{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"","title":"France’s colonial battle to control African money","description":"

For 80 years, a currency created by France has remained in use across large parts of west and central Africa - even decades after the countries there gained independence. But is the CFA franc, as it’s called, a tool of economic stability, or a colonial relic that has allowed France to maintain its grip on its former colonies?


Senegalese economist Ndongo Samba Sylla joins Gillian Tett and Robin Wigglesworth to uncover the controversial history of the CFA franc, asking whether monetary independence is the missing piece of the post-colonial puzzle and whether former colonial powers can ever truly relinquish control. Who does the CFA franc really serve: African economies, their political elites, or France?


To enjoy future episodes, be sure to subscribe to The Story of Money wherever you get your podcasts, also on the show's dedicated YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@FTTheStoryOfMoney


Hosts: Gillian Tett & Robin Wigglesworth

Senior producer: Laurence Knight

Executive producer: Kate Ford

Original music and sound design: Breen Turner

Video editor: Michael Saliba

Podcast development: Laura Clarke

FT global head of audio: Flo Phillips


Learn more at www.ft.com/tsom or get in touch at thestoryofmoney@ft.com.


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

","author_name":"Financial Times"}