In pre-colonial times, African
currency included ingots, gold dust,
shells, iron, arrowheads, goats, salt,
cattle, beads, axes, blankets, etc.
This started to change from the
seventeenth century. Various colonial
powers introduced their own
currencies to their colonies.
Today African nations have their own
currencies. Here’s the top 5 most
valuable currencies in Africa as of
2014, with their value in US dollars.

5) Egyptian pound (1 EGP = $0.14)
Egyptian pound, which is divided into
100 piastres, is the currency of
Egypt. All Egyptian banknotes are
bilingual (Arabic and English).

4) Sudanese pound (1 SDG = $0.18)
The Sudanese pound is the currency
of Sudan. The banknotes and coins
are bilingual.

3) Ghanaian cedi (1 GHS = $0.31)
The Ghanaian cedi is the currency of
Ghana. It was introduced on July 1
2007. The word cedi is derived from the
Akan word for cowry shell which was
once used in Ghana as currency.

2) Tunisian dinar (1 TND = $0.56)
Tunisian dinar, which is subdivided
into 1000 milim, is the currency of
Tunisia. It is a criminal offence in
Tunisia to import or export dinar.
Once a year, a Tunisian citizen can
convert up to 6,000 Tunisian dinars
into foreign currency.

1) Libyan dinar (1 LYD = $0.83)
Libyan dinar, which is subdivided into
1000 dirham, is the currency of Libya.
It is the most valuable currency in
Africa. It was introduced in
September 1971. It is issued by the
Central Bank of Libya.


Nairalanders why was Naira not listed? To my knowledge Naira has more value than most of this currencies. Share your view on this post.