Top 10 African countries with the weakest currencies in March 2025

Business Insider Africa presents the top 10 African countries with the weakest currencies in March 2025.
This list is courtesy of the Forbes currency calculator.
São Tomé & Príncipe Dobra ranks number 1 on the list.

Significant currency depreciation affected the economy of several African nations including, Ghana, and Nigeria in 2024, with repercussions seen throughout the African continent.

One of said economic erosions was the depreciation of purchasing power of local currencies. For instance, Nigeria's inflation rate soared to 32.15% in 2024, significantly weakening the naira against major global currencies.

As local currencies decline against the US dollar, debt payment expenses rise. Countries with high dollar-denominated debt, such as Zambia, are more likely to default.

Furthermore, intra-African commerce loses since weaker currencies reduce export competitiveness, coupled with the fact that local production suffers, resulting in even more dependence on foreign goods.

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Foreign investors are cautious due to currency volatility. Infrastructure and company expansion depend on investment inflows, but sustained depreciation lowers returns in US dollars, making African markets less appealing.

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Also, weaker currencies make it more difficult to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since they limit government spending on infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

While several African countries boast some of the world’s best-performing currencies it also has some of the worst, predominantly in nations struggling with economic instability.

With that said, here are the weakest currencies currently according to the Forbes currency converter, last updated on the 25th of March 2025.

Top 10 African countries with the weakest currencies in March 2025

Rank	Country	Currency value per US$	Currency
1.	São Tomé & Príncipe	22,281.8	Dobra
2.	Sierra Leone	20,969.5	Sierra Leonean Leone
3.	Guniea	8,643.8	Guinean Franc
4.	Uganda	3,665.4	Ugandan Shilling
5.	Burundi	2,962.7	Burundian Franc
6.	Democratic Republic of the Congo	2,865.2	Congolese Franc
7.	Tanzania	2,650	Tanzanian Shilling
8.	Malawi	1,733.2	Malawian Kwacha
9.	Nigeria	1,528.4	Nigerian Naira
10.	Rwanda	1,438.7	Rwandan Franc