Sudan’s Central Bank has raised the daily transfer limit for bank customers to SDG 3 million, a move authorities say is aimed at easing cash shortages and improving access to funds as the country continues to grapple with economic disruption caused by the ongoing conflict.
According to a report by Radio Dabanga, the new directive applies to electronic transfers and comes after months of complaints from individuals and businesses struggling with restrictive banking limits. The previous cap, which was significantly lower, had made it difficult for traders, salary earners and families to meet basic expenses in an economy already under severe strain.
The decision reflects growing pressure on Sudan’s fragile financial system, which has been badly affected by the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since fighting erupted in April 2023, many bank branches across Khartoum and other major cities have been damaged, closed or looted, pushing millions of Sudanese to rely heavily on mobile banking and electronic transfers.
Banking officials say the higher transfer ceiling is intended to restore a measure of normalcy to daily transactions, particularly for businesses that depend on cashless payments to restock goods and pay suppliers. Traders have repeatedly warned that low transfer limits were choking commerce, contributing to shortages and driving up prices of essential commodities.
Sudan’s economy has been under intense pressure even before the war, with high inflation, currency depreciation and dwindling foreign reserves. The conflict has deepened these problems, disrupting supply chains, cutting government revenue and further weakening confidence in the banking sector. In many areas, access to physical cash remains limited, forcing citizens to depend on digital platforms despite unreliable electricity and internet services.
While the new SDG 3 million limit offers some relief, economists caution that it does not address the structural challenges facing Sudan’s financial system. Inflation remains high, and the Sudanese pound continues to lose value, eroding the real purchasing power of households. As a result, even larger transfer limits may not translate into meaningful economic stability without broader reforms and a return to security.
Civil society groups and economic analysts have also raised concerns about unequal access to banking services. Many Sudanese, particularly those displaced by fighting in Darfur, Kordofan and parts of Khartoum, remain unbanked or unable to use electronic payment systems. For these populations, changes in transfer limits offer little immediate benefit.
The Central Bank has not indicated whether further adjustments are planned, but banking insiders suggest additional measures may follow as authorities try to manage liquidity pressures and keep the financial system functioning. However, confidence in the sector remains fragile, with many Sudanese wary of keeping large balances in banks amid uncertainty over security and governance.
As the war drags on with no clear political settlement in sight, Sudan’s economic recovery remains closely tied to the restoration of peace. Until then, incremental steps such as raising transfer limits may provide temporary relief, but they fall short of resolving the deeper financial crisis confronting the country.
