LONDON — The Sudanese pound has slipped to its lowest level in years, sending inflation into a free‑fall that has left families across the country struggling to meet daily needs. According to a report by Aljazeera, the currency has lost more than 70% of its value against the U.S. dollar since the start of the civil conflict in 2023, while consumer prices have risen by double‑digit percentages over the past twelve months.
Currency Collapse and Rising Prices
In the past year, the Central Bank of Sudan has been forced to intervene in the foreign‑exchange market, but the pound’s devaluation has outpaced any stabilising measures. The pound’s value fell from around 4,500 to 12,000 per U.S. dollar, a decline that has eroded purchasing power for ordinary citizens. The inflation rate, measured by the national consumer price index, has climbed to 35% in the last quarter, according to data cited by the Middle East Monitor.
Impact on Families and Food Security
Families in Khartoum and rural provinces report that staples such as wheat, sugar and cooking oil have become unaffordable. A 24‑year‑old mother of three from Port Sudan said that she has had to reduce her family’s meal portions to keep within a budget that has been cut in half by the currency collapse. The same report notes that the price of a kilogram of rice has risen from roughly 200 Sudanese pounds to over 600 pounds, while a litre of vegetable oil has jumped from 150 to 400 pounds.
Health and Education Costs Rise
Medical supplies and medications have become scarce and expensive. The Sudanese Ministry of Health has warned that the cost of a standard course of antibiotics can now exceed the monthly wage of a low‑income worker. In schools, the price of textbooks and school uniforms has doubled, pushing many children out of the classroom. The Ministry of Education has requested emergency funding from international partners to subsidise these costs.
Government Response and Policy Measures
Prime Minister Hisham al‑Mahdi’s administration has announced a series of measures aimed at stabilising the economy. These include a temporary freeze on the import of non‑essential goods, a 10% tax on luxury items, and a pledge to increase the minimum wage by 15% in the next fiscal year. However, the Central Bank has stated that it will continue to allow the market to determine the pound’s value, citing concerns over foreign‑exchange reserves.
International Aid and Economic Assistance
The United Nations and the World Bank have urged the Sudanese government to adopt a more aggressive monetary policy and to seek a debt‑relief package from creditor nations. The International Monetary Fund has offered a conditional loan of $1.5 billion, contingent on the implementation of structural reforms and a commitment to reduce fiscal deficits. Meanwhile, the African Union has called for a regional stabilization fund to support food imports and to curb the rise in prices.
Broader Regional Context
Sudan’s economic crisis is part of a wider pattern of currency instability in the region. A report by the National Council of Resistance of Iran highlights similar inflationary pressures in Iran, where the rial has collapsed and inflation has reached record levels. Analysts note that the combination of war‑related disruptions, sanctions and global commodity price swings has amplified the economic fragility of several African and Middle Eastern economies.
