The Uguiya (Ouguiya in French) is the official currency of Mauritania since its introduction in 1973 to replace the CFA franc. Its ISO 4217 code is MRO (MRU after renamed 2018). This currency is issued by the Bank of Mauritania.
The symbol of the Uguiya is UM and a Uguiya is divided into 5 Jums. That is, unlike most world currencies, each Uguiya is divided into five and not 10 Jums
Banknotes and coins of the Mauritanian ouguiya in use
Currently you can find coins of 1/5, 1, 5, 10, 20 Uguiyas that circulate in Mauritania. But the 1/5 Uguiya coin is almost out of circulation due to its very low value.
As for the Mauritanian banknotes, you can find them for 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 Uguiyas. Since January 2018, 10 former Uglyans (MRO) are 1 Uguiya (MRU). This new monetary unit is divided into 5 Jums. All the new tickets are printed in plastic polymer with new security elements.
The color of the new 2018 banknotes is as follows: 50 uguiyas banknote (violet color); of 100 uguiyas (green color); of 200 Uguiyas (ocher color); of 500 Uguiyas (blue color) and 1,000 Uguiyas (brown color).
Did you know?
- The Uguiya together with the Ariary of Madagascar are the only coins in the world that do not have fractional coins based on multiples of ten.
- Since 2010 there is circulation in Mauritania of the new bimetallic coins of 20 and 50 Uguiyas that are minted in the Kremnica mint in Slovakia.
Why changing currency with us is better than with your bank?
 Global Exchange | Your high-street bank | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of curencies available | We have more than 13 currencies. We are specialists. | Only the most common ones. They don't pay much attention to this service and, moreover, they will always try to get you to leave with Dollars. | ||
| Currency availability | Immediate availability at our airport offices on the day of your trip. | The branch requests it from Head Office and it may take quite a long time to have the currency available, or they may not even have it. | ||
| Cost of the transaction | Only the exchange rate, with no commissions, and if you book online we guarantee you the best price. | Your bank's margin plus a commission. | ||
| Fractional currency so you can pay comfortably | Of course, because we think of you and your needs when you set foot in a foreign country. | No. Be prepared to hear refusals and complaints in a foreign language when you present a "large" bill. | ||
| Delivery options | We offer you the possibility of picking up your order at the airport. | You have to go to the bank twice: once to request the currency and once to pick it up, if they can get it for you, so you have to keep track of your money. | ||
| Opening hours | We are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. | Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm. |