What Currency Does Central African Republic Use?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
Exchange rate (approximate):
1 USD ≈ 574.29 XAF
1 GBP ≈ 769.88 XAF
Rates are indicative (July 2026) and change daily. Always check live rates before travelling. Rates by Exchange Rate API.
XAF converter
100 XAF ≈ 0.1741 USD
Central African CFA franc conversion table
| Amount | USD → XAF | GBP → XAF | EUR → XAF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 574.29 | 769.88 | 655.95 |
| 5 | 2,871 | 3,849 | 3,280 |
| 10 | 5,743 | 7,699 | 6,560 |
| 20 | 11,486 | 15,398 | 13,119 |
| 50 | 28,714 | 38,494 | 32,798 |
| 100 | 57,429 | 76,988 | 65,595 |
| 500 | 287,143 | 384,942 | 327,976 |
| 1,000 | 574,286 | 769,883 | 655,952 |
| XAF | → USD | → GBP | → EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0.0017 | 0.0013 | 0.0015 |
| 5 | 0.0087 | 0.0065 | 0.0076 |
| 10 | 0.0174 | 0.013 | 0.0152 |
| 20 | 0.0348 | 0.026 | 0.0305 |
| 50 | 0.0871 | 0.0649 | 0.0762 |
| 100 | 0.1741 | 0.1299 | 0.1525 |
| 500 | 0.8706 | 0.6494 | 0.7623 |
| 1,000 | 1.7413 | 1.2989 | 1.5245 |
Indicative rates (July 2026). Banks and card providers add their own margin and fees, so the amount you actually receive will differ slightly.
Against the US dollar, 1 XAF is worth about 0.0017 USD. Of the 141 currencies covered on this site, the Central African CFA franc ranks 114th by value per unit (1st = the most US dollars per unit). A high or low number says nothing about economic strength — it simply reflects how the currency is denominated.
Travel Money Card
Travelling to Central African Republic? Avoid poor airport exchange rates — a prepaid travel money card or multi-currency card usually gets you a far better deal on Central African CFA franc spending.
What is money called in Central African Republic?
Money in Central African Republic is called the Central African CFA franc — its ISO 4217 currency code is XAF, and its symbol is Fr. The Central African CFA franc is the official legal tender in Central African Republic and is used for all everyday transactions — from paying for goods and services to converting money at banks and exchange bureaus. When travelling, you may also see it referred to as the Central African Republic currency or simply money in Central African Republic.
Is the Central African CFA franc used anywhere else?
Yes — Central African CFA franc (XAF) is also used in Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo.
Not to be confused with other franc currencies
Several currencies carry the name “franc”, but each one is separate, with its own code, value and issuing country. The Central African CFA franc (XAF) is the currency of Central African Republic and other countries listed above.
| Currency | Code | Used in | 1 USD = |
|---|---|---|---|
| West African CFA franc | XOF | Benin +6 more | 574.29 |
| Burundian franc | BIF | Burundi | 2,993 |
| Comorian franc | KMF | Comoros | 430.71 |
| Congolese franc | CDF | DR Congo | 2,270 |
| Djiboutian franc | DJF | Djibouti | 177.72 |
| Guinean franc | GNF | Guinea | 8,777 |
| Swiss franc | CHF | Liechtenstein +1 more | 0.8079 |
| Rwandan franc | RWF | Rwanda | 1,470 |
Practical money tips for Central African Republic
Card payments are widely accepted in most cities, but it's still worth carrying some Central African CFA franc in cash for smaller vendors, local transport and rural areas. Notify your bank before travelling to avoid transactions being blocked, and compare card fees — many cards charge a foreign transaction fee that a dedicated travel money card avoids.
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Central African Republic in context
- Central African Republic covers 622,984 km², making it the 42nd largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- It shares a land border with 6 countries: Cameroon, Chad, DR Congo, Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Sudan.
- Central African Republic is landlocked, with no direct coastline.
- With 6,470,307 people, Central African Republic holds about 2.8% of the population of Middle Africa.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Monday.
- Central African Republic is a member state of the United Nations.
Central African Republic currency — FAQ
What is the currency of Central African Republic?
The currency of Central African Republic is the Central African CFA franc (currency code: XAF, symbol: Fr).
What is the currency code for Central African Republic?
The ISO 4217 currency code for the Central African CFA franc is XAF.
What is the Central African CFA franc symbol?
The symbol for the Central African CFA franc is Fr. You will see this on price tags and receipts throughout Central African Republic.
What currency is used in Central African Republic?
The official currency used in Central African Republic is the Central African CFA franc (XAF).
Can I use US dollars in Central African Republic?
The official currency of Central African Republic is the Central African CFA franc, not the US dollar. While USD may be accepted in some tourist hotels and major cities, you will generally get better rates paying in Central African CFA franc and should exchange money before or on arrival.
What is the exchange rate for Central African Republic?
As of July 2026, approximately 1 USD = 574.29 XAF and 1 GBP = 769.88 XAF. Rates change daily — always check a live source before travelling or sending money.
What is money called in Central African Republic?
Money in Central African Republic is called the Central African CFA franc (XAF).
Do other countries use the Central African CFA franc?
Yes — Central African CFA franc (XAF) is also used in Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo.
What is the Central African currency?
The Central African currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), the official money of Central African Republic.
How much is 100 XAF in US dollars?
At the July 2026 indicative rate, 100 XAF is about 0.1741 USD or 0.1299 GBP. Use the converter above for other amounts.
How much is 100 US dollars in Central African CFA franc?
At the July 2026 indicative rate, 100 USD is about 57,429 XAF.
Is the Central African CFA franc the same as other franc currencies?
No. Several currencies share the word, but each is a separate currency with its own code and value. The Central African CFA franc is XAF; others include West African CFA franc (XOF), Burundian franc (BIF), Comorian franc (KMF), Congolese franc (CDF).
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