Money, Freedom, a Story of the CFA Franc

The year 1960 marked the end of the colonial empires on the African continent.

France disappeared from the map, leaving behind the CFA franc, a colonial creation, the name of the currency that is still in circulation in almost all of its former territories south of the Sahara. How is it that these countries, having regained their freedom, have never renounced this strange legacy? The announcement of the imminent expiry of the CFA franc gives us the opportunity to look at a little-known history that began in the 19th century and continues to the present day.

Katy Lena Ndiaye's previous films ‘Time is on our side’, ‘Awaiting for men’ and ‘Traces women imprints’ have been honoured at numerous festivals. Parallel to her career as a documentary filmmaker, Lena Ndiaye worked in television for many years. She hosted and directed the magazines Reflets Sud and Afrique Plurielle (from 2000 to 2018). Programmes on African topics (culture and society) broadcast on TV5 Monde and RTBF (the Belgian French-language public broadcaster). Lena Ndiaye is currently developing IndigoMood Films, a production company founded in 2013 and based in Senegal.