As South Africa continues to grapple with financial uncertainty, many readers could also be shocked to be taught that a number of African currencies are performing much better than the rand.
Primarily based on trade charges recorded on 1 December 2025, at the very least 7 African currencies at the moment outrank the South African rand when measured towards the US greenback.
Whereas the rand trades at 1 ZAR = 0.058 USD, quite a lot of regional and North African economies are sustaining considerably stronger items, usually pushed by secure financial coverage, pure useful resource wealth, and decreased reliance on international debt.
The High African Currencies Outperforming the Rand (December 2025)
As printed by XS.com, right here’s a more in-depth take a look at the strongest currencies on the continent — and the way they evaluate to the rand:
1. Tunisian Dinar (TND) — 1 TND = 0.34 USD
The Tunisian dinar stays the strongest forex in Africa. Tunisia’s strict international trade controls and comparatively diversified financial system assist shield its forex from volatility.
2. Libyan Dinar (LYD) — 1 LYD = 0.18 USD
Regardless of political instability, Libya’s large oil reserves proceed to prop up some of the invaluable currencies on the continent.
3. Moroccan Dirham (MAD) — 1 MAD = 0.11 USD
Morocco advantages from a secure banking sector, robust tourism restoration, and diversified exports, protecting the dirham effectively above the rand.
4. Ghanaian Cedi (GHS) — 1 GHS = 0.090 USD
The cedi has stabilised following years of turbulence. Stronger fiscal controls and IMF help have strengthened its efficiency heading into 2026.
5. Botswana Pula (BWP) — 1 BWP = 0.073 USD
Botswana’s repute for prudent monetary administration continues to shine. The pula constantly ranks amongst Africa’s most dependable currencies.
6. Seychelles Rupee (SCR) — 1 SCR = 0.068 USD
Pushed by a high-income tourism financial system, the Seychelles rupee comfortably outperforms currencies from bigger nations, together with South Africa.
7. Eritrean Nakfa (ERN) — 1 ERN = 0.066 USD
Eritrea maintains a hard and fast trade fee, which retains the nakfa robust on paper — although home entry to international forex stays tightly restricted.
8. Namibian Greenback (NAD) — 1 NAD = 0.058 USD
9. Eswatini Lilangeni (SZL) — 1 SZL = 0.058 USD
10. Lesotho Loti (LSL) — 1 LSL = 0.058 USD
These three currencies share a one-to-one peg with the South African rand underneath the Widespread Financial Space (CMA). Consequently, they match the rand’s efficiency precisely.
11. South African Rand (ZAR) — 1 ZAR = 0.058 USD
The rand ranks eleventh amongst Africa’s strongest currencies. Whereas it continues to face strain from load shedding, investor uncertainty, and gradual financial progress, it stays some of the traded currencies in rising markets.
The place the SA forex stands in Africa
Though the rand just isn’t among the many continent’s high performers, it stays influential as a result of South Africa’s monetary markets, regional commerce hyperlinks, and its function within the CMA.
Understanding how the rand compares to different African currencies provides South Africans clearer context about regional competitiveness, financial stability, and the function of financial coverage on on a regular basis monetary realities.
