Planning an Africa travel budget for the French-speaking countries starts with the currency: 13 of the 26 countries use the CFA franc, pegged to the euro, and the other 13 have their own currency. Everywhere, cash remains essential outside the big cities. Bank cards, Visa above all, are mostly useful in hotels and shops in the capitals.
This guide covers the currencies, the ways to pay and the traps that weigh on an Africa travel budget. The details are in the “Money” section of each country page.
The currencies of French-speaking Africa
The CFA franc: two currencies, one peg
The West African CFA franc (XOF) is issued by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). It is used in the eight WAEMU countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. The Central African CFA franc (XAF) is issued by the BEAC. It is used in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Chad.
Both have the same fixed peg: 1 euro = 655.957 CFA francs, since January 1, 1999, according to the BCEAO. The Banque de France points out that the French Treasury guarantees their convertibility. So 10,000 CFA francs come to about €15.24.
Watch out
West African and Central African banknotes are not interchangeable. According to Africa Check, each currency is legal tender only in its own issuing zone. Spend or exchange your CFA francs before crossing, for example, from Benin to Cameroon.
Other currencies pegged to a foreign currency
Two other currencies have a fixed rate. The Comorian franc is worth 491.968 francs per euro, according to the Banque de France. The Djiboutian franc is pegged to the US dollar: 1 dollar = 177.721 DJF, according to the data on our Djibouti page.
Floating currencies
The other countries have a currency whose rate moves. In the Maghreb, these are the Moroccan dirham, the Algerian dinar and the Tunisian dinar. In Mauritania, the ouguiya (MRU), the only local currency since 2018. In the Indian Ocean, the Malagasy ariary and the rupees of Mauritius and the Seychelles. In Central and East Africa, the Guinean, Congolese, Rwandan and Burundian francs.
The Tunisian dinar is a closed currency: taking it out of the country is prohibited, and in principle you cannot get any before you leave. In Algeria, only residents may bring dinars in or out, up to 10,000 DZD. In Guinea, you may not leave the country with more than 100,000 GNF.
Currency table for the 26 countries
These tables draw on the site's country pages, checked in October 2026 against France Diplomatie (the French foreign ministry's travel advice), the Belgian foreign ministry and the central banks. Floating rates are indicative: check the day's rate before you leave.
North and West Africa
| Country | Currency | Rate | Day to day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | Dirham (MAD) | Floating, 10.7 per €1 (April 2026) | Licensed exchange, keep your receipts |
| Algeria | Dinar (DZD) | Floating | Withdrawals are difficult |
| Tunisia | Dinar (TND) | Floating | Card at the hotel, cash elsewhere |
| Mauritania | Ouguiya (MRU) | Floating | Cash only |
| Senegal | CFA franc (XOF) | Fixed | Card in town, cash elsewhere |
| Mali | CFA franc (XOF) | Fixed | Card at banks and large hotels |
| Burkina Faso | CFA franc (XOF) | Fixed | Cash |
| Niger | CFA franc (XOF) | Fixed | No official information |
| Guinea | Guinean franc (GNF) | Floating | Card in Conakry only |
| Côte d'Ivoire | CFA franc (XOF) | Fixed | Card in town, mobile money |
| Togo | CFA franc (XOF) | Fixed | Visa cards only |
| Benin | CFA franc (XOF) | Fixed | Visa rather than Mastercard |
Central Africa, East Africa and the Indian Ocean
| Country | Currency | Rate | Day to day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameroon | CFA franc (XAF) | Fixed | Cash, card at chain hotels |
| Chad | CFA franc (XAF) | Fixed | Cash |
| Central African Republic | CFA franc (XAF) | Fixed | Euros in cash |
| Equatorial Guinea | CFA franc (XAF) | Fixed | Cards often out of order |
| Gabon | CFA franc (XAF) | Fixed | Cash, card in Libreville |
| Republic of the Congo | CFA franc (XAF) | Fixed | Exchange offices, ATMs |
| DR Congo | Congolese franc (CDF) | Floating | Recent dollars in good condition |
| Rwanda | Rwandan franc (RWF) | Floating, 1,135 per €1 (May 2026) | Visa and Mastercard common |
| Burundi | Burundian franc (BIF) | Floating | Cash |
| Djibouti | Djiboutian franc (DJF) | Fixed, 177.721 per dollar | Cash, ATMs in town |
| Madagascar | Ariary (MGA) | Floating, 4,881 per €1 (June 2026) | Card in town, capped withdrawals |
| Comoros | Comorian franc (KMF) | Fixed, 491.968 per €1 | Cash |
| Seychelles | Rupee (SCR) | Floating, 17.21 per €1 (June 2026) | Visa everywhere, Mastercard at MCB |
| Mauritius | Rupee (MUR) | Floating, 55.15 per €1 (June 2026) | Taxis without meters |
For the CFA franc, “Fixed” means 655.957 francs per €1. The indicative rates come from the “Presentation” pages of France Diplomatie, on the dates shown.
Cash or card?
The answer depends on the country, but the right habit is the same everywhere: bring both. According to our country pages, cash remains the norm in much of Central Africa and the Sahel. Cards are mostly useful at hotels, supermarkets and restaurants in the capitals.
Visa or Mastercard
In several countries, Visa works better than Mastercard. In Togo, according to France Diplomatie, only Visa cards let you withdraw cash or pay. In Benin, the Belgian foreign ministry notes that Mastercard is rarely accepted. In the Seychelles, Mastercard only works at MCB bank ATMs.
Our advice
Travel with two cards on different networks, at least one of them a Visa, and keep them in separate places. If one is blocked or swallowed by an ATM, the other will get you by.
Countries where you need to bring everything in cash
According to our country pages, cards are almost useless in Mauritania, Burundi, the Central African Republic and the Comoros. ATMs there are rare or unreliable. In DR Congo, the US dollar circulates in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets, but damaged or old banknotes are refused or exchanged at a worse rate. In the Central African Republic, France Diplomatie advises bringing euros in cash and exchanging them in Bangui.
In Côte d'Ivoire, mobile payment (Orange, MTN, Moov, Wave) is the most common way to pay, according to our country page.
Withdrawing money on the spot
An ATM is often the simplest option, with limits that vary by country.
- Madagascar: a single withdrawal is capped at 400,000 ariary, or 800,000 depending on the bank, and not every ATM accepts every card.
- Algeria: France Diplomatie considers withdrawals difficult and advises exchanging foreign currency instead.
- DR Congo: ATMs are rare, even in Kinshasa.
Before you leave, ask your bank about your limits and the cost of each withdrawal abroad. These fees depend on your bank, not on the country you visit.
Watch out
Withdraw cash during the day, at an ATM inside a bank or a hotel, and do not count your banknotes in the street. In Burkina Faso, France Diplomatie advises avoiding cash machines and mobile money kiosks at night.
Exchanging money
Always exchange money at a bank or a licensed exchange office, never on the black market. In the Republic of the Congo, exchanging money outside exchange offices is not allowed, according to France Diplomatie. Keep every receipt: in Morocco and Tunisia, you need it to convert your last dirhams or dinars back when you leave.
If you arrive with a currency other than the euro or the dollar (Swiss franc, Canadian dollar or naira), check before you leave that it is accepted locally. For Tunisia, everything is explained in our guide to exchanging euros for Tunisian dinars.
Declaring your currency
Several countries require a customs declaration above a threshold. A few examples from our country pages:
| Country | Declaration required |
|---|---|
| Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire | Above one million CFA francs (non-residents) |
| Morocco | Above 100,000 dirhams, on entry and exit |
| Algeria | From €1,000 in foreign currency |
| Guinea | Above 10,000 dollars or 10,000 euros |
Thresholds change. Check the entry requirements page for your destination before you leave.
Dynamic currency conversion: always pay in local currency
This is the most common trap with a foreign card. The payment terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your own currency (euros, Swiss francs or Canadian dollars) instead of the local currency. This is dynamic currency conversion, or DCC.
The rate applied is the merchant's or its bank's, and it is almost always worse than your own bank's. The Swiss comparison site Moneyland mentions an extra cost that can reach 10% in extreme cases. The French site JeChange cites a 2023 study that measured margins of 2.6 to 12% in Europe.
Our advice
When the screen shows two amounts, choose the local currency (MAD, TND, XOF, XAF, MGA…) or “without conversion”. If the seller chooses for you, ask them to cancel and start again.
The same logic applies to cash: a merchant who accepts your euros sets their own rate. Our article on paying in euros or by card in Tunisia works through the calculation on a real example.
How much should your Africa travel budget be?
We do not give an average daily budget. The gaps between countries and between travel styles are too wide for a single figure, and we have not found a reliable source covering all 26 countries. Instead, here are verified benchmarks to help you build your Africa travel budget country by country.
| Item | Verified benchmark | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 3-star hotel in Dakar | €99 a night on average (late September 2026) | Where to stay in Dakar |
| Rental car in Marrakech | About €15 a day (mid-October 2026) | Renting a car in Morocco |
| Rental car in Mauritius | 32 dollars a day on average (October 2026) | Renting a car in Mauritius |
| Car with driver in Madagascar | €60 to €120 a day | 3-week itinerary |
| “Go Pass” airport tax in DR Congo | 50 dollars on an international flight | DR Congo page |
Two countries sometimes ask for proof of funds on arrival, according to France Diplomatie: 100 US dollars per day in Mauritius, €30 per day in the Comoros. These are control thresholds, not recommended budgets. Keep the means to prove them, in cash or with a bank statement.
Watch out
Set aside a reserve for medical care. In Mali, according to France Diplomatie, medical fees are generally paid upfront. Insurance covering medical costs and repatriation is essential: see our health section.
Tipping: customs, not rules
We know of no official rule on tipping in these countries. We have only found sourced figures for Tunisia. A travel guide quoted in our article on paying in euros or by card in Tunisia mentions about 5 to 10% in restaurants. Elsewhere, ask your accommodation for advice.
Our advice
Keep small banknotes and coins in local currency for taxis, markets and tips.
Keeping your money safe
Do not carry large sums on you, and leave a reserve at the hotel. Our country pages report scams aimed at travelers: romance scams, inheritance scams, gold or diamond scams in Guinea. Never send money to someone you met online.
Several countries have areas the French foreign ministry advises against visiting. Also check your own government's travel advice, and our safety section. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality: check your case in the visas section and apply one to two weeks before you leave.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use CFA francs from Senegal in Cameroon?
No. The West African CFA franc (XOF) and the Central African CFA franc (XAF) have the same value, but each is legal tender only in its own zone. Exchange them before moving from one zone to the other.
How much is 1 euro in CFA francs?
1 euro is worth 655.957 CFA francs, at a fixed peg. The rate does not change. Do check, however, the fees charged by your bank or the exchange office.
Should you bring euros or dollars to Africa?
The euro is easy to exchange in the franc zone and in the Comoros, and it is the recommended currency in the Central African Republic. The dollar is essential in DR Congo. In Djibouti, both are easy to exchange. In DR Congo, bring recent banknotes in good condition.
Do bank cards work in French-speaking Africa?
Yes in large hotels and shops in the capitals, especially with a Visa card. Outside the cities, and in several countries such as Mauritania or Burundi, bring cash for your whole stay.
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