8 African Currencies That Are Weaker Than Naira in 2013

Last updated on August 13th, 2023 at 08:50 pm

NGN1 is worth 25.68 SLL while it is 3.17 in Congolese Franc, this points to the fact that some currencies in Africa are still worth more than the Nigerian currency even after the government approved the floating of Nairain June 2023.

Congolese Franc, Leonean Leone, Tanzania Shillings, Malagasy ariary, Uganda Shillings, Burundi Franc, Malawian Kwacha, and Rwanda Franc (RWF) are the weakest African currencies against the Naira in 2023.

The list of weaker currencies against the Nigerian currency is a pointer that the currencies of the countries under review are in more terrible shape than the naira.

Worst-performing currencies than the naira

Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL)

The official currency of Sierra Leon is Sierra Leonean Leone which is the weakest currency in Africa and the most worthless when compared with global currencies.

1 SLL is NGN0.033. NGN500K is worth 19,300,724.83 SLL while $500K is worth over 7 billion in the country’s local currency.

Congolese Franc (CDF)

The Congolese franc (CDF) is the official currency of the Democratic Republic of Congo popularly called DR Congo

1 CDF at the time of this is 21 kobo, meaning, NGN5,000 is worth 24, 237.83 CDF while NGN1 million is worth 4,847,565.29 in DR Congo.

Tanzania Shillings (TZS)

TZS/NGN is 19 kobo. NGN5k is worth 26,562.72 Tanzanian shillings. When TZS is paired against the Nigerian currency, the naira does better.

But on the global stage, they are worthless as it is very rare to see any global trader who would want to accept NGN or TZS as a means of exchange.

Uganda Shillings (UGX)

Uganda shillings is one of the African currencies that is weaker than the Nigerian naira. UGX/NGN is NGN0.12. Coins have even been faced out of the market in Nigeria.

Madagascar Malagasy ariary (MGA)

While the naira continues to slide against global currencies for international trade, NGN500K is worth 4,845,688.08 MGA.

Regionally, the naira still has some weight, but our report on some of the African currencies that are stronger than the naira also shows that Nigeria priding itself as the giant of Africa is deceitful.

Malawian Kwacha (MWK)

MWK/NGN is 43 kobo

Somalian Shillings (SOS)

SOS/NGN is 78 kobo. No thanks to Somalia’s drought, poor leadership and ravaging terrorism led by Al-Shabab, one of the most dreadful terror groups in the world.

Rwanda: Franc (RWF)

Despite Paul Kagame’s revolutionary economic policies in Rwanda, the country still has a lot of things to fix years after the dark days of genocide in the country.

RWF/NGN is NGN0.41 at the time of this publication.

It is important to note that Rwanda’s health policy is one of the best on the continent. It follows a universal healthcare model.

Burundi Franc (BIF)

BIF=With BIF/NGN going for NGN0.27, the Burundian franc is weaker than the naira

Recap:

Below is the summary of African currencies that are weaker than the Nigerian currency using the official exchange rate

Currencies that gained over Naira in 2023

Naira had value over some currencies in Africa, but there was a twist, Naira fell further when the biggest economy announced the floating of its currency. The country says it would no longer peg its currency.

After the floating, these African currencies gained significantly over the naira:

• Gabon XAF to Naira
• Chadian XAF
• Benin Republic XOF
• Republic of the Congo XAF
• West African CFA franc
• Comorian Franc
• Somalian Shillings
• Central African CFA franc
• Ivoirean currency (XOF)
• South Sudanese Pound

Conclusion

The fact that the naira is stronger than some currencies in Africa isn’t an indicator that the Nigerian currency is better.

If Nigeria had visionary, selfless, economically savvy leaders, many African countries should have adopted the Nigerian currency by now.

For instance, the high inflation in Nigeria is forcing some of its denominations out of use e.g NGN5 is gradually becoming worthless.

Above all, the naira isn’t the lowest currency in Africa, but the fact the currency of a country that prides itself African giant can’t compete with other global currencies shows that all is not well with the Nigerian economy.

The comparison shows that a lot of economies in Africa and their currencies are in a critical state. They need fixing. Africa as a whole has not gained financial and economic independence because they are always at the mercy of its former colonial leaders.