West African CFA Franc
XOF · Used by 8 countries
Risk
The West African CFA Franc is in decent shape overall, scoring 37 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 XOF is shared by 8 countries, so conditions vary depending on where you are.
You only need about 5.1%/yr to stay ahead. A basic savings account is enough. Calculator ↓
Countries using the West African CFA Franc
| Country | Score | Level | Inflation | Debt/GDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇮 Côte d'Ivoire | 42 | Moderate | 3.5% | 171% |
| 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau | 42 | Moderate | 3.8% | Not available |
| 🇳🇪 Niger | 41 | Moderate | 9.1% | Not available |
| 🇲🇱 Mali | 39 | Moderate | 3.2% | Not available |
| 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | 38 | Moderate | 4.2% | 62% |
| 🇧🇯 Benin | 32 | Moderate | 1.2% | Not available |
| 🇸🇳 Senegal | 32 | Moderate | 0.8% | Not available |
| 🇹🇬 Togo | 32 | Moderate | 2.9% | Not available |
Savings Impact Calculator
All values in XOF. USD-denominated assets (S&P 500, Gold, Bitcoin) include an estimated FX gain of ~0.6%/yr based on the inflation differential between West African CFA Franc zone (3.6%) 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.