Skip to main content
Africa-Tour-Visa logoAfrica-Tour-VisaAfrica currency and budgeting
Africa currency by country

Africa Currency by Country | Cash, Cards, ATMs & Travel Budgeting

Managing money across Africa requires a practical mix of local cash, cards, ATMs, mobile payments and backup currency. This hub helps visitors understand how to budget for hotels, transport, food, activities and emergencies across all 54 African countries.

Browse countriesEstimate budget
Money planning made practical

How travelers spend money across Africa

Africa has modern payment systems in major cities and very cash-based travel conditions in local markets, border regions and rural tourism routes. A safe budget combines daily spending, backup funds and a realistic cash plan.

Cash-first travel strategy

Carry local currency for markets, taxis, street food, tipping, rural transport and small guesthouses. Card payments are useful in formal city settings, but cash prevents delays when networks fail.

Cards, ATMs and mobile money

Visa and Mastercard are strongest in major cities, supermarkets and hotels. ATMs should be used at bank branches or secure malls. In parts of East and West Africa, mobile money may be more practical than cards.

Backup USD and EUR

Clean USD and EUR notes are useful for exchange and emergency payments. Some countries prefer one over the other, and money changers may reject damaged or old banknotes.

Budget bigger or smaller

Budget higher for remote safaris, island transfers, private drivers and domestic flights. Budget lower by using city hotels, local restaurants, public transport and shoulder-season travel.

Hotels, food and transport

Separate your budget into accommodation, meals, city transport, intercity travel and activities. This makes it easier to see where cash is needed and where card payment may work.

Exchange-rate awareness

Do not rely on old exchange rates. Check current rates before travel and use the calculator on these pages to estimate local-currency costs using your own rate.

Budget calculator

Calculate a travel budget before arrival

Enter your daily costs in euros, add your trip length, then enter the current exchange rate for the destination currency. The tool estimates a total with a buffer for ATM fees, currency movement and cash-only surprises.

All 54 countries

Africa currency country guide

Use this table to open each country page and plan local currency, cards, ATMs and backup money before traveling.

Africa currency, backup currency and ATM planning by country
CountryCurrencyCodeBackupATM planning
AlgeriaAlgerian dinarDZDEURATMs are strongest in Algiers and large coastal cities; withdraw during bank hours when possible.
AngolaAngolan kwanzaAOAUSDUse bank-linked ATMs in Luanda and provincial capitals; carry smaller kwanza notes for markets.
BeninWest African CFA francXOFEURATMs are common in Cotonou but less predictable in smaller towns, so plan withdrawals before day trips.
BotswanaBotswana pulaBWPUSDATMs are reliable in Gaborone and gateway towns such as Maun and Kasane.
Burkina FasoWest African CFA francXOFEURWithdraw in Ouagadougou or Bobo-Dioulasso before moving toward smaller cultural or nature sites.
BurundiBurundian francBIFUSDATMs exist in Bujumbura and larger towns, but travelers should maintain a cash buffer.
Cabo VerdeCape Verdean escudoCVEEURATMs are available in main towns, but carry cash before ferry days or remote beach trips.
CameroonCentral African CFA francXAFEURATMs are easier in Douala and Yaoundé than rural and mountain areas.
Central African RepublicCentral African CFA francXAFEURATM access can be restricted, so travelers should arrange funds carefully before arrival and confirm local conditions.
ChadCentral African CFA francXAFEURBank ATMs are concentrated in N’Djamena; arrange cash before desert or plateau routes.
ComorosComorian francKMFEURATM access is concentrated in Moroni and larger island towns, so withdraw before inter-island travel.
Côte d’IvoireWest African CFA francXOFEURATMs are easy to find in Abidjan; withdraw before beach or heritage side trips.
Democratic Republic of the CongoCongolese francCDFUSDUse secure bank ATMs in major cities; remote parks and river routes need pre-arranged cash planning.
DjiboutiDjiboutian francDJFUSDATMs are most practical in Djibouti City; withdraw before Lake Assal or Tadjoura routes.
EgyptEgyptian poundEGPUSD / EURATMs are widespread in cities and resort towns; keep small EGP notes for daily transactions.
Equatorial GuineaCentral African CFA francXAFEURATM access is better in Malabo and Bata; keep cash before island or mainland excursions.
EritreaEritrean nakfaERNUSDConfirm money access rules before arrival and keep small local notes where possible.
EswatiniSwazi lilangeniSZLZARATMs are available in cities and valley tourism areas; cash is useful for crafts and community visits.
EthiopiaEthiopian birrETBUSDATMs are common in Addis Ababa and northern circuit towns but should not be your only plan.
GabonCentral African CFA francXAFEURATMs are easiest in Libreville and Port-Gentil, while park travel requires cash planning.
GambiaGambian dalasiGMDGBP / EURATMs are found in the coastal tourism belt; keep dalasi notes before river excursions.
GhanaGhanaian cediGHSUSDATMs are widespread in Accra and Kumasi; carry small cedi notes for local spending.
GuineaGuinean francGNFEUR / USDWithdraw in Conakry before Fouta Djallon or interior routes.
Guinea-BissauWest African CFA francXOFEURATMs are limited outside Bissau; arrange CFA cash before Bijagós island travel.
KenyaKenyan shillingKESUSDATMs are widespread in cities and safari gateways; keep cash before remote conservancy stays.
LesothoLesotho lotiLSLZARATMs are useful in Maseru and larger towns; carry cash for mountain lodges and pony-trekking routes.
LiberiaLiberian dollarLRDUSDATMs are concentrated in Monrovia; carry cash for beach and surf towns.
LibyaLibyan dinarLYDUSD / EURConfirm current banking access and local conditions before travel; arrange secure money handling.
MadagascarMalagasy ariaryMGAEURATMs are common in Antananarivo and major towns but less reliable near remote reserves.
MalawiMalawian kwachaMWKUSDATMs are available in major towns; carry cash before lakeshore or park routes.
MaliWest African CFA francXOFEURATMs are most accessible in Bamako; regional movement needs careful cash and safety planning.
MauritaniaMauritanian ouguiyaMRUEURATMs are concentrated in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou; arrange cash before desert heritage trips.
MauritiusMauritian rupeeMUREURATMs are common in resort zones and towns; keep small rupee notes for casual spending.
MoroccoMoroccan dirhamMADEURATMs are widespread in cities; avoid relying on card-only payments in souks.
MozambiqueMozambican meticalMZNUSDATMs are easier in Maputo and tourism gateways; withdraw before archipelago transfers.
NamibiaNamibian dollarNADZARATMs are common in towns but distances are long, so cash and fuel planning matter.
NigerWest African CFA francXOFEURATMs are easiest in Niamey; remote routes need pre-arranged cash and security planning.
NigeriaNigerian nairaNGNUSDATMs are widespread in major cities; keep backup cards because network outages can happen.
Republic of the CongoCentral African CFA francXAFEURATMs are most useful in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire; park routes need advance cash planning.
RwandaRwandan francRWFUSDATMs are good in Kigali and tourism towns; bring cash for community visits and local transport.
São Tomé and PríncipeSão Tomé and Príncipe dobraSTNEURATMs are limited, so plan cash before island drives and rural lodges.
SenegalWest African CFA francXOFEURATMs are common in Dakar and main towns; withdraw before delta or Casamance routes.
SeychellesSeychellois rupeeSCREURATMs are available on main islands; carry small rupee notes for local transport.
Sierra LeoneSierra Leonean leoneSLEUSDATMs are concentrated in Freetown and larger towns; carry cash before peninsula or island travel.
SomaliaSomali shillingSOSUSDATM and card options are limited; visitors should arrange secure money logistics with local hosts.
South AfricaSouth African randZARUSDATMs are widespread, but use secure bank or mall locations and avoid isolated machines.
South SudanSouth Sudanese poundSSPUSDATM access can be limited; arrange funds through trusted local contacts and formal providers.
SudanSudanese poundSDGUSDConfirm banking access and local conditions before travel; carry secure backup funds where appropriate.
TanzaniaTanzanian shillingTZSUSDATMs are common in cities and tourism hubs; withdraw before parks, islands and rural transfers.
TogoWest African CFA francXOFEURATMs are most practical in Lomé; withdraw before mountain or cultural routes.
TunisiaTunisian dinarTNDEURATMs are common in cities and resorts; keep dinar notes for taxis and markets.
UgandaUgandan shillingUGXUSDATMs are common in Kampala and tourism towns; carry cash before gorilla, lake and park routes.
ZambiaZambian kwachaZMWUSDATMs are available in major towns; withdraw before safari valleys or waterfall day trips.
ZimbabweZimbabwe Gold / US dollarZWG / USDUSDATMs may not be the best source for foreign visitors; carry clean USD bills in small denominations.
FAQ

Africa travel money questions

Should I carry cash when traveling in Africa?

Yes. Even where cards work in hotels and malls, cash is often required for markets, local transport, street food, tips and rural areas.

Are USD or EUR better as backup currency?

Both can be useful. EUR is practical in CFA franc countries and North Africa, while USD is widely used for tourism payments in East and Southern Africa. Carry clean, recent notes.

How much buffer should I add to my budget?

A 10% to 25% buffer is practical, depending on how remote the route is, how many cash-only services are involved, and whether the trip uses domestic flights or private transfers.