21 Weakest Currencies in Africa in 2025

What are the Weakest Currencies in Africa?

The top 21 weakest currencies in Africa, as of 1 December 2025, are listed below. The list is ranked by the nominal value of one unit of each currency in USD, from lowest to highest.

Important Note on Exchange Rates: This ranking is based primarily on the nominal exchange rate (the USD value of one unit of local currency). A low nominal value is often a sign of historical economic distress, such as hyperinflation. However, it does not always reflect current stability. Some currencies with a low nominal value (like the CFA Francs) are pegged to the Euro and are quite stable, while others with a higher nominal value can be experiencing rapid devaluation.

Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL)

The Sierra Leonean Leone is the weakest currency in Africa in 2025.

USD/SLE Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 SLL = 0.000044 USD

1 USD = 22,814.95 SLL

The Leone is currently the weakest African currency by value, with over 20,000 leones needed to buy a single US dollar, which ultimately makes Sierra Leone one of the African countries with the lowest currency value.

Guinean Franc (GNF)

The Guinean Franc reflects the country's ongoing economic struggles, making it one of the weakest currencies in Africa.

USD/GNF Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 GNF = 0.00011 USD

1 USD = 8,677.03 GNF

Despite Guinea's rich mineral resources, infrastructural deficits and political instability hinder effective resource utilization, leading to a weak currency.

The Guinean Franc has been particularly volatile in the informal market, where parallel exchange rates often differ significantly from official rates.

Malagasy Ariary (MGA)

The Ariary reflects Madagascar's severe economic challenges, including political instability and a heavy reliance on a few agricultural exports like vanilla.  

USD/MGA Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 MGA = 0.00022 USD

1 USD = 4,479.64 MGA

Widespread poverty and vulnerability to climate shocks contribute to its weak standing.

Ugandan Shilling (UGX)

The Ugandan Shilling is the third weakest currency in Africa.

USD/UGX Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 UGX = 0.00027 USD

1 USD = 3,632.70 UGX

Factors such as declining remittances, a widening trade deficit, and inflationary pressures have contributed to its depreciation. While the government has initiated infrastructure projects to stimulate the economy, their impact on currency stabilization remains to be seen.

Burundian Franc (BIF)

The Burundian Franc is among the weakest currencies in Africa.

USD/BIF Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 BIF = 0.00034 USD

1 USD = 2,946.41 BIF

Burundi's economy faces challenges, including low export earnings, heavy reliance on external aid, and limited industrialization, all contributing to the currency's weakness.

Tanzanian Shilling (TZS)

The Tanzanian Shilling has experienced a slight appreciation in recent months, which made it appear in the list of the weakest African currencies of 2025. However, rising import bills and limited foreign exchange reserves continue to pose challenges to its stability.

USD/TZS Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 TZS = 0.00040 USD

1 USD = 2,460.04 TZS

The Bank of Tanzania actively intervenes in the market to smooth out excessive volatility.

Congolese Franc (CDF)

Despite the Democratic Republic of Congo's vast mineral wealth, ongoing conflicts, governance issues, and infrastructural challenges impede economic stability, affecting the currency's strength, the Congolese Franc remains among the weakest currencies in Africa.

USD/CDF Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 CDF = 0.00044 USD

1 USD = 2,280.75 CDF

The government has struggled to attract sustained foreign investment due to currency instability and legal uncertainty.

Malawian Kwacha (MWK)

Persistent trade imbalances, low foreign direct investment, and reliance on donor aid contribute to the Malawian Kwacha’s vulnerability to external shocks.

USD/MWK Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 MWK = 0.000578 USD

1 USD = 1,727.92 MWK

In November 2023, Malawi devalued the Kwacha by over 40% in an effort to secure IMF support and address its widening fiscal gap.

Rwandan Franc (RWF)

The Rwandan Franc has depreciated against regional currencies like the Kenyan Shilling.

USD/RWF Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 RWF = 0.000690 USD

1 USD = 1,450.10RWF

Factors such as increased foreign exchange inflows into neighboring countries and monetary policy adjustments have influenced its performance.

Nigerian Naira (NGN)

The Nigerian Naira is among the weakest currencies in Africa in 2025.

USD/NGN Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 NGN = 0.000690 USD

1 USD = 1,443.25 NGN

Despite recent appreciation, the Naira has faced significant depreciation due to foreign exchange shortages, declining oil revenues, and policy reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies.

Angolan Kwanza (AOA)

The Angolan Kwanza remains one of Africa's weakest currencies in 2025.

USD/AOA Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 AOA = 0.001093 USD

1 USD = 914.15 AOA

The AOA has depreciated significantly in recent years due to Angola’s high dependence on oil exports, limited diversification, and persistent inflation. 

Sudanese Pound (SDG)

Years of civil conflict, international sanctions, and economic fragmentation have severely weakened the Sudanese Pound.

USD/SDG Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 SDG = 0.001666 USD

1 USD = 599.90 SDG

The devaluation reflects structural weaknesses in governance, inflation exceeding 100%, and an ongoing lack of access to international financial markets. Political uncertainty continues to hinder currency stability.

Somali Shilling (SOS)

Despite some stabilization efforts, Somalia's currency remains weak due to ongoing political instability, limited central bank authority, and a heavy reliance on informal financial systems.

USD/SOS Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 SOS = 0.001760 USD

1 USD =  568.18 SOS

The lack of a unified monetary policy and the prevalence of counterfeit currency further exacerbate the Shilling's vulnerability in the foreign exchange market.

West African CFA Franc (XOF)  

This currency is included due to its low nominal value, but it stands apart from others on the list. Pegged to the Euro, it benefits from exceptional stability and low inflation, making it weak in unit value yet strong in terms of predictability and trust across the West African region.

USD/XOF Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 XOF = 0.001764 USD

1 USD = 565.80 XOF

Central African CFA Franc (XAF)

Although it has a low nominal value, the Central African CFA Franc remains one of the continent’s most stable currencies.

USD/XAF Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 XAF = 0.001764 USD

1 USD = 565.80 XAF

Its peg to the Euro ensures steady exchange rates and low inflation, making it a reliable and trusted currency across the Central African region despite its modest face value.

Comorian Franc (KMF)

The Comorian Franc is one of the least valued currencies in Africa, though relatively more stable due to its peg.

USD/KMF Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 KMF = 0.002357 USD

1 USD = 424.18 KMF

Despite its weak exchange rate, the KMF is pegged to the euro under an arrangement with the French Treasury, which provides some monetary stability. 

Liberian Dollar (LRD)

The Liberian Dollar operates alongside the US Dollar in a largely dollarized economy.

USD/LRD Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 LRD = 0.005652 USD

1 USD = 176.90 LRD

Its weakness stems from low foreign reserves, a lack of export diversification, and the lingering effects of past conflicts. 

Ethiopian Birr (ETB)

Economic challenges, including inflation, political unrest, and foreign exchange shortages, have contributed to the Ethiopian Birr.

USD/ETB Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 ETB = 0.006502 USD

1 USD = 153.79 ETB

The Birr remains overvalued on the official market compared to parallel rates, creating pressure for gradual devaluation.

Kenyan Shilling (KES)

The Kenyan Shilling has experienced significant depreciation due to a strong demand for US dollars to service high external debt and pay for essential imports.

USD/KES Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 KES = 0.00007723  USD

1 USD = 129.44 KES

This has placed it among the weaker currencies by nominal value in the region.

Mozambican Metical (MZN)

The Mozambican Metical is one of Africa’s lowest-valued currencies in 2025.

USD/MZN Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 MZN = 0.01565 USD

1 USD = 63.89 MZN

Mozambique continues to struggle with the effects of natural disasters, public debt accumulation, and corruption scandals. 

Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG)

Zimbabwe's new gold backed currency, the ZWG, is an attempt to end decades of hyperinflation that rendered the previous Zimbabwean Dollar virtually worthless.

USD/ZWG Rate Comparison (1 December 2025):

1 ZWG = 0.03778 USD

1 USD = 26.46 ZWG

While its launch has brought some temporary stability, its long-term viability is still highly uncertain, and it remains one of the region's weakest currencies. 

Conclusion

Many African currencies continue to face pressure in 2025 due to long-standing economic and political challenges. From inflation and trade deficits to weak government finances, the reasons behind currency depreciation are often deeply interconnected.

This expanded list of 21 currencies offers a broader view of these challenges across the continent. While some nations are moving toward greater financial stability, others still depend heavily on imports, foreign aid, and limited export sectors.

For a wider perspective, you can also explore our guides on the weakest currencies in the world and the strongest currencies in Africa, which together highlight how both global and regional dynamics shape Africa’s economic resilience.