Central African CFA Franc (XAF)
The Central African CFA franc circulates across six Central African nations, issued by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), headquartered in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Like its West African counterpart, it's fixed to the euro at 655.957 XAF per euro — a separate currency from the West African CFA franc (XOF), even though the two trade at par thanks to their identical euro peg.
XAF ⇄ USD Converter
History
Like the West African CFA franc, the Central African version traces back to France's 1945 creation of the CFA franc for its African colonies. After the Central African nations gained independence in the early 1960s, they established the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) in 1972 to issue a shared currency for the region, distinct from — but pegged at the same rate as — the West African zone's currency. Oil-rich Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, along with more diversified economies like Cameroon, have historically given the zone a different economic profile from its West African counterpart despite sharing the same monetary framework.
Denominations
Central African CFA franc banknotes currently circulate in these denominations:
- 1,000, 2,000 francs — common lower-value notes
- 5,000, 10,000 francs — higher-value notes
Coins are issued in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500 francs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries use the Central African CFA franc?
Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon all use the XAF as their official currency.
Is the Central African CFA franc the same as the West African CFA franc?
No — they're distinct currencies (XAF and XOF) issued by separate central banks (BEAC and BCEAO), though both are pegged to the euro at the same fixed rate and trade at par with each other.
Why is Equatorial Guinea part of a mostly Francophone currency zone?
Equatorial Guinea, a former Spanish colony, joined the CEMAC zone and adopted the Central African CFA franc in 1985 to strengthen regional economic ties, despite its different colonial and linguistic history from its neighbors.
Where can I see rates for other African currencies?
Check the full currency directory on the African Currencies homepage, which covers all 54 African countries.