African Nations, Capitals & Currencies

The African continent comprises 54 sovereign states recognized by the United Nations, displaying diverse regional monetary arrangements and constitutional capitals. South Africa operates three official constitutional capitals: Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial), backed by the South African Rand (ZAR). Francophone Africa is organized into two currency unions: the West African CFA Franc (XOF) issued by the BCEAO and the Central African CFA Franc (XAF) issued by the BEAC. Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, operates the Naira (NGN) from its planned federal capital Abuja, which replaced Lagos in 1991. East Africa includes Kenya (Nairobi, Kenyan Shilling) and Ethiopia (Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Birr), which hosts the African Union headquarters.