Top 10 African Countries With the Weakest Currencies in July 2025

Top 10 African Countries With the Weakest Currencies in July 2025
Here Are The Top 10 African Countries With the Weakest Currencies in July 2025. This List Was Courtesy Forbes Currency Calculator.
Although currency depreciation can occasionally make exports more competitive, persistent currency weakness can have far-reaching negative consequences, especially for countries that rely heavily on imports, external debt, and foreign investment.
Inflation is one of the most obvious implications of a weaker currency.
Many African countries import essentials such as fuel, medication, machinery, and food. The cost of these imports grows as the local currency depreciates against the dollar or euro, rising prices for both consumers and businesses.
This exacerbates social instability, reduces purchasing power, and feeds poverty.
The sharp reduction in the value of the naira since the middle of 2023 has played a significant role in record-high inflation in countries such as Nigeria, which reached 32% in the middle of 2025.
A weak currency also increases the burden of external debt. Many African countries borrow in foreign currency. As their local currency depreciates, the cost of repaying these loans in dollars or euros increases significantly.
This can lead to debt issues, defaults, and a greater reliance on foreign bailouts.
Countries such as Zambia and Ethiopia, for example, have had to seek debt restructuring due to their inability to meet foreign-currency debt obligations while their native currency has fallen.
Furthermore, volatility in a country’s currency reduces investor trust. Stabilizing and strengthening the local currency must be a top priority for African governments seeking to lift millions out of poverty and build internationally competitive economies.
With that said, these are the ten African countries with the weakest currencies right now, according to Forbes’ currency converter, which was recently updated on July 22nd.
Top 10 African Countries With the Weakest Currencies in July 2025
Rank | Country | Currency value per US$ | Currency |
---|---|---|---|
1. | São Tomé & Príncipe | 22,281.80 | São Tomé & Príncipe Dobra |
2. | Sierra Leone | 20,969.50 | Sierra Leonean Leone |
3. | Guinea | 8,676.33 | Guinean Franc |
4. | Uganda | 3,588.41 | Ugandan Shilling |
5. | Burundi | 2,980.51 | Burundian Franc |
6. | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 2,910.05 | Congolese Franc |
7. | Tanzania | 2,610.00 | Tanzanian Shillings |
8. | Malawi | 1,734.03 | Malawian Kwacha |
9. | Nigeria | 1,531.38 | Nigerian Naira |
10. | Rwanda | 1,445.52 | Rwandan Franc |