If you’re planning a trip to Dakar or trying to figure out a business deal in Douala, the question of how much is $1 in CFA is probably at the top of your mind. It sounds like a simple math problem. You check a converter, see a number like 565, and think you’re done.
Actually, it’s a bit more complicated than that.
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As of January 18, 2026, the exchange rate is sitting right around 565.21 CFA francs per US dollar. But honestly, if you walk into a bank in Abidjan or a bureau de change in Yaoundé, you aren't going to get that exact number.
The CFA franc isn't just one currency, and it doesn't behave like the Euro or the Pound. It's a system with deep history, a fixed peg, and two different versions that look the same but don't always play nice together.
The Real Numbers: Breaking Down the Exchange Rate
Right now, the market is fluctuating. While the mid-market rate is 565.21, we've seen it range from 555 to over 563 just in the last few weeks.
Why the movement?
The CFA franc is actually pegged to the Euro. It’s a fixed marriage. Because of an old agreement with the French Treasury, 1 Euro is always equal to 655.957 CFA francs. No matter what happens in the local African economies, that number doesn't budge.
So, when you ask how much is $1 in CFA, what you're really asking is: "How strong is the US dollar against the Euro today?"
When the Euro gets stronger against the Dollar, your $1 buys fewer CFA francs. When the Dollar is king, you get more bang for your buck in West and Central Africa. In early 2025, we saw rates as high as 639, which was great for travelers but tough for local businesses importing goods priced in Dollars.
XOF vs. XAF: The Confusion Nobody Talks About
Here is where most people get tripped up. There isn't just one "CFA." There are two:
- XOF (West African CFA franc): Used in countries like Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Togo.
- XAF (Central African CFA franc): Used in Cameroon, Gabon, Chad, and others.
They have the exact same value. They are both pegged to the Euro at that same 655.957 rate. But—and this is a huge "but"—they aren't legally interchangeable.
If you have a pocket full of XOF from a business trip in Senegal and you fly to Cameroon (which uses XAF), the shopkeeper in Cameroon can technically refuse your money. You’ll have to go to a bank to swap one "flavor" of CFA for the other. It’s a weird quirk of the system that catches a lot of people off guard.
Why the "Eco" Change Matters (Or Doesn't)
You might have heard talk about the "Eco."
Back in 2019, there was a big announcement that the West African CFA (XOF) would be renamed the Eco. The idea was to move away from the colonial-era name and reduce some of the control France has over the currency.
Fast forward to 2026, and the transition is... well, it's a slow burn.
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The BCEAO (Central Bank of West African States) is pushing forward with digital initiatives like the e-CFA, but for the person on the street, it’s still the CFA. The peg to the Euro remains. The guarantee from the French Treasury remains.
If you're watching the rate because you want to invest, keep an eye on the WAEMU (West African Economic and Monetary Union) reforms. They've recently tightened up rules on how much foreign currency you can move out of the region. They’re getting stricter about money laundering and "financial flows," which means if you're moving large amounts of Dollars into CFA, you're going to face more paperwork than you did two years ago.
Practical Advice for Your Wallet
If you're dealing with cash, don't rely on the "Google rate."
- Fees eat your lunch: Banks in the region often charge a 2% to 3% commission on top of the exchange rate.
- The $100 Bill Rule: In many parts of Africa, you'll actually get a better exchange rate for a crisp, new $100 bill than you will for ten $10 bills. Small bills are often "taxed" by local traders because they're harder to process.
- ATM vs. Exchange: Usually, using a local ATM (like Ecobank or SGBC) will give you a rate closer to the official 565 mark than a street changer would.
Where the Rate is Heading
Economists at the IMF and various regional banks are currently watching inflation in the Eurozone. Since the CFA is hitched to the Euro's wagon, any interest rate hikes by the European Central Bank will indirectly affect how many francs you get for your Dollar.
Currently, inflation in the West African zone is hovering around 2.2%, which is actually quite stable compared to neighbors like Nigeria or Ghana, where currencies have been much more volatile. That’s the "benefit" of the peg—it keeps things predictable, even if it limits how much these countries can control their own monetary destiny.
To get the most value for your money today, use a transfer service like Wise or Remitly if you're sending funds to a bank account. If you're carrying cash, ensure your US dollars are printed after 2021 and have no tears or markings, or you might find yourself stuck with a rate much lower than 565.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Euro-to-USD pair: Since the CFA is fixed to the Euro, tracking the EUR/USD pair on any financial app will tell you exactly which way your CFA value is moving in real-time.
- Verify your region: Ensure you are buying XOF for West Africa (Dakar, Abidjan, Bamako) or XAF for Central Africa (Douala, Libreville, Bangui) to avoid exchange headaches upon arrival.
- Update your budget: Use a baseline of 560 CFA per $1 for your planning to account for bank fees and local spreads, rather than the "perfect" market rate.