No issues elsewhere, but in Sudan, both ATMs and stores keep rejecting my card. Anyone know if this is common? Any banks that actually work?
Best advice: bring plenty of USD or euros in small denominations. Exchange them inside Sudan, either through official bureaux in Khartoum or trusted hotel contacts. ATMs, shops, and restaurants won’t accept foreign cards at all. Carry enough cash to cover your entire trip.
I went in with my Revolut and Wise cards, thinking I could get cash from a bank in Khartoum. Every ATM rejected me, and shops just shook their heads. Had to rely entirely on USD I carried, which ran out faster than expected. Honestly, don’t even try with cards in Sudan - it’s a cash-only country for foreigners.
There’s honestly no positive side to foreign cards in Sudan - they simply don’t work due to sanctions. I stayed at Acropole Hotel in Khartoum, and they told me straight away to only use USD cash. Exchanged at a local bureau recommended by the staff, and it was straightforward. If you arrive prepared, you’ll be fine, but don’t expect ATMs or card readers to accept anything foreign.
Right now, international cards don’t work in Sudan at all. ATMs and shops only accept local bank cards. If your card keeps failing, it’s not you - it’s the banking system. The only solution is to bring cash (USD or euros) and exchange it inside Sudan. In Khartoum, exchange is usually done in downtown bureaus or via trusted contacts.