All African Currencies: A Complete Guide

Get the complete list of African currencies by country. Learn about Africa’s diverse financial systems and why its currencies matter in trade and development.

Afri54 Afri54
Sep 18, 2025 - 16:46 Updated: Sep 21, 2025 - 14:59
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All African Currencies: A Complete Guide
All African Currencies: A Complete Guide

Africa, the world’s second-largest continent, is not only rich in culture and natural resources but also diverse in its financial systems. With 54 countries, Africa is home to more than 40 different currencies. While some countries share regional currencies, others maintain their own unique ones.

Understanding African currencies is important for travelers, entrepreneurs, and investors who want to engage with the continent’s growing markets. From the Nigerian Naira to the South African Rand, each currency represents the economic identity and sovereignty of a nation.

Why African Currencies Matter

Africa is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world. Its youthful population, expanding trade, and increasing digital adoption make it a hub for future economic development. Currencies play a central role in this growth story—facilitating trade, investment, and cross-border cooperation.

Interestingly, Africa also showcases a mix of traditional, regional, and modern digital payment systems. For example, the West African CFA franc and Central African CFA franc are shared by multiple nations, making regional trade smoother. Meanwhile, mobile money innovations like M-Pesa in Kenya highlight Africa’s leadership in fintech adoption.

Complete List of African Currencies by Country

Here’s the updated list of all African countries and their currencies:

  1. Algeria – Algerian Dinar (DZD)

  2. Angola – Angolan Kwanza (AOA)

  3. Benin – West African CFA Franc (XOF)

  4. Botswana – Botswana Pula (BWP)

  5. Burkina Faso – West African CFA Franc (XOF)

  6. Burundi – Burundian Franc (BIF)

  7. Cabo Verde – Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE)

  8. Cameroon – Central African CFA Franc (XAF)

  9. Central African Republic – Central African CFA Franc (XAF)

  10. Chad – Central African CFA Franc (XAF)

  11. Comoros – Comorian Franc (KMF)

  12. Democratic Republic of the Congo – Congolese Franc (CDF)

  13. Republic of the Congo – Central African CFA Franc (XAF)

  14. Djibouti – Djiboutian Franc (DJF)

  15. Egypt – Egyptian Pound (EGP)

  16. Equatorial Guinea – Central African CFA Franc (XAF)

  17. Eritrea – Eritrean Nakfa (ERN)

  18. Eswatini – Lilangeni (SZL) [also uses South African Rand, ZAR]

  19. Ethiopia – Ethiopian Birr (ETB)

  20. Gabon – Central African CFA Franc (XAF)

  21. Gambia – Gambian Dalasi (GMD)

  22. Ghana – Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)

  23. Guinea – Guinean Franc (GNF)

  24. Guinea-Bissau – West African CFA Franc (XOF)

  25. Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) – West African CFA Franc (XOF)

    1. Kenya – Kenyan Shilling (KES)

    2. Lesotho – Loti (LSL) [also uses South African Rand, ZAR]

    3. Liberia – Liberian Dollar (LRD)

    4. Libya – Libyan Dinar (LYD)

    5. Madagascar – Malagasy Ariary (MGA)

    6. Malawi – Malawian Kwacha (MWK)

    7. Mali – West African CFA Franc (XOF)

    8. Mauritania – Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU)

    9. Mauritius – Mauritian Rupee (MUR)

    10. Morocco – Moroccan Dirham (MAD)

    11. Mozambique – Mozambican Metical (MZN)

    12. Namibia – Namibian Dollar (NAD) [also uses South African Rand, ZAR]

    13. Niger – West African CFA Franc (XOF)

    14. Nigeria – Nigerian Naira (NGN)

    15. Rwanda – Rwandan Franc (RWF)

    16. São Tomé and Príncipe – Dobra (STN)

    17. Senegal – West African CFA Franc (XOF)

    18. Seychelles – Seychellois Rupee (SCR)

    19. Sierra Leone – Sierra Leonean Leone (SLE)

    20. Somalia – Somali Shilling (SOS)

    21. South Africa – South African Rand (ZAR)

    22. South Sudan – South Sudanese Pound (SSP)

    23. Sudan – Sudanese Pound (SDG)

    24. Tanzania – Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)

    25. Togo – West African CFA Franc (XOF)

    26. Tunisia – Tunisian Dinar (TND)

    27. Uganda – Ugandan Shilling (UGX)

    28. Zambia – Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)

    29. Zimbabwe – Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL) [plus multi-currency use]

    Final Thoughts

    Africa’s currencies reflect its diversity and complexity. While regional currencies like the CFA franc simplify trade, individual currencies like the Nigerian Naira and South African Rand showcase national economic strength.

    As Africa moves towards more regional integration and embraces digital finance, understanding its currencies is crucial for anyone engaging with the continent—be it for business, travel, or investment.

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