Handling money in Niger is straightforward and essential for a smooth visit. Niger uses the West African CFA franc (XOF or FCFA), a currency shared by eight West African countries. It is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate of 655 XOF per 1 euro, providing stability. The exchange rate is roughly 600 XOF per US dollar. “CFA” stands for Communauté Financière Africaine, a legacy of the post-colonial financial community, but locals simply call it “franc” in everyday conversations.
With about 50,000 tourists visiting yearly, cash remains king for getting around.
Notes of Niger
Niger’s banknotes come in 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, and 10,000 CFA denominations, decorated with cultural symbols.
Coins of Niger
Coins are divided into 100 centimes, rarely used in practice, with circulating coins including 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 250, and 500 CFA.
ATMs
ATMs in Niamey are fairly common, especially around Kennedy Bridge where banks like Ecobank and UBA accept Visa and Mastercard with typical withdrawal fees of 2-3% plus about €4. In Agadez and Zinder, ATMs are less reliable, especially during the rainy season, and rural areas usually have none.
Black Market
Niger’s unofficial currency exchange is low-key. Anticorruption efforts in 2025 have reduced informal markets near borders like Illela. Rates can be marginally better (about 0.7% on euros) but come with risks including police raids and counterfeit 5,000 CFA notes.
Can you use foreign currencies in Niger?
Major expenses like luxury hotels, tour packages, and wildlife park permits sometimes accept US dollars and euros. However, everyday transactions require CFA francs.
Exchange Rate
The CFA franc remains stable due to its fixed peg to the euro at €1 = 655.957 CFA, keeping the official exchange rate at about 655 CFA per euro and around 600 CFA per US dollar.
