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Here we listed the top 10 weakest currencies in Africa and their equivalent of 1 to the lowest currency of each country. Africa is a continent with a wide variety of currencies, ranging from the strong to the weak.
The strength of a currency is determined by its purchasing power, which is the amount of goods and services that can be purchased with a single unit of the currency.
The weaker a currency is, the less purchasing power it has. In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 weakest currencies in Africa.
The weakest currency in Africa is the Somali shilling, which is the official currency of Somalia. The Somali shilling has been in circulation since the early 1960s and is currently worth less than one US.
1. Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL)
The Zimbabwean dollar is the weakest currency in Africa with a value of 1 USD = 361.90 ZWL (as of August 2021). The currency has a tumultuous history, with hyperinflation causing its collapse in 2009.
Inflation reached over 231 million percent in 2008, leading to the country abandoning its own currency and adopting multiple foreign currencies such as the US dollar and South African rand. Zimbabwean Dollar currency is one of the top 10 weakest currencies in Africa.
2. Sudanese Pound (SDG)
The Sudanese pound has a value of 1 USD = 445.00 SDG (as of August 2021). After Sudan gained independence in 1956, the Sudanese pound was introduced as the country’s official currency.
However, years of political instability, civil wars, and trade restrictions caused the Sudanese pound to lose its value, leading to the country adopting a dual currency system of Sudanese pounds and US dollars in 2007. Sudanese Pound currency is one of the top 10 weakest currencies in Africa.
3. Mozambican Metical (MZN)
The Mozambican metical has a value of 1 USD = 63.01 MZN (as of August 2021). Following Mozambique’s independence from Portugal in 1975, hyperinflation and civil war led to a significant devaluation of the metical.
The country’s economic recovery has been slow, and inflation remains high, affecting the value of the currency. Mozambican Metical currency is one of the top 10 weakest currencies in Africa.
4. Libyan Dinar (LYD)
The Libyan dinar has a value of 1 USD = 4.48 LYD (as of August 2021). The country’s volatile political history and economic sanctions have led to a significant devaluation of the currency.
Despite possessing vast oil reserves, the Libyan dinar remains weak due to the ongoing political crisis in the country. Libyan Dinar currency is one of the top 10 weakest currencies in Africa.
5. Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL)
The Sierra Leonean leone has a value of 1 USD = 10,022.17 SLL (as of August 2021).
A brutal civil war and natural disasters have caused significant economic instability in Sierra Leone, leading to the devaluation of the currency. Sierra Leonean. currency is one of the top 10 weakest currencies in Africa.
6. Malawian Kwacha (MWK)
The Malawian kwacha has a value of 1 USD = 800.50 MWK (as of August 2021). Malawian Kwacha currency is one of the top 10 weakest currencies in Africa.
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in Africa, and this, combined with economic instability and corruption, has caused significant depreciation of the kwacha over the years.
7. Congolese Franc (CDF)
The Congolese franc has a value of 1 USD = 1,980.00 CDF (as of August 2021). Congolese Franc currency is one of the top 10 weakest currencies in Africa.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has a tumultuous history, with conflict and corruption hindering economic development and leading to the devaluation of the franc.
8. Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
The Zambian kwacha has a value of 1 USD = 22.11 ZMW (as of August 2021). Zambian Kwacha currency is one of the top 10 weakest currencies in Africa.
Zambia’s economic instability and political corruption have led to a significant devaluation of the kwacha, with inflation being a significant contributor to the currency’s weakness.
9. Ugandan Shilling (UGX)
The Ugandan shilling has a value of 1 USD = 3,657.50 UGX (as of August 2021). Ugandan Shilling currency is one of the top 10 weakest currencies in Africa.
Although Uganda has shown significant economic growth in recent years, inflation and economic instability continue to impact the value of the shilling.
10. Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
The Ethiopian birr has a value of 1 USD = 44.08 ETB (as of August 2021). Ethiopian Birr currency is one of the top 10 weakest currencies in Africa.
Ethiopia is one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa; however, currency devaluations due to inflation and external debt pose a risk to the birr’s stability.
Note: Please note that the currency conversion rates may change over time, the provided values are accurate as of August 2021 to 2023. You might also want to read top 10 strongest currencies in Africa.