Central banks and currencies of Africa
Encyclopedia
There are two African currency union
s associated with multinational central banks; the West African Banque Centrale des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (BCEAO) and the Central African Banque des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale (BEAC). Members of both currency unions use the CFA Franc
as their legal tender.
Below is a list of the central banks and currencies of Africa.
Currency union
A currency union is where two or more states share the same currency, though without there necessarily having any further integration such as an Economic and Monetary Union, which has in addition a customs union and a single market.There are three types of currency unions:#Informal - unilateral...
s associated with multinational central banks; the West African Banque Centrale des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (BCEAO) and the Central African Banque des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale (BEAC). Members of both currency unions use the CFA Franc
CFA franc
The CFA franc is the name of two currencies used in Africa which are guaranteed by the French treasury. The two CFA franc currencies are the West African CFA franc and the Central African CFA franc...
as their legal tender.
Below is a list of the central banks and currencies of Africa.
Country | Currency | Central bank Central bank A central bank, reserve bank, or monetary authority is a public institution that usually issues the currency, regulates the money supply, and controls the interest rates in a country. Central banks often also oversee the commercial banking system of their respective countries... |
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West African CFA franc West African CFA franc The West African CFA franc is the currency of eight independent states in West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Sénégal and Togo. The acronym CFA stands for Communauté financière d'Afrique... |
Banque Centrale des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest |
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Central African CFA franc Central African CFA franc The Central African CFA franc is the currency of six independent states in central Africa, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. CFA stands for Coopération financière en Afrique centrale... |
Banque des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale |
Algerian dinar Algerian dinar The dinar is the currency of Algeria and it is subdivided into 100 santeem .-History:The dinar was introduced on 1 April 1964, replacing the Algerian new franc at par.-Coins:... |
Banque d'Algerie | |
Angolan kwanza Angolan kwanza The kwanza is the currency of Angola. Four different currencies using the name kwanza have circulated since 1977.-First Kwanza, AOK, 1977-1990:... |
Banco Nacional de Angola | |
Botswana pula Botswana pula The pula is the currency of Botswana. It has the ISO 4217 code BWP and is subdivided into 100 thebe. Pula literally means "rain" in Setswana, because rain is very scarce in Botswana - home to much of the Kalahari Desert - and therefore valuable. Pula also means "blessing" as rain is considered a... |
Bank of Botswana Bank of Botswana The Bank of Botswana is the central bank of Botswana.When Botswana gained independence from Britain in 1966, the country was part of the Rand Monetary Area. In 1974 Botswana withdrew from the RMA, and the Bank of Botswana and Financial Institution Acts established the legal framework for a central... |
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Burundian franc Burundian franc The franc is the currency of Burundi. It is nominally subdivided into 100 centimes, although coins have never been issued in centimes since Burundi began issuing its own currency... |
Banque de la République du Burundi | |
Cape Verdean escudo | Banco de Cabo Verde | |
Comorian franc Comorian franc The franc is the official currency of Comoros. It is nominally subdivided into 100 centimes, although no centime denominations have ever been issued.-History:... |
Banque Centrale des Comores | |
Congolese franc Congolese franc The franc is the currency of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is subdivided into 100 centimes.-First franc, 1887-1967:During Belgian colonial rule, currency denominated in centimes and francs was issued for use in Congo. These francs were equal in value to the Belgian franc. From 1916, the... |
Banque Centrale du Congo | |
Djiboutian franc Djiboutian franc The franc is the currency of Djibouti. The ISO 4217 currency code is DJF. Historically it was subdivided into 100 centimes.- History :... |
Banque Centrale de Djibouti | |
Egyptian pound Egyptian pound The Egyptian Pound is the currency of Egypt. It is divided into 100 Qirsh , or 1,000 Milliemes .... |
Central Bank of Egypt Central Bank of Egypt The Central Bank of Egypt is the central bank of Egypt. The bank's paid-up capital is 1000 million Egyptian pounds. According to its website, the CBE:*Regulates banks and the banking system of Egypt... |
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Eritrean nakfa Eritrean nakfa The nakfa is the currency of Eritrea. It is divided into 100 cents. The currency was introduced in 1997 to replace the Ethiopian birr at par, and it was named after the town of Nakfa.For an earlier currency of Eritrea, see tallero.... |
Bank of Eritrea Bank of Eritrea The Bank of Eritrea is the central bank of Eritrea. The bank is located in Asmara, the capital. The central bank is interested in encouraging foreign investment and in importing capital goods such as industrial machinery and agricultural equipment... |
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Ethiopian birr Ethiopian birr The birr is the unit of currency in Ethiopia. Before 1976, dollar was the official English translation of birr. Today, it is officially birr in English as well.... |
National Bank of Ethiopia National Bank of Ethiopia The National Bank of Ethiopia is the central bank of Ethiopia. Its headquarters are in the capital city of Addis Ababa. The bank's name is abbreviated to NBE.-History:... |
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Gambian dalasi Gambian dalasi The dalasi is the currency of the Gambia. It is subdivided into 100 bututs. The dalasi was adopted in 1971. It replaced the Gambian pound at a rate of 1 pound = 5 dalasi, i.e., 1 dalasi = 0.2 pound = 4 shillings.-Coins:... |
Central Bank of The Gambia Central Bank of The Gambia The Central Bank of The Gambia is the central bank of Gambia. Its name is abbreviated to CBG. The bank is located in Banjul.-Operations:... |
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Ghanaian cedi Ghanaian cedi The Ghana Cedi is the unit of currency of Ghana. The word "cedi" is derived from the Akan word for cowry shell. The Ghana cedi was introduced on 3 July 2007 and is equal to 10,000 old cedis... |
Bank of Ghana Bank of Ghana The Bank of Ghana is the central bank of Ghana. It is located in Accra and was formed in 1957. Its name is abbreviated to BOG.-Brief Historical Background:... |
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Guinean franc Guinean franc -First Guinean franc:The first Guinean franc was introduced in 1959 to replace the CFA franc. There were 1, 5, 10 and 25 francs coins with banknotes in 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000 francs denominations. A second series of banknotes was issued in 1960, without the 10,000 francs... |
Banque Centrale de la République de Guinée | |
Kenyan shilling Kenyan shilling The shilling is the currency of Kenya. It is divisible into 100 cents.-Coins:The first coins were issued in 1966 in denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 shillings. Twenty-five cents coins were not minted after 1969; 2 shillings coins were last minted in 1971... |
Central Bank of Kenya Central Bank of Kenya The Central Bank of Kenya is Kenya's central bank. The bank is located in Nairobi. The current governor of the bank is Professor Njuguna Ndungu whose appointment took effect from March 4, 2007... |
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Lesotho loti Lesotho loti The loti is the currency of the Kingdom of Lesotho. It is subdivided into 100 lisente . It is pegged to the South African rand on a 1:1 basis through the Common Monetary Area, and both are accepted as legal tender within Lesotho. The loti was first issued in 1966, albeit as a non-circulating... |
Central Bank of Lesotho Central Bank of Lesotho The Central Bank of Lesotho is the central bank of Lesotho, in southern Africa. The bank is located in Maseru and its current governor is Dr. M. Senaoana.-See also:*Central banks and currencies of Africa*Economy of Lesotho*List of central banks... |
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Liberian dollar Liberian dollar The dollar has been the currency of Liberia since 1943. It was also the country's currency between 1847 and 1907. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively L$ or LD$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. It is divided into 100 cents.-First dollar:The... |
Central Bank of Liberia Central Bank of Liberia The Central Bank of Liberia is Liberia's central bank. Its current executive governor is Mr J Mills Jones.The offices of the bank are located in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia.-History:... |
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Libyan dinar Libyan dinar The dinar is the currency of Libya. Its ISO 4217 code is "LYD". The dinar is subdivided into 1000 dirham . It was introduced in 1971 and replaced the pound at par. It is issued by the Central Bank of Libya, which also supervises the banking system and regulates credit... |
Central Bank of Libya Central Bank of Libya The Central Bank of Libya is the monetary authority in Libya and enjoys the status of autonomous corporate body. The law establishing the CBL stipulates that the objectives of the central bank shall be to maintain monetary stability in Libya , and to promote the sustained growth of the economy in... |
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Malagasy ariary Malagasy ariary The ariary is the currency of Madagascar. It is subdivided into 5 iraimbilanja and is one of only two non-decimal currencies currently circulating . The names ariary and iraimbilanja derive from the pre-colonial currency, with ariary being the name for a silver dollar... |
Banque Centrale de Madagascar | |
Malawian kwacha Malawian kwacha The kwacha is the currency of Malawi as of 1971, replacing the Malawian pound. It is divided into 100 tambala. The kwacha replaced other types of currency, namely British, South African and Rhodesian, that had previously circulated through the Malawian economy... |
Reserve Bank of Malawi Reserve Bank of Malawi The Reserve Bank of Malawi is the central bank of Malawi.-See also:*Central banks and currencies of Africa*Economy of Malawi*List of central banks-External links:* at www.rbm.mw... |
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Mauritanian ouguiya Mauritanian ouguiya The ouguiya , also spelt "ougiya," is the currency of Mauritania. It is the only circulating currency other than the Malagasy ariary whose division units are not based on a power of ten, each ouguiya comprising five khoums .The ouguiya was introduced in 1973, replacing the CFA franc at a rate of 1... |
Banque Centrale de Mauritanie | |
Mauritian rupee Mauritian rupee The rupee is the currency of Mauritius.It is theoretically divided into 100 cents; however, as at October 2011, only 5 and 20 cent coins, are currently in circulation, the latest mintage of these two coins was in 2010. A Half Rupee coin is also in circulation.-History:The rupee was established by... |
Bank of Mauritius Bank of Mauritius The Bank of Mauritius is the central bank of the Republic of Mauritius. It was established in September 1967 as the central bank of Mauritius. It was modelled on the Bank of England and was, in effect, set up with the assistance of senior officers of the Bank of England.Amongst its... |
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Moroccan dirham Moroccan dirham The dirham is the currency of Morocco. The plural form is pronounced darahim, although in French and English "dirhams" is commonly used. Its ISO 4217 code is "MAD". It is subdivided into 100 santimat . The dirham is issued by the Bank Al-Maghrib, the central bank of Morocco... |
Bank Al-Maghrib Bank Al-Maghrib The Bank Al-Maghrib is the central bank of the Kingdom of Morocco. It was founded in 1959, and is based in Rabat. It holds reserves of foreign currency with an estimated worth of USD 36 billion . In addition to currency management, the Bank Al-Maghrib also supervises a number of privatized banks... |
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Mozambican metical Mozambican metical The metical is the currency of Mozambique, abbreviated with the symbol MZN or MTn. It is nominally divided into 100 centavos.-First metical :... |
Banco de Moçambique | |
Namibian dollar Namibian dollar The dollar has been the currency of Namibia since 1993. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively N$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies... |
Bank of Namibia Bank of Namibia The Bank of Namibia was established in 1993 to replace the never opened Namibia Reserve Bank. The Bank of Namibia is the only institution that is permitted to issue the Namibian dollar by authority that has been given to it under an Act of the Namibian Parliament. The head of the Bank of Namibia is... |
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Nigerian naira Nigerian naira The naira is the currency of Nigeria. It is subdivided into 100 kobo.The Central Bank of Nigeria is the sole issuer of legal tender money throughout the Federation. It controls the volume of money supply in the economy in order to ensure monetary and price stability... |
Central Bank of Nigeria Central Bank of Nigeria The Central Bank of Nigeria was established by the CBN Act of 1958 and commenced operations on July 1, 1959.The major regulatory objectives of the bank as stated in the CBN act of 1958 is to: issue legal tender, maintain the external reserves of the country, promote monetary stability and a sound... |
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Rwandan franc Rwandan franc The Rwandan franc is the currency of Rwanda. It is subdivided into 100 centimes.-History:... |
Banque Nationale du Rwanda | |
São Tomé and Príncipe dobra São Tomé and Príncipe dobra The dobra is the currency of São Tomé and Príncipe. It is abbreviated Db and is divided into 100 cêntimos, although inflation has rendered the cêntimo obsolete. The dobra was introduced in 1977, replacing the escudo at par.... |
Banco Nacional de São Tomé e Príncipe | |
Seychellois rupee | Central Bank of Seychelles Central Bank of Seychelles The Central Bank of Seychelles is the central bank of the Indian Ocean island nation of Seychelles. The offices of the bank are located in Victoria, the nation's capital, with the Governor of the bank being Mr. Pierre Laporte and Ms... |
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Sierra Leonean leone Sierra Leonean leone -Banknotes:In 1964, the Bank of Sierra Leone introduced notes in denominations of 1, 2 and 5 leones. 50 cents notes were added in 1979, followed by 10 leones in 1980 and 20 leones in 1982... |
Bank of Sierra Leone Bank of Sierra Leone The Bank of Sierra Leone is the central bank of Sierra Leone. It issues the country's currency, known as the Leone. The bank formulates and implements monetary policy, including foreign exchange.... |
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Somali shilling Somali shilling The Somali shilling is the official currency of Somalia... |
Bankiga Dhexe ee Soomaaliya | |
South African rand South African rand The rand is the currency of South Africa. It takes its name from the Witwatersrand , the ridge upon which Johannesburg is built and where most of South Africa's gold deposits were found. The rand has the symbol "R" and is subdivided into 100 cents, symbol "c"... |
South African Reserve Bank South African Reserve Bank The South African Reserve Bank is the central bank of South Africa. It was established in 1921 after Parliament passed an act, the "Currency and Bank Act of 10 August 1920," as a direct result of the abnormal monetary and financial conditions which World War I had brought... |
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South Sudanese pound South Sudanese pound The South Sudanese pound is the official currency of the Republic of South Sudan. It is subdivided into 100 piastres. It was approved by the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly prior to secession on 9 July 2011 from Sudan... |
Bank of South Sudan | |
Sudanese pound Sudanese pound The Sudanese pound is the currency of Sudan and also used in South Sudan until finalization of the introduction of the South Sudanese pound. Both Arabic and English names for the denominations appear on the country's banknotes and coins. On 24 July 2011, Sudan launched a new currency... |
Bank of Sudan Bank of Sudan Bank of Sudan is the central bank of the Sudan. The bank was formed in 1960, four years after Sudan's independence. It is located in Khartoum and its governor is currently Mohamed Kheir El-Zubeir.-History:... |
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Swazi lilangeni Swazi lilangeni The lilangeni is the currency of Swaziland and is subdivided into 100 cents. The South African rand is also accepted in Swaziland and it is issued by the Central Bank of Swaziland... |
Central Bank of Swaziland Central Bank of Swaziland The Central Bank of Swaziland, or Umntsholi Wemaswati, is the central bank of Swaziland. It was established in 1974 and is based in Mbabane... |
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Tanzanian shilling Tanzanian shilling The shilingi is the currency of Tanzania, although widespread use of U.S. dollars is accepted. It is subdivided into 100 senti .The Tanzanian shilling replaced the East African shilling in 1966 at par.... |
Bank of Tanzania Bank of Tanzania The Bank of Tanzania is the central bank of the United Republic of Tanzania. It is responsible for issuing the national currency, the Tanzanian shilling.... |
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Tunisian dinar Tunisian dinar The dinar is the currency of Tunisia. It is subdivided into 1000 milim or millimes . The abbreviation DT is often used in Tunisia, although writing "dinar" after the amount is also acceptable ; the abbreviation TD is also mentioned in a few places, but is less frequently used, given the common use... |
Banque Centrale de Tunisie | |
Ugandan shilling Ugandan shilling The Shilling is the currency of Uganda. Technically, the shilling is subdivided into 100 cents but no subdivisions have been issued since the revaluation of the shilling in 1987.-History:... |
Bank of Uganda Bank of Uganda The Bank of Uganda is the Central Bank of the Republic of Uganda. Established in 1966, by Act of Parliament, BOU is 100% owned by the Government of Uganda, but is not a government department.-Organization and Governance:... |
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Zambian kwacha Zambian kwacha The kwacha is the currency of Zambia. It is subdivided into 100 ngwee.-Etymology:The name derives from the Nyanja and Bemba word for "dawn", alluding to the Zambian nationalist slogan of a "new dawn of freedom"... |
Bank of Zambia Bank of Zambia The Bank of Zambia is the central bank of Zambia. According to its website, the principal responsibility of the bank is to create and implement monetary policy that will maintain the economic stability of the country.The bank's offices are located in Lusaka.... |
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Zimbabwean dollar Zimbabwean dollar The Zimbabwean dollar was the official currency of Zimbabwe from 1980 to 12 April 2009.... |
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is the central bank of Zimbabwe.-History:The bank traces its history to the Bank of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, founded in March 1956, which in turn was the successor to the Central Currency Board.... |
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See also
- AfricaAfricaAfrica is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
- Economy of AfricaEconomy of AfricaThe economy of Africa consists of the trade, industry, and resources of the people of Africa. , approximately 922 million people were living in 54 different countries. Africa is by far the world's poorest inhabited continent...
- List of African countries by GDP
- List of African stock exchanges