Central Africa Currency Guide
Currency of Central Africa: the short answer
Central Africa uses three currencies across eight countries. Six of them share the Central African CFA franc (XAF), fixed to the euro at 655.957 and issued by the Bank of Central African States. The two exceptions are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which uses the Congolese franc, and São Tomé and Príncipe, which uses the dobra.
The point that catches people out: the Central African CFA franc holds exactly the same value against the euro as the West African one, yet the two are separate currencies that cannot be spent in each other’s zone. Francs from Cameroon are not accepted in Senegal.
Central Africa Currency Comparison
| Country | Currency | Code | Symbol | Per 1 USD | Converters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇲 Cameroon | CFA Franc BEAC | XAF | FCFA | 603.48 | USD · EUR · GBP |
| 🇨🇫 Central African Republic | CFA Franc BEAC | XAF | FCFA | 603.48 | USD · EUR · GBP |
| 🇹🇩 Chad | CFA Franc BEAC | XAF | FCFA | 603.48 | USD · EUR · GBP |
| 🇨🇬 Congo (Republic) | CFA Franc BEAC | XAF | FCFA | 603.48 | USD · EUR · GBP |
| 🇨🇩 DR Congo | Congolese Franc | CDF | FC | 2,850 | USD · EUR · GBP |
| 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea | CFA Franc BEAC | XAF | FCFA | 603.48 | USD · EUR · GBP |
| 🇬🇦 Gabon | CFA Franc BEAC | XAF | FCFA | 603.48 | USD · EUR · GBP |
| 🇸🇹 São Tomé and Príncipe | Dobra | STN | Db | 22.54 | USD · EUR · GBP |
The three Central African currencies
Central African CFA franc (XAF) — 6 countries
Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Created in 1972 when the Bank of Central African States took over issuance, it is pegged to the euro at the same fixed rate as its West African counterpart. Several of these economies are oil exporters, which is central to the long-running debate about whether a euro peg suits them. Full XAF guide →
Congolese franc (CDF) — DR Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is by far the largest country in the region by population and area, and it stands outside the CFA zone entirely. The Congolese franc floats and has been subject to long inflationary pressure; US dollars circulate widely alongside it for larger transactions. Full CDF guide →
São Tomé dobra (STN)
The island nation redenominated in 2018, dropping three zeros to create the new dobra, and pegged it to the euro at 24.5 — reflecting close ties with Portugal. It is one of the smallest currency areas in Africa. Full STN guide →
Why Central Africa kept the CFA franc
West Africa’s CFA members agreed in 2019 to reforms — renaming their currency and ending the requirement to hold reserves at the French Treasury — as part of the stalled move toward the eco. Central Africa’s CEMAC bloc has discussed similar changes but moved more slowly, and the XAF arrangement has remained closer to its original form.
The economics differ too. Most CEMAC members are oil exporters, so their revenues swing with the oil price while their currency stays fixed to the euro. Supporters argue the peg provides stability through those swings; critics argue it removes the ability to devalue when oil revenue collapses. More on how African currency pegs work →
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency is used in Central Africa?
Three currencies across eight countries. Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon use the Central African CFA franc (XAF); DR Congo uses the Congolese franc (CDF); and São Tomé and Príncipe uses the dobra (STN).
Which countries use the Central African CFA franc?
Six: Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. All are members of the CEMAC bloc and share the XAF at a fixed 655.957 to the euro.
Can I use West African CFA francs in Central Africa?
No. XOF and XAF hold the same value against the euro but are separate currencies issued by different central banks. Francs from one zone are not accepted in the other.
Does DR Congo use the CFA franc?
No. The Democratic Republic of the Congo uses the Congolese franc (CDF), which floats. US dollars also circulate widely there for larger transactions.
Why is the São Tomé dobra pegged to the euro?
São Tomé and Príncipe pegged the dobra to the euro at 24.5 after its 2018 redenomination, reflecting close economic and financial ties with Portugal.