The gross international reserves of the Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN) closed July 2026 with a balance of USD 9,887.6 million, a 33.1% increase compared to the same month in 2025. According to official data reported this Monday by the entity, the increase amounts to an additional USD 2,456.6 million compared to the balance observed a year ago, when the remaining amount reached USD 7,431 million, according to reports collected by EFE.
The BCN report details that the reserve balance experienced an increase of USD 79 million in July, mainly driven by net currency purchases in the official exchange market, the increase in foreign currency reserve requirements, and the net absorption of foreign currency monetary deposits. The entity attributes this growth to prevailing exchange rate stability and increased resource mobilization from both the private sector and the non-financial public sector.
The evolution of international reserves during the first half of 2026 shows an upward trajectory. Authorities reported that by the end of June, the balance reached USD 9,808.6 million, a 36.1% increase compared to June 2025.
The report also notes that the accumulated increase over the first six months of the year was consolidated after reaching USD 9,432.9 million in March, a figure that already represented a 42.8% year-on-year growth. The March balance allowed the country to cover up to 4.1 times the value of its imports, according to…
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A graphical representation indicates the projected increase in Nicaragua's public debt with an arrow pointing to the year 2026, with the country's flag and the Central Bank in the background. (Illustrative Image Infobae) Nicaragua's gross international reserves at the Central Bank closed July 2026 with a balance of USD 9,887.6 million, a 33.1% increase compared to the same month in 2025. According to official data reported this Monday by the entity, the increase amounts to an additional USD 2,456.6 million compared to the balance observed a year ago, when the remaining amount reached USD 7,431 million, according to reports collected by EFE. The BCN report details that the reserve balance experienced an increase of USD 79 million in July, mainly driven by net foreign exchange purchases in the official exchange market, the increase in foreign currency reserve requirements, and the net absorption of monetary deposits in foreign currency. The entity attributes this growth to prevailing exchange rate stability and increased resource mobilization from both the private and non-financial public sectors. The evolution of international reserves during the first half of 2026 shows an upward trajectory. Authorities reported that by the end of June, the balance reached USD 9,808.6 million, a 36.1% increase compared to June 2025. The report also notes that the accumulated increase over the first six months of the year was consolidated after reaching USD 9,432.9 million in March, a figure that already represented a 42.8% year-on-year growth. The March balance allowed the country to cover up to 4.1 times the value of its imports, according to official data. Exports, foreign investment, and remittances are consolidating as key sources of dollars to maintain the Honduran balance of payments. (Photographic composition) Nicaraguan Central Bank authorities highlight that exchange operations, interest generated by international reserves, and a higher foreign currency reserve requirement have been decisive factors in the expansion of reserves. According to statements collected by EFE, external resources entering the non-financial public sector and the increase in current accounts in the national financial system have also contributed. The country's macroeconomic context is characterized by recovery. In 2025, Nicaragua's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.9%, consolidating the positive trend observed since 2021. According to the most recent forecasts from the BCN, for 2026, economic growth is expected to be between 3.5% and 4.5%, with an annual inflation rate in the range of 2.5% to 3.5%. These projections are based on the environment of exchange rate stability and dynamism in currency transactions, the entity explained in its official communication. The improvement in reserve levels contrasts with the increase in Nicaragua's external debt. According to data from the Central Bank of Nicaragua, the external debt balance rose to USD 16,352.6 million at the end of March 2026, representing 73.5% of GDP. In the first quarter of the year, the country allocated USD 878.9 million to debt service, of which USD 774.9 million was for principal amortizations and USD 104 million for interest and commissions. The public sector accounted for USD 8,923.6 million of the total, while the private sector represented USD 7,429 million. A photograph shows a T-shirt with an image of Nicaragua's president, Daniel Ortega, during the celebration of the 47th anniversary of the revolution that overthrew the dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza Debayle by armed means, on July 19, 2026, in Managua (Nicaragua). EFE/STR The upward trajectory of external debt continues after the historic maximum recorded at the end of 2025, when the balance was USD 16,245.12 million. The increase, attributed to the rise in external and private public debt, poses challenges for macroeconomic sustainability, although international reserves show capacity to support the monetary base and the country's imports. The Central Bank of Nicaragua emphasizes that the strengthening of reserves contributes to confidence in national financial stability and supports the capacity to respond to potential external shocks. According to the latest report from authorities, the doubling of the reserve balance over the last four years coincides with phases of economic recovery and the monetary absorption strategy driven by the monetary authority.