No issues elsewhere, but in Central African Republic, both ATMs and stores keep rejecting my card. Anyone know if this is common? Any banks that actually work?
You won't be able to use your card for anything. This is a common and very serious issue for travelers. The local banks and ATMs are not connected to the international network. Your card will always be rejected. You must bring a good amount of cash with you, preferably Euros, and exchange it for CFA francs (XAF) in the city. There is no other way to get money here, so you must be prepared for this.
My friend had this same problem. He tried to use a Visa card at a bank and it was rejected. He ended up having to have a family member send him money via Western Union. The problem is that there is very limited banking and financial infrastructure here. The country is largely a cash-based economy. My advice is to always have cash on you, preferably Euros, and exchange for CFA francs (XAF) at a reputable exchange counter.
You're not alone. I had the same issue and was told by a local that international cards are basically useless here. The ATMs simply aren't connected to the global network. You have no choice but to rely on cash. My advice is to find a reputable bureau de change in Bangui and exchange Euros for CFA francs (XAF). This is the only way to get money. You cannot rely on a credit card for anything here, even at hotels.
That's a serious problem, and unfortunately, it's very common. The financial infrastructure in the Central African Republic is extremely underdeveloped. Foreign credit cards, even from major providers, are not accepted at almost any ATM or business. You absolutely must have brought cash with you, preferably Euros, as the local CFA franc is pegged to it. You will not be able to rely on a card to get cash here. Your only options are to use a money transfer service like Western Union or MoneyGram.