Kenya and South Africa serve as recent illustrations of currencies exhibiting resilience despite sustained pressures from global markets.
Kenya’s shilling has remained relatively stable against the dollar for the last few weeks.
The Central Bank of Kenya quoted it at KSh129.48 per dollar on September 24, while Reuters reported that the currency was supported by factors including foreign-currency inflows.
South Africa’s rand has also shown periods of strength.
On September 10, the rand gained about 0.2% to trade at R16.0250 per dollar.
It remained broadly stable on September 21 as investors awaited inflation data and the central bank’s interest-rate decision.
A stable or stronger local currency can reduce the domestic cost of dollar-priced imports, including fuel, industrial equipment and raw materials.
For businesses, this can make planning easier and limit the pressure to raise prices.
It can also help moderate imported inflation and reduce the local-currency burden of foreign-denominated debt.
For consumers, the effect can eventually be felt through more stable prices for imported goods. However, currency strength is not an automatic solution for economic challenges.
Exporters can face pressure when their goods become relatively more expensive in foreign markets.
The broader benefit therefore comes from currency stability and reduced volatility, rather than simply having the strongest possible exchange rate.
With that said, here are the African countries with the strongest currencies in September 2026, per data from the Forbes calculator.
