How did the devaluation of the CFA franc make imported goods harder to afford?

The 1994 devaluation of the CFA franc made imported goods significantly harder to afford for the people of the Central African Republic because it reduced the exchange value of their currency relative to foreign monetary units.12

When a country devalues its currency, the prices of goods purchased from abroad increase in terms of the local currency. Because the Central African Republic relies on imports for essential items—including diesel fuel, medicine, and various foodstuffs—the increased cost of these products directly raised the cost of living for its citizens. This process effectively diminished the purchasing power of the local population, making it difficult to maintain access to necessary imported supplies.213