Currency in Chad: XAF Send & Spend FX Guide
Resources for Expats, Travelers, and Entrepreneurs Navigating Life and Trade in Chad with the Central African franc.
What's in this Chad currency guide?
What currency is used in Chad?
The official currency of Chad (country code: TD) is the Central African franc, with symbol FCFA and currency code XAF.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What currency should I use in Chad?
The domestic currency in Chad is the Central African franc.
What is the Central African franc currency code and symbol?
The three letter currency code for the Central African franc is XAF — symbol is FCFA.
What doe the Central African franc look like?
Here is an example Central African franc banknote:
Which countries use the Central African franc?
It is the domestic currency in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Is the Central African franc a closed currency?
No, the Central African franc is freely available and convertible. See guide: What is a closed currency?
What are equivalent amounts of USD and XAF?
Here are some popular conversion amounts for USD to XAF (US dollar to Central African franc)*.
| USD | XAF |
|---|---|
| $ 1,000 | FCFA 585,780 |
| $ 5,000 | FCFA 2,928,900 |
| $ 20,000 | FCFA 11,715,600 |
| $ 100,000 | FCFA 58,578,000 |
| USD | XAF |
|---|---|
| $ 1.7070 | FCFA 1,000 |
| $ 8.5350 | FCFA 5,000 |
| $ 34.14 | FCFA 20,000 |
| $ 170.70 | FCFA 100,000 |
More amounts
*Converted at the current USDXAF interbank exchange rate. Calculate actual payout amounts for Send Money and Travel Money exchange rates.
Things to know about the Central African franc
Here are some things you might want to know about the Central African CFA franc:
- The Central African CFA franc (XAF) is the currency of six independent states in Central Africa - Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
- It is represented by the symbol "FCFA" and is abbreviated as XAF.
- The CFA franc was introduced in 1945, replacing the French Equatorial African franc. It is pegged to the euro at a fixed exchange rate of 1 euro = 655.957 CFA francs.
- The value of the CFA franc is guaranteed by the Central Bank of Central African States, which is responsible for issuing and managing the currency.
- The physical currency consists of coins and banknotes. The coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500 CFA francs. The banknotes come in denominations of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, and 10,000 CFA francs.
- The banknotes feature images of famous historical figures, such as King Béhanzin and King Njoya. The design of the currency is constantly being updated, so the physical appearance of the coins and banknotes may vary slightly over time.
- The currency was introduced to the previously French colonies in Equatorial Africa in 1945, replacing the French Equatorial African franc. The currency continued in use when these colonies gained their independence. Equatorial Guinea, the only former Spanish colony in the zone, adopted the CFA franc in 1984.
- Both XAF and XOF currencies are referred to as the CFA franc.
Travel money for Chad
Using Wise for Central African franc travel money is a smart choice for savvy travelers. With its competitive exchange rates and low fees, Wise allows you to convert and manage multiple currencies effortlessly.
Be careful when using your own bank's Debit/Credit Card, as your bank may also charge an extra 3% as an “Overseas Transaction Charge” plus “Overseas ATM” fees for withdrawing cash on top of the standard Visa/Mastercard 2.5% from market mid-rate.
For card purchases, if you are offered a choice of currencies always select to Pay in Central African franc otherwise you will typically get much worst dynamic currency conversion (DCC) exchange rates.
If you really want Central African franc cash before departure, you can save money by ordering online. You generally get better rates and can pick up the XAF cash locally or even on travel day at the airport.
Chad: Travel Guide
Traveling to Chad requires careful financial planning to ensure a smooth and cost-effective experience. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate currency considerations and manage your money effectively during your visit.
Chad is a country located in central Africa that is facing significant security risks and political instability. Travel to Chad is generally not recommended due to the ongoing conflict, risk of terrorism, and the risk of kidnapping, crime, and other forms of violence. The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for Chad.
If you do decide to travel to Chad, it is important to exercise extreme caution, stay up to date on local security developments, and follow the advice of local authorities and your embassy or consulate. It is also advisable to have a well-planned and secure itinerary and to avoid traveling alone. It is important to be aware of local customs and cultural norms and to dress modestly.
Here are some other travel tips for Chad:
Bring copies of important documents: Carry copies of your passport, visa, and other important documents in case the originals are lost or stolen.
Stay in touch with your embassy: Make sure your embassy knows where you are and how to contact you in case of an emergency.
Be aware of your surroundings: Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings at all times to reduce the risk of crime. Avoid walking alone at night and do not carry large amounts of cash.
Respect local customs and laws: Respect local customs and laws, and be aware that some activities that are legal in your home country may be illegal in Chad.
Take necessary health precautions: Make sure you are up to date on your vaccinations and consider carrying a basic travel health kit. Drink bottled water and be cautious about the food you eat to reduce the risk of illness.
Top things to do in Chad
Given the current security situation in Chad, it is not recommended to travel to the country at this time. However, if you do decide to visit Chad in the future, here are some things you might consider doing:
Visit the capital city of N'Djamena: The capital city of N'Djamena is home to a number of interesting attractions, including the National Museum, which houses a collection of artifacts and artworks from Chad's history.
Explore the Sahara Desert: Chad is home to a large portion of the Sahara Desert, and there are a number of tour operators that offer safari and camel trekking trips into the desert.
Visit the Ennedi Plateau: The Ennedi Plateau is a stunning natural area in the north of Chad that is home to a number of fascinating rock formations, including the Arch of the Ennedi.
Learn about Chad's history and culture: Chad is a culturally diverse country with a rich history. Visit the Museum of Chad in N'Djamena to learn more about the country's past, or visit one of the many markets in the country to learn about local craftsmanship and traditional art.
Visit a national park: Chad is home to a number of national parks, including Zakouma National Park, which is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and chimpanzees.
It is important to note that the security situation in Chad is fluid and can change quickly, so it is essential to stay up to date on local developments and to follow the advice of local authorities and your embassy or consulate.
USD/XAF Market Data
The below interactive chart displays the USD/XAF change and UP📈 DOWN📉 trends over the past 1 Year.
Send Money to Chad - Best Rates
To get a good (and fair) exchange rate when sending money to Chad you need to find and compare exchange rates for International Money Transfers (IMTs).
The available FX rates for sending money abroad can be very different to the mid-market (wholesale) rate which you see reported online and in the News.
You should especially compare your own bank's exchange rates to those available from Money Transfer specialists to see how much you can save - we make that calculation easy in the below table.
Get a better deal for foreign transfers to Chad
When sending money to Chad it’s important to compare your bank’s rates & fees with those we have negotiated with our partner money transfer providers. To get a better deal you should follow these 4 simple steps :
- Open an account with a BER reviewed FX provider (id docs may be required)
- You specify the local or Central African franc amount you want to transfer
- Make a local currency domestic transfer for the requested amount to the provider's bank account in your country
- Once your funds are received by the provider the converted XAF amount will be transfered to the recipient account you specify in Chad.
Use the above calculator to compare the exchange rates of FX specialist providers rates versus your bank's standard rates you can hopefully save around 5% and maybe more - end result is more Central African franc deposited into the recipient bank account and less margins and fees kept by the banks!