous currencies used: Sudanese dinar, First Sudanese pound, Egyptian pound.
• The current Sudanese pound was introduced in 2007, replacing the Sudanese dinar. Sudan has had multiple currency changes due to economic crises and political instability.
• 1956: Independence and first Sudanese pound
• 1992: Sudanese dinar introduced
• 2007: Current Sudanese pound introduced
• 2011: South Sudan independence, loss of oil revenue
• 2019: Political revolution and economic crisis
• 2021: Military coup and continued instability
• Exchange rate peg: Managed float with multiple rates.

General Information

• ISO 4217 Code: SDG
• Symbols: SDG/ج.س.
• Currency Subunits: 100 piastres
• Central Bank: Central Bank of Sudan
• Monetary Policy: Multiple exchange rate system with limited effectiveness due to political and economic instability. Focus on managing hyperinflation and currency shortages.
• Bills: 2 SDG, 5 SDG, 10 SDG, 20 SDG, 50 SDG, 100 SDG, 200 SDG, 500 SDG
• Coins: 1 piastre, 5 piastres, 10 piastres, 20 piastres, 50 piastres, 1 pound, 2 pounds
• USD Exchange Rate: Variable (extremely volatile, approximately 600+ SDG per USD)
• Pegged To: None (Floating)
• Capital: Khartoum
• Population: 48,109,006 (2023 est.)
• Area: 1,861,484 km²
• Languages: Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, Fur
• Time Zones: UTC+2 (Central Africa Time)
• Government Type: Federal republic (currently under military rule)
• Head of Government: Transitional military leadership
• Independence: January 1, 1956 (from Egypt and United Kingdom)
• Ethnic Groups: Sudanese Arab 70%, Fur 10%, Beja 6%, Nuba 3%, Fallata 3%, Other 8%
• Religions: Sunni Muslim 90.7%, Christian 5.4%, African traditional 2.8%, Other 1.1%
• Literacy Rate: 60.7% (2018 est.)
• Transport: Khartoum International Airport, limited road network, railway system, Nile River transport, Port Sudan
• Communications: Limited telecommunications, 31% internet penetration, mobile network coverage
• Energy: Hydroelectric 68%, Thermal 32%, limited access to electricity
• Countries Using This Currency: Sudan
• Data Sources: Central Bank: Central Bank of Sudan (cbos.gov.sd), Economic Data: Central Bureau of Statistics Sudan, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Sudan Customs, Demographic Data: Central Bureau of Statistics Sudan, Geographic Data: Sudan Meteorological Authority, Historical Data: Central Bank of Sudan archives
• Last Updated: 2025