West African CFA Franc (XOF)
The West African CFA franc has circulated across eight West African nations since the 1940s, issued centrally by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), headquartered in Dakar, Senegal. It's fixed to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF per euro, with France historically guaranteeing convertibility — a legacy of the region's colonial-era monetary arrangement that has persisted through independence.
XOF ⇄ USD Converter
History
The CFA franc was created in December 1945 as the currency of France's African colonies, tied to the French franc. After most West African nations gained independence in the early 1960s, they chose to retain a shared currency and formed the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) to manage it. The franc has been pegged to the euro at a fixed rate since 1999, when France adopted the euro. In recent years, West African leaders have proposed replacing the CFA franc with a new currency called the "eco" as part of a broader push for monetary sovereignty, but as of 2026 the transition has not been completed and the XOF remains in daily use across the zone.
Denominations
West 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 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 250 francs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries use the West African CFA franc?
Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo all use the XOF as their official currency.
Is the West African CFA franc the same as the Central African CFA franc?
No — they're separate currencies (XOF and XAF) issued by different central banks (BCEAO and BEAC respectively), even though both are pegged to the euro at the same fixed rate and trade at par with each other in practice.
Is the CFA franc being replaced?
West African leaders have proposed a new single currency called the "eco" to replace the XOF, but as of 2026 the plan has not been fully implemented and the CFA franc remains in circulation.
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.