Is it safe to withdraw cash in Gabon or not?
Most hotels in Libreville have ATMs or will direct you to a safe one. I used one late evening inside a shopping center, and it felt like a secure environment. The rest of the city, after dark, gets quiet quickly.
Machines in Port-Gentil often shut down early. I tried one after 9 PM, and it was already locked behind glass doors. Locals advised withdrawing money during bank hours due to power and security issues.
I stayed near the airport and found an Ecobank ATM inside a petrol station. It worked, but the street was nearly empty at 8:45 PM. I didn’t feel unsafe, but I didn’t dawdle either. Cash out, card in, head back.
In Libreville, I used an UGB ATM near Mont-Bouet Market around 9 PM. There were still people on the street, and the ATM had security cameras and lights. The machine worked with my Visa card, but withdrawing money in Gabon at night feels safer in busy, central areas.