Here is the comprehensive financial historical report of the Republic of the Congo in International English, including all currencies that have circulated since the beginning of its monetary production, clearly highlighting the current official currency:
Country ISO Code: CG
Official Language: French
Language ISO Code: fr
Current Official Currency: CFA franc (CEMAC)
Current Currency ISO Code: XAF
Before colonization, trade was based on barter and the use of valuable goods such as ivory, copper, and agricultural products.
No formal currency was issued.
The Congolese franc was introduced during the Congo Free State in 1887, with coins and banknotes issued starting in 1896.
This currency circulated during the Belgian Congo period (1908–1960).
After independence in 1960, the Congolese franc continued to be used until 1967.
The Republic of the Congo is a member of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), which uses the CFA franc.
The CFA franc was created in 1945 for the French colonies in Africa, and the Republic of the Congo adopted it officially after independence in 1960.
ISO Code: XAF
Singular Name: franc
Plural Name: francs
Subdivision: 1 franc = 100 centimes
Issuing Bank: Bank of Central African States (BEAC)
Coins in circulation: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 francs
Banknotes in circulation: 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 francs
Designs / Symbols: traditional African motifs, landscapes, and cultural scenes of the region.
Status: official currency and actively circulating.
The CFA franc is a common currency shared by six Central African countries, including the Republic of the Congo.
It is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate of 655.957 CFA francs to 1 euro, providing relative monetary stability.
BEAC is responsible for issuing and regulating the currency in the region.
The country’s economy is heavily based on oil, natural resources, and agriculture.
The monetary history reflects the political and economic transitions from colonization through independence and regional integration.
Banknotes bear the signatures of the Governor of BEAC and the Finance Minister of member countries.
Coins and banknotes depict cultural, historical, and natural symbols of Central Africa, without featuring specific political figures from the Republic of the Congo.
The Republic of the Congo has undergone several monetary reforms linked to political and economic changes in the region.
BEAC regularly issues commemorative coins and banknotes for regional events.
The CFA franc is often the subject of debates regarding monetary sovereignty and regional cooperation.
This report provides a comprehensive overview of the monetary evolution of the Republic of the Congo, from the colonial Congolese franc to the current CFA franc, a stable and common currency within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community.