Senegal, a vibrant West African nation of music, culture, and coastal charm, offers travelers everything from bustling Dakar to tranquil beaches and historic Gorée Island. Whether you’re exploring local markets, touring colonial sites, or attending a music festival, understanding how to access cash is important. While cards are accepted in high-end hotels and some urban businesses, cash is still widely used for transportation, dining, and local shopping. This guide provides key insights on cash and ATMs in Senegal, including withdrawal fees, transaction limits, exchange rates, and card acceptance, helping you stay financially prepared throughout your journey.
Where to find ATMs in Senegal?
Senegal’s capital, Dakar, has the highest ATM coverage, particularly in neighborhoods like Plateau, Almadies, and near major transport hubs. Other urban centers such as Thiès, Saint-Louis, and Ziguinchor also offer reliable access. ATMs are typically found at bank branches, shopping centers, and gas stations. Major banks include Société Générale, Ecobank, UBA Senegal, and Banque Atlantique. Machines dispense West African CFA francs (XOF) and generally support international Visa and Mastercard debit/credit cards.
Tourist Spots:
Popular destinations like Île de Gorée, Lac Rose, Saly, and Casamance have ATMs near hotels, ferry terminals, or central markets. However, outages and cash shortages are not uncommon, especially during holidays or weekends. It’s wise to use ATMs at major banks rather than free-standing ones in tourist zones.
Rural Areas:
ATM access in rural areas is sparse. In many inland villages or remote regions like the Fouta Djallon foothills, ATMs may be nonexistent. Local businesses and taxis operate strictly on cash, so travelers should withdraw enough money in Dakar or other large towns before heading into the countryside.
Best ATMs to use in Senegal for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Senegal are those owned by popular banks such as:
- Ecobank,
- UBA, and
- BICIS.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Senegal, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in XOF).
– If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
– If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in XOF’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Senegal?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Senegal. ATMs commonly accept Visa and Mastercards. Some of them also accept Plus and Cirrus cards. Only some accept CUP, JCB, Maestro cards. Others like American Express, Diners, Discover and Rupay cards are generally not accepted.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs in major cities like Dakar and Saint-Louis generally operate 24/7. However, power outages and cash shortages are common. Machines in smaller towns or rural areas are also operational usually 24 x 7.
What are ATMs called in Senegal?
They are known as “Distributeurs automatiques” or “GAB” (Guichet Automatique Bancaire). Signage usually also includes both “ATM” and “GAB”, particularly in tourist-heavy zones.
Language options at ATMs
French is the default interface language, and English is available on some machines in cities or airports.
You can use Google Translate App’s camera function to translate the ATM screen if you don’t understand these languages, but be cautious as the translations may not be entirely accurate.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Senegal?
ATMs dispense only West African CFA francs (XOF). They do not offer foreign currencies like euros, dollars, or GBP.
ATM withdrawal limits in Senegal?
ATMs in Senegal have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of XOF 200,000 to XOF 250,000 per transaction. Banks usually do not limit the number of transactions per day and do not usually have daily withdrawal limits.
ATM Fees in Senegal
There are many fee-free ATMs in Senegal. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Senegal do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. One bank ATM charges XOF 3,500 fee per transaction. So you have many fee-free options as a foreign card holder to withdraw cash here.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Senegal. These are:
1. Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
2. Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Senegal
Use the lower fee ATMs in the country.
Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
Consider getting fee-free cards from your home country.
Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Senegal?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Senegal. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Senegal. Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Safety at ATMs
Senegal is generally safe for travelers, especially in major cities like Dakar and Saint-Louis, but petty crime such as pickpocketing and theft can occur, particularly around transport hubs and tourist areas. ATMs are common in urban centers, and it’s best to use machines inside bank branches, shopping centers, or international hotels. Avoid using ATMs late at night or in isolated locations. Always shield your PIN, be discreet when handling cash, and regularly monitor your bank account for any suspicious activity.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Senegal takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs in Senegal?
Yes, its possible. There are many fee-free ATMs in Senegal. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Senegal do not charge any ATM Access Fees per transaction to foreign card holders. One bank ATM charges XOF 3,500 fee per transaction. So you have many fee-free options as a foreign card holder to withdraw cash here.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Senegal?
Yes. ATMs in major cities in Senegal and international hotel chains accept many types of international cards.
Bitcoin ATMs?
There are no Bitcoin ATMs currently confirmed in Senegal. Travelers typically rely on digital or peer-to-peer platforms to access cryptocurrency, as no kiosks are active.
Foreign bank ATMs’ presence in Senegal
- Bank of America: No, there are no Bank of America ATMs here.
- Citibank: No, Citibank does not operate in Senegal.
- Barclays: No, Barclays has no retail ATM presence here.
- HSBC: No, HSBC does not maintain consumer ATMs in Senegal.
- Standard Chartered: No, Standard Chartered does not operate ATMs here.
