21 Strongest Currencies in Africa in 2025

What are the Strongest Currencies in Africa? 

Here’s a list of the top 21 strongest African currencies against the US Dollar as of 20th November 2025.

Important Note on Exchange Rates: This ranking uses the nominal exchange rate (how many USD one unit of local currency can buy) as a primary metric. It is essential to understand that a high nominal value does not always equate to economic power or stability. Some currencies with a lower nominal value (like the CFA Francs) are backed by stronger monetary systems and greater stability.

Tunisian Dinar (TND)

The Tunisian Dinar remains the strongest currency in Africa in 2025.

USD/TND Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 TND = 0.34 USD

1 USD = 2.96 TND

This strength comes from Tunisia’s consistent efforts to maintain monetary discipline, limit inflation, and control imports through strict foreign exchange rules.

Libyan Dinar (LYD)

Despite political uncertainty, the Libyan Dinar remains one of the strongest currencies in Africa. benefits greatly from the country’s vast oil reserves and tight currency regulations.

USD/LYD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 LYD = 0.18 USD

1 USD = 5.48 LYD

Libya has limited the circulation of foreign exchange, helping prevent depreciation. While it’s not one of the most traded currencies, LYD’s value is still noteworthy in African currency value comparisons.

Moroccan Dirham (MAD)

The Moroccan Dirham is known for its resilience and gradual appreciation. It reflects Morocco’s strong ties with European markets, solid tourism industry, and consistent economic reforms.

MAD/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 MAD = 0.11 USD

1 USD = 9.28 MAD

Morocco’s central bank manages a flexible peg system, allowing the Dirham to adjust while maintaining overall stability. As one of the most stable currencies in Africa, the MAD is increasingly featured in regional portfolios.

Ghanaian Cedi (GHS)

The Ghanaian Cedi ranks among the top African currencies by value and is recognized for its comeback after past depreciations. The Cedi’s strength is driven by major reforms by the Bank of Ghana, gold exports, and digital innovation in payments.

GHS/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 GHS = 0.090 USD

1 USD = 11.05 GHS

Ghana has improved its monetary policies, reduced inflation, and attracted global fintech investment.

Botswana Pula (BWP)

The Botswana Pula is one of Africa’s most consistent currencies.

BWP/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 BWP = 0.073 USD

1 USD =  13.63 BWP

The country’s stable government, low corruption, and diamond exports have long supported its financial credibility. Investors often regard the Pula as a benchmark of how small, well-managed economies can maintain a strong currency in Africa.

Seychelles Rupee (SCR)

Despite its small population, the Seychelles Rupee is a high-performing currency. It is one of the highest currencies in Africa.

SCR/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 SCR = 0.068 USD

1 USD = 14.74 SCR

The island nation’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism, and recovery post-COVID has helped restore foreign reserves. The government maintains a tight fiscal policy and engages with the IMF for financial stability.

Eritrean Nakfa (ERN)

The Eritrean Nakfa stands out due to its fixed exchange rate system. The currency remains strong thanks to government imposed foreign exchange controls.

ERN/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 ERN = 0.066 USD

1 USD = 15 ERN

The Nakfa's stability is rooted in state policies that prioritize self-reliance and debt control. Although Eritrea faces external trade limitations, the Nakfa’s value remains protected.

Namibian Dollar (NAD)

The Namibian Dollar mirrors the South African Rand, as it is pegged 1:1 with it. 

NAD/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 NAD = 0.058 USD

1 USD = 17.20 NAD

Because it shares a monetary union with South Africa, the NAD offers currency stability in Africa while allowing Namibia to maintain its own central bank.

Swazi Lilangeni (SZL)

Like the NAD, the Swazi Lilangeni is pegged to the South African Rand. It is one of the strongest currencies in Africa.

SZL/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 SZL = 0.058 USD

1 USD =  17.20 SZL

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) benefits from its integration into South Africa’s financial system, ensuring stability for the Lilangeni.

Lesotho Loti (LSL)

The Lesotho Loti also shares a 1:1 peg with the South African Rand and ranks among the most stable currencies in Africa.

LSL/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 LSL = 0.058 USD

1 USD = 17.20 LSL

Its strength is a reflection of Lesotho’s monetary cooperation with South Africa and its focus on development aid, textiles, and remittances.

South African Rand (ZAR)

The South African Rand is Africa’s most widely traded currency. It may not top the value chart, but it leads in terms of liquidity and global visibility.

ZAR/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 ZAR = 0.058 USD

1 USD = 17.20 ZAR

The Rand reflects South Africa’s economic indicators, including its industrial output, mining sector, and market performance.

São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STN)

São Tomé and Príncipe’s currency, the Dobra (STN), is managed by the Central Bank, and while it’s officially pegged to the euro, it trades freely vs USD.

STN/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 STN = 0.047 USD

1 USD = 21.41 STN

Its value reflects São Tomé’s reliance on cocoa, evolving tourism, and nascent oil industry. Though not considered strongly stable, the currency’s linkage to the euro delivers relative predictability.

Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)

The Zambian Kwacha is a floating currency influenced by copper prices, agricultural output, and central bank interventions.

ZMW/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 ZMW = 0.044 USD

1 USD = 22.86 ZMW

The Zambian Kwacha has shown stability following recent central bank measures. While the currency remains sensitive to global copper prices, strong reserve management and solid agricultural performance provide cautious optimism for Zambia’s economic outlook.

Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRU)

Mauritania’s Ouguiya (MRU) is unique, renominated in 2018 to simplify transactions (1:10), and lacks a peg, floating in line with macroeconomic conditions.

MRU/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 MRU = 0.025 USD

1 USD = 39.87 MRU

Despite being non-divisible by decimal units, Mauritania’s reliance on fishing, agriculture, and mining, along with IMF/World Bank support, maintains moderate stability. MRU is seen as an emerging-market currency with occasional susceptibility to external shocks

Egyptian Pound (EGP)

The Egyptian Pound (EGP) floats in line with IMF-influenced reforms, with high liquidity but periodic volatility.

EGP/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 EGP = 0.021 USD

1 USD = 47.39 EGP

Under an IMF-supported reform program, Egypt’s currency was recently devalued from its previous fixed level. While the Egyptian Pound remains a key part of the country’s economic recovery efforts, it continues to face challenges from fiscal pressures and external factors.

Algerian Dinar (DZD)

Algeria's Dinar is supported by substantial foreign reserves from its significant hydrocarbon exports.

DZD/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 DZD = 0.0076 USD

1 USD = 130.691 DZD

While the currency is subject to strict government controls and is not fully convertible, its economic base provides underlying strength.

Mauritian Rupee (MUR)

The Mauritian Rupee is one of the most stable and freely convertible currencies in Africa, reflecting the country's status as a high-income financial services and tourism hub.

MUR/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 MUR = 0.022 USD

1 USD = 45.211 MUR

It's prudent monetary policy ensures low inflation and steady performance.

West African CFA Franc (XOF)

The West African CFA Franc is used by eight countries in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). It shares an identical exchange rate with the Central African CFA Franc, as both are pegged to the Euro. 

XOF/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 XOF = 0.00175 USD

1 USD = 569.490 XOF

Despite its low nominal value, the XOF remains one of Africa’s most stable and well-managed currencies, supporting key economies such as the Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Benin.

Central African CFA Franc (XAF)

The Central African CFA Franc is the official currency of six countries within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). Like the West African CFA Franc, it is pegged to the Euro at the same rate, ensuring consistent stability and low inflation across the region.

XAF/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 XAF = 0.00175 USD

1 USD = 565.399 XAF

Though low in nominal value, the XAF remains among Africa’s most stable currencies, underpinning major economies such as Cameroon, Gabon, and Chad.

Kenyan Shilling (KES)

The Kenyan Shilling is a key currency in East Africa. Despite facing external pressures, it is backed by a diversified and growing economy, a strong services sector, and significant remittance inflows, making it a pillar of regional trade.

KES/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 KES = 0.0077 USD

1 USD = 129.790 KES

Rwandan Franc (RWF)

The Rwandan Franc reflects the country's renowned economic governance and fiscal discipline.

RWF/USD Rate Comparison (20 November 2025):

1 RWF = 0.00069 USD

1 USD = 1,456.93 RWF

Rwanda's focus on a service-oriented economy and political stability has resulted in a consistently stable and well-managed currency.

Conclusion

The strongest currencies in Africa in 2025 highlight how several nations across the continent have strengthened their economies through improved stability and effective financial management, standing in contrast to some of the weakest currencies in africa that continue to face inflationary and structural challenges.

From the Tunisian Dinar to the South African Rand, these currencies represent a balance of export-driven growth and sound monetary policies.

If you found this overview useful, you might also want to check out our guides on the strongest currencies in the world and the weakest currencies in the world in 2025.