Credit card declined in Liberia

The short answer is to use cash. Credit card usage is very limited in Liberia, and it's not a reliable form of payment. The country is a cash-based economy, and for a traveler, the best currency to have is the US dollar, which is widely accepted. You can try to use a local bank ATM like Ecobank, but don't be surprised if your card is rejected. It’s always best to be prepared with a good amount of cash before you arrive.

Don't worry, it’s not your fault. It's the system. Credit card acceptance in Liberia is rare and unreliable. It's an all-cash economy for travelers. You won't be able to rely on a credit card for anything other than perhaps a few large international hotels. My advice is to get a good amount of US dollars in cash and exchange them for Liberian dollars (LRD) as needed. It's the only way to ensure you can pay for taxis, food, and other day-to-day expenses.

I ran into the same issue. My credit card, a Visa, was declining everywhere. The problem is that credit card terminals are not common in Liberia, and even when a place has one, it often doesn't have a reliable connection. Your best option is to just use cash. The US dollar is the unofficial second currency, and many businesses prefer it. My advice is to go to a Western Union or a similar money transfer service to get cash if you need it. Don't rely on your credit card for anything there.

Unfortunately, this is a very common problem in Liberia. Even though you've activated international transactions, the local banking infrastructure is not well-developed. Very few places, even in Monrovia, accept credit cards. The most reliable way to pay is with cash, either Liberian dollars (LRD) or US dollars (USD). The US dollar is widely accepted. My advice is to find a bank like UBA or EcoBank and try to withdraw cash from an ATM, but be prepared for it to not work. It's best to have enough US dollars in cash on hand.