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SCMPChina-EU trade, Xi touts ‘global influence’, Nato summit·Economic TimesWorld food prices ease for second month in June·Bank of JapanOutput Gap, Potential Growth Rate, and Labor Market Indicators·Economic TimesSensex jumps 262 points, Nifty closes above 24,270. 7 key factors behind today's D-Street gains·SCMPAustralia expects to gain extra US$26 billion from exports after Iran war raises prices·NYTLatest Jobs Report Shows Labor Market Is Not a Source of Inflationary Pressure·NYTWhy the Jobs Market Has Wall Street and Washington on Edge·Bank of JapanJapanese Government Bonds Held by the Bank of Japan·SCMPChina-EU trade, Xi touts ‘global influence’, Nato summit·Economic TimesWorld food prices ease for second month in June·Bank of JapanOutput Gap, Potential Growth Rate, and Labor Market Indicators·Economic TimesSensex jumps 262 points, Nifty closes above 24,270. 7 key factors behind today's D-Street gains·SCMPAustralia expects to gain extra US$26 billion from exports after Iran war raises prices·NYTLatest Jobs Report Shows Labor Market Is Not a Source of Inflationary Pressure·NYTWhy the Jobs Market Has Wall Street and Washington on Edge·Bank of JapanJapanese Government Bonds Held by the Bank of Japan·
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XAF

Central African CFA Franc

XAF · Used by 6 countries

42
Moderate
Risk
Historical Scores
394551Jul 2021Jul 2025Jul 2026
What does this mean for you?

The Central African CFA Franc is in decent shape overall, scoring 42 out of 100. There are some areas to watch, but no immediate danger. Your money is holding its value reasonably well compared to most currencies. The XAF is shared by 6 countries, so conditions vary depending on where you are.

You only need about 2.8%/yr to stay ahead. A basic savings account is enough. Calculator ↓

Inflation
1.3%
Debt / GDP
52.5%
GDP Growth
2.2%
FX Volatility
9.0
Governance
Not available
Reserves
3.8 mo
Analysis
What's working well
Prices are stable — your money holds its value well
What to watch out for
Banks are struggling — 19% of loans aren't being repaid
Restrictions on moving your money out of the country
The country is spending much more abroad than it earns — relies on foreign money flowing in

Countries using the Central African CFA Franc

CountryScoreLevelInflationDebt/GDP
🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea58High2.9%Not available
🇹🇩 Chad46Moderate-3.9%Not available
🇨🇲 Cameroon40Moderate3.4%79%
🇨🇫 Central African Republic36Moderate1.0%Not available
🇨🇬 Congo35Moderate2.4%25%
🇬🇦 Gabon34Moderate1.8%Not available
Detailed Equatorial Guinea analysis →

Savings Impact Calculator

XAF
Holding cash in XAF1.3% inflation
XAF 939−XAF 61 (6% purchasing power lost)
Your XAF 1,000 buys 6% less in 5 years
What if you invested XAF 1,000 instead? (5yr, in XAF terms)
Hold USD Cash
XAF 859
−XAF 141
-3.0%/yr net in XAF
S&P 500
XAF 1611
+XAF 611
range: XAF 734–XAF 3176
10% USD return + 0.0% FX · ±16% vol
Gold
XAF 1469
+XAF 469
range: XAF 418–XAF 4007
8% USD return + 0.0% FX · ±24% vol
Bitcoin
XAF 3052
+XAF 2052
range: XAF 180–XAF 18.4k
25% USD return + 0.0% FX · ±54% vol

All values in XAF. USD-denominated assets (S&P 500, Gold, Bitcoin) include an estimated FX gain of ~0.0%/yr based on the inflation differential between Central African CFA Franc zone (1.3%) and the US (~3%). This uses purchasing power parity as a long-run approximation — actual FX movements can differ significantly in the short term. S&P 500 based on 1957-2024, Gold on 2000-2024, Bitcoin on 2015-2024. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Not financial advice.

Holding other assets too? Calculate your full portfolio risk →
This score is based on our 12-factor risk model. Think inflation or debt should matter more? Build your own model with custom weights and see how XAF ranks differently.
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