CDF · CDF
Congolese Franc (CDF)
The Congolese Franc (CDF) is the official currency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This page provides an overview of its history, usage, and role in the country's economy.
Convert this currency
Converted amount
0.0004 USD
Exchange rate
1 CDF = 0.000443 USD
Updated
8/9/2026 12:00 AM
Source
ApiForex Managed Source 3
CDF · Congolese Franc
Congolese Franc (CDF): Overview and History
The Congolese Franc (CDF) is the official currency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a country in Central Africa. It is issued by the Central Bank of the Congo (Banque Centrale du Congo). The currency is subdivided into 100 centimes, although due to inflation, centime coins are no longer in circulation. The CDF is used for all transactions within the DRC, and its exchange rate is determined by market forces, though the central bank occasionally intervenes to stabilize extreme fluctuations.
The history of the Congolese Franc dates back to the colonial era when the Belgian Congo used the Congolese Franc. After independence in 1960, the currency underwent several changes, including the introduction of the Zaire in 1967, which replaced the Franc at a rate of 1 Zaire = 1000 Francs. However, due to hyperinflation and economic instability, the Zaire was later replaced by the New Zaire in 1993, and finally, in 1998, the Congolese Franc was reintroduced. Since then, the CDF has been the legal tender, though the country has faced significant economic challenges, including high inflation and currency depreciation.
Today, the Congolese Franc is essential for daily transactions in the DRC, from purchasing goods in local markets to paying for services. The currency is available in banknotes of various denominations, including 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, and 20000 Francs, as well as coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centimes, though coins are rarely used. The CDF's value is influenced by factors such as political stability, commodity prices (especially copper and cobalt), and foreign exchange reserves. For those traveling to the DRC, it is advisable to carry US dollars as well, as they are widely accepted in many urban areas, but the CDF remains the official currency for legal transactions.
- Code
- CDF
- Symbol
- CDF
- Current rate
- USD / CDF
Currency information
Last updated · 8/7/2026
Introduced in 1997, replacing the new zaire.
- Official name
- Congolese Franc
- Legal tender status
- Legal tender in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Decimal places
- 2
- Minor unit
- Centime · 1 CDF = 100 Centime
- Countries
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Issuing authority
- Central Bank of the Congo
- Central bank
- Central Bank of the Congo · Official website
- Exchange-rate regime
- Floating (managed float)
Common banknotes
FC 100 · FC 200 · FC 500 · FC 1000 · FC 5000 · FC 10000 · FC 20000
Common coins
FC 1 · FC 5 · FC 10 · FC 25 · FC 50
Also known as
CDF · Franc congolais · Congolese Franc · FC
Practical notes
- The currency is often referred to as the 'Congolese franc' in English.
- Banknotes of 10,000 and 20,000 francs are commonly used for larger transactions.
Priority currency pairs
The most useful conversions for this currency.
Congolese Franc questions
What is the CDF exchange rate?
The displayed rate is the latest available reference rate for USD/CDF. It can change throughout the day.
How can I convert CDF online?
Use the converter above to calculate indicative amounts between CDF and the other supported currencies.