Get Guardian on GoogleAs of mid-2025, several African nations continue to face significant currency challenges, largely due to inflationary pressures, reliance on imports, and prolonged macroeconomic instability.
According to a report by Business Insider Africa using data from the Forbes currency calculator (as of June 23, 2025), the following are the ten African countries with the weakest currencies against the US dollar:
1. São Tomé and Príncipe – The Dobra (STN) is the continent’s weakest currency, trading at 22,281.80 per US dollar.
2. Sierra Leone – The Leone (SLL) follows closely, at 20,969.50 per US dollar.
3. Guinea – The Guinean Franc (GNF) stands at 8,657.48 to the dollar.
4. Uganda – The Ugandan Shilling (UGX) trades at 3,605.57 per US dollar.
5. Burundi – The Burundian Franc (BIF) is valued at 2,975.85 per dollar.
6. Democratic Republic of the Congo – The Congolese Franc (CDF) stands at 2,905.28 per dollar.
7. Tanzania – The Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) trades at 2,653.06 per US dollar.
8. Malawi – The Malawian Kwacha (MWK) is at 1,732.71 per dollar.
9. Nigeria – The Naira (NGN) exchanges at 1,553.68 per dollar, reflecting recent depreciation despite signs of recovery.
10. Rwanda – The Rwandan Franc (RWF) rounds out the list at 1,448.29 per US dollar.
While some countries are showing early signs of recovery driven by policy adjustments, currency weakness continues to weigh on import costs, inflation, and household purchasing power.
