If you are planning a trip to Africa, you will need to find the local currency for your destination and plan the best way to manage your money while you are there. Most African countries have their own single currency, although some share the same currency with several other states. The West African CFC franc, for example, is the official currency of eight West African countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.
Similarly, some African countries have more than one official currency. The South African rand is used in conjunction with the Namibian dollar in Namibia; and alongside the Swazi lilangeni in Swaziland. However, Zimbabwe takes the title of the country with the most official currencies. After the collapse of the Zimbabwe dollar, it was announced that seven different currencies from around the world would be considered legal tender in the beleaguered southern African state.
Exchange rates
Exchange rates for many African currencies are volatile, so it is generally best to wait until you arrive before exchanging your foreign cash for local money. Often the cheapest way to obtain local currency is to get it directly from the ATM, rather than paying fees at airport offices or exchange centers in the city. If you prefer to exchange cash, convert a small amount upon arrival (enough to pay for transportation from the airport to your initial hotel), then exchange the rest in town, where it’s cheaper.
Make sure to download a currency converter app, or use a website like this one to check the latest exchange rates before accepting a fee.
Cash, cards or traveler’s checks?
Avoid turning your money into traveler’s checks – they are out of date and rarely accepted in Africa, especially in rural areas. Both cash and cards have their own pros and cons. It is not advisable to carry large amounts of cash in Africa from a security perspective, and unless your hotel has a reliable safe, it is also not a good idea to leave it in your hotel room. If possible, leave most of your money in the bank, using an ATM to withdraw it in small installments as needed.
However, while cities in countries like Egypt and South Africa have a large number of ATMs, you may have a hard time finding one in a remote safari camp or on a small island in the Indian Ocean. If you travel to places where ATMs are unreliable or non-existent, you will need to withdraw the cash you plan to spend in advance. Wherever you go, it’s a good idea to bring small coins or bills to tip the large number of people you will meet on your trip, from car guards to gas station attendants.
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Money and security in Africa
So if you are forced to extract large amounts of cash, how do you keep it safe? Your best bet is to divide your cash, keeping it in several different places (one rolled up in a sock in your main luggage, one in a secret compartment in your backpack, one in a hotel safe, etc.). This way, if a bag is stolen, you will still have the other cash reserves to draw on. Don’t carry your wallet in an obvious oversized bag; Instead, invest in a money belt or keep folded notes in a zippered pocket.
If you decide to go the card route, be very mindful of your ATM environment. Pick one in a safe, well-lit area, and make sure you don’t let anyone stand long enough to see your PIN. Be aware that scammers offer to help you make your withdrawal, or ask for your help with making theirs. If someone approaches you while you are withdrawing money, be careful not to act as a distraction while someone else seizes your cash. Staying safe in Africa is easy, but common sense is essential.
Official African Coins
Algeria: Algerian dinar (DZD)
Angola: first angoleño (AOA)
Benin: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
Botswana: Botswana pula (BWP)
Burkina Faso: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
Burundi: free burundian (BIF)
Cameroon: CFA Franc of Central Africa (XAF)
Cape Verde: Coat of Arms of Cape Verdiano (CVE)
Central African Republic: CFA Franc of Central Africa (XAF)
Chad: Franco CFA Central Africa (XAF)
Comoros: Comoros Franc (KMF)
Ivory Coast: West African CFA franc (XOF)
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Congolese franc (CDF), Zairean Zaire (ZRZ)
Djibouti: Djiboutian franc (DJF)
Egypt: Egyptian Pound (EGP)
Equatorial Guinea: Central African CFA Franc (XAF)
Eritrea: Eritrea nakfa (ERN)
Ethiopia: birr etiope (ETB)
Gabon: Central African CFA Franc (XAF)
Gambia: dambas gambianas (GMD)
Ghana: cedi ghanés (GHS)
Guinea: Guinean franc (GNF)
Guinea-Bissau: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
Kenya: Kenyan shilling (KES)
Lesotho: Lesotho loti (LSL)
Liberia: Liberian dollar (LRD)
Libya: Libyan dinar (LYD)
Madagascar: Malagasy Ariary (MGA)
Malawi: kwacha malawi (MWK)
Mali: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
Mauritania: ouguiya mauritana (MRO)
Mauritius: Mauritian rupee (MUR)
Morocco: Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Mozambique: Metical mozambiqueño (MZN)
Namibia: Namibian dollar (NAD), South African rand (ZAR)
Niger: West African CFA franc (XOF)
Nigeria: naira nigeriana (NGN)
Republic of the Congo: Central African CFA Franc (XAF)
Rwanda : Rwanda Franc (RWF)
Sao Tome and Principe: Sao Tome and Principe dobra (STD)
Senegal: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
Seychelles: Rupia de Seychelles (SCR)
Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone Leone (SLL)
Somalia: Somali shilling (SOS)
South Africa: South African rand (ZAR)
Sudan: Sudanese pound (SDG)
South Sudan: South Sudanese Pound (SSP)
Swaziland: Swazi Lilangeni (SZL), rand sudafricano (ZAR)
Tanzania: Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
Togo: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
Tunisia: Tunisian dinar (TND)
Uganda: Ugandan shilling (UGX)
Zambia: zambiana kwacha (ZMK)
Zimbabwe: US Dollar (USD), South African Rand (ZAR), Euro (EUR), Indian Rupee (INR), British Pound (GBP), Chinese Yuan / Renminbi (CNY), Botswanan Pula (BWP)
