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Central African CFA Franc

Imagine traveling across six African countries without changing your money. The Central African CFA franc is a shared currency used by multiple nations, making it one of the world's longest-standing multinational monetary unions.

The Central African CFA franc is the official currency of six Central African countries: Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. Its international currency code is XAF, and it is issued by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC).

Today, the Central African CFA franc supports trade, banking, investment, tourism, and government services across the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). By sharing a common currency, member countries facilitate cross-border commerce while maintaining a unified monetary policy.

Daily Whoa Snapshot

Category: Currency
Currency Code: XAF
Issued By: Bank of Central African States (BEAC)
Used In: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon
Subdivision: 100 centimes (rarely used)
Known For: Shared currency of six Central African nations

Why the Central African CFA Franc Matters

The Central African CFA franc allows businesses and travelers to use the same currency across six countries, reducing exchange costs and simplifying regional trade. This monetary union helps strengthen economic cooperation within Central Africa.

The currency also supports financial stability by providing a common monetary framework for member states. Businesses, banks, and investors benefit from a unified currency that facilitates cross-border commerce and investment.

For travelers, the Central African CFA franc makes journeys across much of Central Africa more convenient, eliminating the need to exchange currencies when moving between participating countries.

Definition

The Central African CFA franc (XAF) is the shared official currency of six Central African countries. Issued by the Bank of Central African States, it serves as the legal tender throughout the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).

The Daily Whoa

The Central African CFA franc is used by six countries.
Its international currency code is XAF.
The currency is issued by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC).
It supports one of Africa's major monetary unions.
Travelers can use the same currency across all six member states.
The Central African CFA franc is distinct from the West African CFA franc, although the two currencies have the same fixed exchange rate to the euro.

History

The Central African CFA franc was introduced in 1945 during the French colonial period. Following the independence of its member countries, the currency continued under regional monetary cooperation. Today, it remains the official currency of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).

Banknotes and Coins

The Central African CFA franc circulates in a range of banknotes and coins used throughout the six member countries. Modern designs feature themes inspired by regional development, economic activity, wildlife, and Central African culture, along with security features that help protect against counterfeiting.

Where You'll Encounter the Central African CFA Franc

The Central African CFA franc is used throughout Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. Residents and visitors use it for shopping, transportation, accommodation, dining, banking, government services, and cross-border business throughout the CEMAC region.

You'll commonly encounter the Central African CFA franc through:

Retail stores and supermarkets
Banks and ATMs
Hotels and restaurants
Traditional markets
Government offices
Public transportation
Cross-border trade
Tourism services
Business transactions
Everyday purchases

What Makes the Central African CFA Franc Special?

One currency serves six countries

Few currencies in the world are shared by multiple independent nations. The Central African CFA franc allows six countries to use the same money, making travel and regional commerce far simpler than if each country had its own currency.

It strengthens regional trade

Businesses can trade across member countries without exchanging currencies, helping reduce transaction costs and encouraging investment throughout Central Africa.

It shares a common value with another African currency

The Central African CFA franc and the West African CFA franc are issued by different central banks and circulate in different groups of countries. However, both are fixed at the same exchange rate against the euro, allowing them to maintain equal value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Central African CFA franc?

The Central African CFA franc (XAF) is the shared official currency of six Central African countries and serves as their legal tender.

What is the currency code for the Central African CFA franc?

The international ISO currency code is XAF.

Who issues the Central African CFA franc?

The currency is issued by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), the regional central bank for the CEMAC monetary union.

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 Central African CFA franc as their official currency.

Why should I care about the Central African CFA franc?

The Central African CFA franc demonstrates how multiple countries can successfully share a common currency. It simplifies travel, strengthens regional trade, and supports economic cooperation across much of Central Africa.