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Egypt’s January-March current account deficit widens to $5.1 billion

By Thomson Reuters Jul 12, 2026 | 4:45 AM

July 12 (Reuters) – Egypt’s current account deficit more than doubled to $5.1 billion in the ​January-March quarter from $2.3 ‌billion a year earlier, central bank data showed on Sunday.

• Net foreign direct investment inflows edged down ‌to $3.7 ​billion from $3.8 billion ⁠in the same ⁠period of 2025.

• The central bank attributed the wider July-March current account deficit mainly ​to a larger merchandise trade deficit, partly offset by ⁠higher remittances, ⁠tourism revenue and Suez ​Canal receipts.

• Remittances from Egyptians working ​abroad rose to $12.8 billion from $9.3 ‌billion in the same quarter last year.

• Tourism revenue increased to $4.2 billion from $3.8 billion ⁠in the same period last year.

• Suez Canal revenues rose to $1 billion ⁠from $800 ‌million a year ⁠earlier.

• Oil imports increased ​to $5.7 ‌billion in the same ​quarter, from $4.8 ⁠billion a year earlier, while exports rose slightly to $1.6 billion from $1.2 billion.

(Reporting by Eman AbouhassiraEditing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and ​David Goodman)