A strong currency is good for the economy, and it helps countries increase their purchasing power, lower the cost of imports, and also attract investments from foreign companies.
In Africa, some countries have more valuable currencies than others, with strong currencies being tied to minerals and political stability.
Here is a list of the African countries with the strongest currencies:
Tunisian Dinar
$1=3.12 TND
The Tunisian Dinar is the official currency of Tunisia, a North African country on the Mediterranean coast.
The Tunisian Dinar is the most stable currency in Africa against foreign inflation rates, exhibiting low volatility compared to other African currencies.
The Dinar replaced the Franc as the official currency in November 1958 at the rate of 1 Dinar equals 1,000 Tunisian Francs, part of the new government’s efforts to regain economic independence post-French colonial rule.
Libyan Dinar
$1=4.85 LYD
The Libyan Dinar is the official currency of Libya, a North African country. It is one of the strongest currencies in Africa, maintaining its value over the years.
The Libyan Dinar was introduced in 1971 to replace the Libyan Pound at the rate of 1 Dinar equals 10 Pounds.
Ghanaian Cedi
$1= GH₵ 14.75
The Ghanaian Cedi (GHC) is the official currency of Ghana, a country in West Africa. Ghana enjoys the largest GDP per capita in West Africa, supported by its strong currency.
The Cedi was introduced in 1965 to replace the Ghanaian Pound at the rate of 1 Pound equals 2.4 Cedis. It was redenominated in 2007, with the new Cedi replacing the old Cedi at the rate of 1 new Cedi equals 10,000 old Cedis.
Moroccan Dirham
$1= 9.95 MAD
The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is the official currency of Morocco, a country in North Africa.
The Dirham has enjoyed relative stability since 2011, when King Mohammed VI introduced free market reforms to stabilize the economy. Morocco also benefits from direct trade with European countries like Spain and Portugal.
The Dirham was introduced in 1960 to replace the Moroccan Franc after the end of French colonial rule.
Botswana Pula
$1= 13.68 BWP
The Botswana Pula is the official currency of Botswana, a Southern African country famous for its diamonds.
Botswana introduced the Pula in 1976 to replace the South African Rand. However, the value of the Pula is linked to the South African Rand.
Seychelles Rupee
$1=13.44 SCR
The Seychelles Rupee is the official currency of Seychelles, an archipelago of 115 islands off the coast of East Africa. Seychelles has a small economy that mainly relies on fishing and luxury tourism.
Despite its size, Seychelles maintains a strict monetary policy that ensures currency stability. The Central Bank of Seychelles issues and regulates the Rupee.
South African Rand
$1=R 18.62 ZAR
The South African Rand is the official currency of South Africa, a country in Southern Africa. It is one of the most stable currencies in Africa and has maintained its value over the years.
The Rand was introduced in 1961 to replace the Pound Sterling as legal tender. It is issued by the South African Reserve Bank. Countries like Namibia, Lesotho, and Eswatini have their currencies pegged to the Rand.
Eritrean Nakfa
$1=15 ERN
The Eritrean Nakfa is the official currency of Eritrea, a country in the Horn of Africa.
Eritrea borders Sudan, Djibouti, and Ethiopia; it was once a province in Ethiopia before gaining independence. The Nakfa was introduced in 1997 to replace the Ethiopian Birr.
Eritrea maintains a fixed exchange rate to ensure the Nakfa’s stability and protect it from devaluation.
Namibian Dollar
$1=18.40 NAD
The Namibian Dollar is the official currency of Namibia, a country in Southern Africa. This currency is pegged to the South African Rand.
Namibia introduced the Namibian Dollar in 1993 to replace the South African Rand, although the Rand is still accepted in Namibia.
The Namibian Dollar is issued and regulated by the Bank of Namibia, functioning as the country’s central bank.
Lesotho Loti
$1=18.40 LSL
The Lesotho Loti is the official currency of the Kingdom of Lesotho, a country in Southern Africa. It is pegged to the South African Rand on a 1:1 basis, and both currencies are accepted as legal tender in the kingdom.
The Loti was introduced in Lesotho in 1966 as a non-circulating currency until 1980 when the first coins were issued to replace the Rand. The Loti is issued by the Central Bank of Lesotho.