The rand and riyal are two different currencies from different countries. The rand is the currency of South Africa, while the riyal is the currency of Saudi Arabia. The exchange rate between the two currencies has fluctuated over the past decade, influenced by various economic and political factors. Here is a brief history of the rand vs riyal exchange rate over the past decade:

In 2011, the rand was trading at around 1.85 to the riyal, but by 2021, it had weakened to around 0.41 riyals to the rand. This means that the rand has depreciated significantly against the riyal over the past decade.

Some of the factors that have influenced the rand vs riyal exchange rate over the past decade include:

1. Economic developments: Both South Africa and Saudi Arabia are heavily dependent on commodity exports, particularly oil in the case of Saudi Arabia and minerals in the case of South Africa. Fluctuations in commodity prices have therefore had a significant impact on the two countries’ economies and currencies.

2. Political developments: Both countries have experienced significant political developments over the past decade, which have influenced their respective currencies. For example, South Africa has experienced political turmoil and instability, which has led to investor uncertainty and weakened the rand. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, has undergone significant economic and social reforms under its Vision 2030 program, which has boosted investor confidence and strengthened the riyal.

3. Global economic trends: The rand and riyal, like all currencies, are influenced by global economic trends. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on both countries’ economies and currencies, with South Africa experiencing a sharp decline in economic activity and a weakening of the rand, while Saudi Arabia has seen a decline in oil prices and a subsequent weakening of the riyal.

In conclusion, the rand vs riyal exchange rate has fluctuated over the past decade, influenced by various economic and political factors both within the countries themselves and globally.