Tripoli | Economic Follow-up – The US dollar continued its rise against the Libyan dinar in the parallel market during trading on Thursday, January 22, 2026, closing in the capital Tripoli at a level of 9.14 dinars, while trading in exchange offices recorded a slight increase to 9.15 dinars.
In other cities, the closing price in Zliten was 9.15 dinars, the same price as in Benghazi and Ajdabiya, reflecting the continued slight disparity between regions.
As for other foreign currencies, the euro rose to 10.61 dinars, while the British pound recorded a relative rise to 12.00 dinars.
In the precious metals market, the price of an 18-karat gold gram saw a noticeable increase, closing at 1065 dinars, while external remittance prices recorded levels close to cash, with the dollar rate for remittances to Turkey at 9.105 dinars, while Dubai remittances were at 9.135 dinars.
Central Bank’s Decision to Lower the Official Exchange Rate
This rise in the parallel market coincided with an important decision issued by the Central Bank of Libya, which entails devaluing the Libyan dinar by 14.7% against the Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) unit.
Under the decision, the value of the dinar became 0.1150 Special Drawing Rights units instead of 0.1348 units, stabilizing the new official price at around 6.40 dinars per US dollar.
Reading the Scene
- The Central Bank’s step aims to reduce the gap between the official and parallel rates and achieve financial balance.
- The parallel market reacted quickly by increasing “cash” prices, reflecting a state of caution and anticipation among traders and dealers.
- Expectations indicate that fluctuations will continue in the coming days.
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city of Libya, located on the country’s Mediterranean coast. Historically, it was founded by the Phoenicians in the 7th century BC and has since been ruled by the Romans, Arabs, Ottomans, Italians, and others, serving as a major port and cultural crossroads. Its historic core, the medina of Old Tripoli, contains ancient architecture like the Arch of Marcus Aurelius and the Red Castle (Assaraya al-Hamra).
Zliten
Zliten is a coastal city in northwestern Libya, historically known for its Roman-era ruins and as a center of Islamic learning. It is particularly famous for the Zliten Mosaic, a well-preserved Roman floor mosaic discovered in 1913, and the city contains the mausoleum of Sidi Abd As-Salam Al-Asmar, a revered 15th-century Sufi saint.
Benghazi
Benghazi is a major city in eastern Libya, historically significant as a center of trade and culture since its founding as the Greek colony of Euesperides. It played a pivotal role in the 2011 Libyan Civil War as a key base for the uprising against Muammar Gaddafi.
Ajdabiya
Ajdabiya is a city in northeastern Libya, historically significant as a strategic crossroads for trade and military movements across the Sahara. It gained modern prominence during the 2011 Libyan Civil War, when it was the site of a major battle between anti-Gaddafi forces and loyalist troops.
Turkey
Turkey is a transcontinental nation bridging Europe and Asia, historically known as Anatolia and the heartland of the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. Its modern identity was forged in 1923 as the Republic of Turkey under Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The country is renowned for its vast cultural heritage, from the ancient ruins of Ephesus to the iconic Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
Dubai
Dubai is a major global city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates, historically a small fishing and pearling village. Its modern transformation began with the discovery of oil in the 1960s, but it is now primarily renowned for its ambitious architecture, luxury shopping, and status as a hub for tourism and international business.
Central Bank of Libya
The Central Bank of Libya is the country’s primary monetary authority, established in 1956 to issue currency and manage monetary policy. It has played a critical and often divisive role in Libya’s recent history, with parallel institutions emerging in the east and west during the post-2011 civil conflict.
Libyan dinar
The Libyan dinar is the official currency of Libya, introduced in 1971 to replace the Libyan pound. It was established following the 1969 revolution that brought Muammar Gaddafi to power, marking a shift in the country’s economic identity.
US dollar
The US dollar is the official currency of the United States, established by the Coinage Act of 1792. It evolved from a system based on Spanish milled dollars and became the world’s primary reserve currency following the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1944.
euro
The Euro is the official currency of the Eurozone, which consists of 20 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It was introduced in non-physical form in 1999 and as physical banknotes and coins in 2002, with the goal of fostering economic integration and stability across Europe.
British pound
The British pound, officially known as pound sterling, is the world’s oldest currency still in use, with origins tracing back to Anglo-Saxon times. It was historically a unit of weight for silver, and its symbol (£) derives from the Latin word *libra*, meaning a unit of weight.
gold
Gold is a chemical element (Au) and precious metal that has been highly valued across cultures for millennia, used historically for coinage, jewelry, and as a store of wealth. Its cultural significance is profound, often symbolizing purity, power, and divinity, as seen in artifacts like ancient Egyptian burial masks and the treasures of the Inca Empire. Major historical gold rushes, such as those in California and Australia, have also dramatically shaped economies and migration patterns.
Special Drawing Rights
Special Drawing Rights (SDR) is an international reserve asset created by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1969 to supplement its member countries’ official reserves. Its value is based on a basket of five major currencies: the U.S. dollar, euro, Chinese renminbi, Japanese yen, and British pound sterling.
