Which African country uses the dirham as its currency?

Which African country uses the dirham as its currency? Morocco is the answer.

The Moroccan dirham is Morocco’s official currency, issued by Bank Al-Maghrib, the country’s central bank. One dirham is divided into 100 santimat. Its international currency code is MAD, derived from the country’s name and the word “dirham.”

The word dirham ultimately traces back to the Greek drachma and spread through the Islamic world. Morocco used dirham-denominated silver coins before the modern currency era, then adopted the Moroccan franc during the French protectorate. The modern dirham returned on October 16, 1960, replacing the franc as the principal monetary unit.

Moroccan speech can make prices confusing for visitors. People may use “rial” or “franc” informally for smaller amounts, even though santim is the official subdivision. Morocco’s dirham is also distinct from the dirham used in the United Arab Emirates; the shared name reflects a broader historical currency tradition, not a shared national currency.