Demand Still Outruns Supply: NBE Allots $125 Million at 160.21 Birr per Dollar

As reported by StockMarket.et

Summary

• The National Bank of Ethiopia allocated $125 million in foreign exchange auction number 27 on August 26, 2026, as five commercial banks submitted bids totaling $170.51 million. Demand exceeded the amount on offer by about $45.51 million. The marginal cut-off rate was 160.2070 birr per U.S. dollar, which was also the weighted average rate for successful bids.
• The highest bid was 160.2071 birr per dollar and the lowest was 160.1833 birr per dollar. Only two banks won allocations in the session. The result came one week after a much larger $500 million special auction that had helped pull the auction-cleared rate down from a recent high near 161 birr per dollar.
• For BirrValue users, regular NBE auctions set the price at which banks can buy dollars for customers. When bids exceed supply, rates can stay under pressure even after large special sales. Compare what each bank quotes on [BirrValue](/banks) and check [Send Money](/send-money) before you convert a large amount.