
The ouguiya currency is the official currency of Mauritania, a country in West Africa. The ouguiya is divided into 5 subunits called khoums.
You can exchange your money for ouguiya at a bank or a currency exchange office. Banks are usually the safest option.
Consider reading: Mauritania Ouguiya
What is Ouguiya?
The ouguiya is the official currency of Mauritania, a country in West Africa. It's named after the ouguiya, a traditional unit of weight used to measure gold.
The ouguiya is subdivided into 5 khoums, but in 2018, the khoum was dropped as a unit of currency. This change was made to simplify transactions and reduce the risk of counterfeiting.
In Mauritania, you can exchange your money for ouguiyas at banks, currency exchange offices, or some hotels.
Coins and Banknotes
The Mauritanian ouguiya has a fascinating history when it comes to its coins and banknotes. In 1973, the country introduced coins in denominations of 1⁄5 (1 khoums), 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 ouguiya.

The most recent issues of coins were in 2003 and 2004, with the 1 ouguiya coin made of Aluminium bronze. The coinage slightly changed in 2009, with a reduced 1 ouguiya in plated composition and a bi-metallic 20 ouguiya issued.
Coins are minted at the Kremnica mint in Slovakia, which is a notable aspect of the Mauritanian ouguiya's currency system.
Coins in Circulation
Coins in Mauritania are issued in various denominations.
The smallest denomination is the 1 khoum, which is worth 1/5 of an ouguiya.
You can find coins in circulation with denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 ouguiya.
The most recent coin issues were in 2003 and 2004, with new designs and materials introduced.
Coins are minted at the Kremnica mint in Slovakia, which is a well-known and reputable minting facility.
Here are the denominations of coins in circulation in Mauritania:
- 1 khoum (1/5 ouguiya)
- 1 ouguiya
- 2 ouguiya
- 5 ouguiya
- 10 ouguiya
- 20 ouguiya
Banknotes in Circulation
In Mauritania, banknotes have been issued by the Central Bank of Mauritania since 1973. The first series of notes included denominations of 100, 200, and 1,000 ouguiya.

The 100 and 200 ouguiya notes are the only ones that don't have the denomination expressed in Arabic numerals in a holographic patch at the right front. This feature is present in all other denominations.
New banknotes and coins were introduced in 2004, featuring redesigned fronts and backs. The 2,000-ouguiya denomination was entirely new at that time.
All banknotes now have serial numbers that appear horizontally at the upper left and lower center, and vertically at the far right. This format includes a 2-character prefix, 7-digit serial number, and 1-character suffix.
A new 5,000-ouguiya denomination was introduced on August 8, 2010, and a redesigned 2,000-ouguiya note was issued on February 1, 2012.
Mauritania and Ouguiya
The Mauritanian ouguiya is the official currency of Mauritania, and it's denoted by 'UM' locally. It's also known as the MRO in the foreign exchange market.
The ouguiya is divided into five khoums, making it one of the few currencies that isn't divisible by units of 10 or 100. This unique characteristic sets it apart from other currencies.
To convert ouguiyas to US dollars, you can use a currency converter, which will show you the current exchange rate and how it's changed over time. Simply type in the amount you want to convert, select MRU as the currency you want to convert from, and USD as the currency you want to convert to.
Mauritania Celebrates Anniversary
The Central Bank of Mauritania marked the 50th anniversary of the ouguiya currency on June 18, 1973, with a commemorative 50-ouguiya bank note.
The new note was issued as a YouTube video by the governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania, Mohammed-Lemine Dheby.
The value of the ouguiya is equivalent to $1.45 U.S.
The note has Arabic text on the face with a security thread and the number "50" in gold-colored optically variable ink.
The face of the note also depicts the central bank's headquarters building and the Ibn Abass Mosque in Nouakchott.
The back of the note has French text and a design that blends traditional and modern elements.
The national flag on a deep blue background is revealed under ultraviolet light.
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Understanding the Mauritanian
The Mauritanian ouguiya, or MRO, is a unique currency that's not divisible by units of 10 or 100, a distinction it shares with the Malagasy ariary.
It's interesting to note that the ouguiya is divided into five khoums, which is a lesser-known fact about this currency.
The Mauritanian ouguiya has undergone changes over the years, with the first ouguiya being introduced in 1973 as the official currency of Mauritania, replacing the CFA franc.
Banknotes in circulation have denominations of 100, 200, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 ouguiyas, while coins circulate in values of 1 khoum and 1, 5, 10, and 20 ouguiyas.
The Central Bank of Mauritania manages and issues the currency, which has recently undergone a process of adjusting denominations to account for inflation.
Redenomination of the currency began in December 2017 at a central bank-set rate of 1:10, introducing the second ouguiya, which is worth ten times its comparable version in the old system.
Currency Conversion
The ouguiya currency has a unique conversion system. It's pegged to the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) currency, the West African franc (XOF), with a fixed exchange rate.
You can easily convert ouguiya to other currencies, including the US dollar. The exchange rate is 1 ouguiya = 0.0025 US dollars.
In practical terms, this means that if you're traveling to Mauritania, you can exchange your money for ouguiya at a fixed rate.
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Converting Mauritanian Currency to US Dollars
Converting Mauritanian currency to US dollars can be a straightforward process. To start, you'll need to know the current exchange rate.
The exchange rate can be found by using a currency converter, which is available online or through mobile apps. Simply type in the amount you want to convert, select Mauritanian ouguiyas (MRU) as the source currency, and US dollars (USD) as the target currency.
The current exchange rate is approximately 1 MRU = 0.02501 USD. This means that if you have 1 MRU, you can exchange it for about 0.025 USD.
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Here's a rough idea of what you can expect to get for different amounts of Mauritanian ouguiyas:
Keep in mind that exchange rates can fluctuate, so it's always a good idea to check the current rate before making a conversion.
Currency Pairings for Mauritania
If you're looking to convert Mauritanian ouguiyas to US dollars, you can use an online currency converter. Simply type in the box how much you want to convert, select MRU in the first dropdown as the currency you want to convert, and USD in the second dropdown as the currency you want to convert to.
The Mauritanian ouguiya, abbreviated as MRO, is a unique currency that's not divisible by units of 10 or 100, a distinction it shares with the Malagasy ariary.
To get the current MRU to USD rate and see how it's changed over time, use an online currency converter. It will show you the current rate and provide historical data for the past day, week, or month.
One ouguiya divides into five khoums, a fact that's worth keeping in mind when working with this currency.
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Understanding Ouguiya
The Mauritanian ouguiya, also known as the MRO, is the official currency of the African Republic of Mauritania.
One ouguiya is divided into five khoums, which is a unique feature of this currency.
The ouguiya has a rich history, first being introduced in 1973 as a replacement for the CFA franc.
The Central Bank of Mauritania manages and issues the currency, with a recent process of adjusting denominations to account for inflation.
History of Ouguiya
The Ouguiya has a rich history, dating back to 1973 when it was introduced as the official currency of Mauritania.
The Ouguiya replaced the Mauritanian pound, which was the country's currency since 1949.
The name "Ouguiya" is derived from the Wolof language, spoken in Senegal and The Gambia, meaning "gold" or "value".
In 2018, the Mauritanian government introduced a new Ouguiya, pegged to the US dollar, to help stabilize the economy.
The new Ouguiya replaced the old Ouguiya at a rate of 10 old Ouguiyas to 1 new Ouguiya.
Key Takeaways
The ouguiya is the official currency of Mauritania, a unique distinction that sets it apart from other currencies. The Mauritanian ouguiya, abbreviated as MRO, is used throughout the African Republic of Mauritania.
One of the most interesting aspects of the ouguiya is its sub-unit system. The ouguiya is comprised of 5 sub-units called khoums, a rare feature among currencies.
The ouguiya has a fascinating history. It was first issued in 1973, replacing the CFA franc.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Mauritanian Ouguiya?
The Mauritanian Ouguiya was initially pegged to the French Franc, but its value has significantly decreased over time, with the current exchange rate being approximately 37 Ouguiya to one US dollar. Its devaluation has been a gradual process since its introduction in 1973.
Sources
- https://www.saigatours.com/details/north-africa/mauritania/money/
- https://www.coinworld.com/news/paper-money/mauritania-celebrates-anniversary-of-its-ouguiya-currency
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritanian_ouguiya
- https://wise.com/us/currency-converter/mru-to-usd-rate
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/forex/m/mro-mauritanian-ouguiya.asp
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