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21 Strongest Currencies in Africa in 2026

Written by Nathalie Okde

Updated 26 December 2025

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The strongest currencies in Africa in 2026 are more than just numbers on a chart, they reflect stable economies, sound monetary policies, and growing investor confidence.

When people think of strong currencies, the US Dollar (USD), Euro (EUR), or British Pound (GBP) usually come to mind. But several African currencies are also holding their own ground in the currency world.

Key Takeaways

The Tunisian Dinar (TND) is the strongest currency in Africa in 2026.
Currencies like the Libyan Dinar, Moroccan Dirham, and Botswana Pula are supported by strong exports and prudent fiscal management.
African currencies are also playing a growing role in regional trade and attracting interest from investors seeking diversification.

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What are the Strongest Currencies in Africa?

Here is the list of the top 21 strongest African currencies in 2026 against the US Dollar.

Rank	Symbol	Code
1	Tunisian Dinar	TND
2	Libyan Dinar	LYD
3	Moroccan Dirham	MAD
4	Ghanaian Cedi	GHS
5	Botswana Pula	BWP
6	Seychelles Rupee	SCR
7	Eritrean Nakfa	ERN
8	Namibian Dollar	NAD
9	Swazi Lilangeni	SZL
10	Lesotho Loti	LSL
11	South African Rand	ZAR
12	São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra	STN
13	Zambian Kwacha	ZMW
14	Mauritanian Ouguiya	MRU
15	Egyptian Pound	EGP
16	Algerian Dinar	DZD
17	Mauritian Rupee	MUR
18	West African CFA Franc	XOF
19	Central African CFA Franc	XAF
20	Kenyan Shilling	KES
21	Rwandan Franc	RWF

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

Compare Today’s TND Exchange Rate

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.

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.

USD/LYD Rate Comparison

1 LYD = 0.18 USD

1 USD = 5.41 LYD

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.

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.

USD/MAD Rate Comparison

1 MAD = 0.11 USD

1 USD = 9.12 MAD

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.

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

Compare Today’s GHS Exchange Rate

Botswana Pula (BWP)

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

USD/BWP Rate Comparison

1 BWP = 0.074 USD

1 USD = 13.15 BWP

Seychelles Rupee (SCR)

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

Compare Today’s SCR Exchange Rate

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.

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.

Compare Today’s ERN Exchange Rate

Namibian Dollar (NAD)

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

Compare Today’s NAD Exchange Rate

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

Compare Today’s SZL Exchange Rate

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

Compare Today’s LSL Exchange Rate

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

Compare Today’s ZAR Exchange Rate

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. 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.

Compare Today’s STN Exchange Rate

Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)

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

Compare Today’s ZMW Exchange Rate

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. 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

Compare Today’s MRU Exchange Rate

Egyptian Pound (EGP)

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

Compare Today’s EGP Exchange Rate

Algerian Dinar (DZD)

Algeria's Dinar is supported by substantial foreign reserves from its significant hydrocarbon exports. While the currency is subject to strict government controls and is not fully convertible, its economic base provides underlying strength.

USD/DZD Rate Comparison

1 DZD = 0.0077 USD

1 USD = 129.70 DZD

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

Compare Today’s MUR Exchange Rate

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.

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.

Compare Today’s XOF Exchange Rate

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.

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

Compare Today’s XAF Exchange Rate

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.

Compare Today’s KES Exchange Rate

Rwandan Franc (RWF)

The Rwandan Franc reflects the country's renowned economic governance and fiscal discipline. Rwanda's focus on a service-oriented economy and political stability has resulted in a consistently stable and well-managed currency.

Compare Today’s RWF Exchange Rate

Conclusion

The strongest currencies in Africa in 2026 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 2026.

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Table of Contents

FAQs

1. Which Currency is the Highest in Africa?

The Tunisian Dinar (TND) is the highest currency in Africa with an exchange rate of TND/USD = 0.35.

2. Why is the Tunisian Dinar so strong?

It’s due to currency controls, sound fiscal management, and a diversified economy that limits dependence on imports.

3. Is the South African Rand a strong currency?

Yes, while not the highest in value, it’s one of the most widely traded and influential currencies in Africa.

4. What is the Weakest Currency in Africa?

Currencies like the Sierra Leonean Leone and Zimbabwean Dollar often rank among the weakest due to hyperinflation and economic instability.

5. What Is the Best Currency to Use in Africa?

It depends on your region. The South African Rand, Moroccan Dirham, and Botswana Pula are widely accepted and fairly stable.

6. What is the Strongest Currency in East Africa?

While East African currencies aren't among the top 5, the Kenyan Shilling (KES) is considered one of the most stable in that region.

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