CurrencyLayer API
Forex · Data Analytics
CurrencyLayer is one of the most widely-used and long-established exchange rate APIs in the world, providing real-time and historical foreign exchange data for 168 currencies and precious metals. Now owned and operated by APILayer a platform aggregating developer APIs across multiple categories CurrencyLayer benefits from enterprise-grade infrastructure, high availability, and a large developer community built up over years of operation.
CurrencyLayer API Highlights
CurrencyLayer API is verified for developer integrations in Nigeria and across African markets, providing documented endpoints, sandbox testing, and developer support.
API Key appended to request URL as access_key query parameter; sign up at currencylayer.com
Free: 100 req/month. Basic: 10,000 req/month. Professional: 100,000 req/month. Professional Plus: 500,000 req/month.
Nigeria
Ghana
Kenya
AWSCurrencyLayer API is best for:
Developers and businesses needing a reliable, long-established exchange rates API covering 168 currencies including NGN and precious metals backed by APILayer infrastructure, with USD-only base on free tier and all base currencies from the Basic plan.
- Free:100 req/month, USD base only, hourly updates
- Basic:$13.99/month, 10,000 req/month, all base currencies
- Professional:$52.99/month, 100,000 req/month, 10-min updates
- Professional Plus:$84.99/month, 500,000 req/month, 60-sec updates
- Enterprise:custom pricing
CurrencyLayer API Core Features & Capabilities
Features Included
Not Supported
Required Access Documents for CurrencyLayer API
- No Documents RequiredOptionalSign up with email only at currencylayer.com. No KYC or credit card details required for the free plan.
Different CurrencyLayer API use cases
- NGN Rate Comparison Tool:Nigerian fintech apps use CurrencyLayer to display live NGN exchange rates sourced from bank and commercial data providers giving users a reliable benchmark for USD/NGN, GBP/NGN, and EUR/NGN conversions on the Basic plan.
- Precious Metals + Fiat Portfolio Tracker:Investment apps serving Nigerian users combine CurrencyLayer's gold and silver rates with NGN fiat rates to display combined fiat and commodity portfolio values in a single dashboard.
- Real-time FX Conversion for Payments:Nigerian payment platforms use CurrencyLayer's Professional Plus (60-sec updates) to power real-time FX conversion rates displayed during international payment checkout ensuring accurate amounts before transaction confirmation.
- Historical Rate Lookup for Accounting:Nigerian accountants and ERP systems query CurrencyLayer's historical rates to determine the official exchange rate on any past date required for accurate foreign currency transaction recording in financial statements.
- Travel & Expense Management App:Nigerian corporate travel apps integrate CurrencyLayer to automatically convert multi-currency travel expenses to NGN at the exchange rate applicable on the expense date, simplifying reconciliation for finance teams.