Why do ATMs and shops in Angola just keep declining my wise card. It worked fine in other countries
So you’re not alone-Angola's banking is still catching up. I tried Wise and Revolut in Malanje and Kuito-instant rejection. But on a whim I used my Wise Visa for a withdrawal in USD at AngoMart’s ATM inside Condomínio do Vivendas, and it went through! After that, I started doing that. Tip: only use at AngoMart or BCA ATMs, and make sure you have USD mode turned on in the app. Worked flawlessly for me.
Funny thing-my Wise card worked fine at some BCI ATMs in Luanda IF I withdrew in EUR instead of USD. So I set the withdrawal currency manually in the Wise app. I made sure my card was enabled for ‘Africa region’ and location permission was on. Didn’t use it in shops of course-cash only. Might be worth toggling currency and retrying at BCI close to working hours.
I was in Huambo and Lubango in June and my Wise Mastercard wouldn’t pay at supermarket tills (Shoprite, Kero) or for Uber rides. Even cafes in Talatona refused it. Only worked when I switched to cash (brought USD) and changed at Millennium Bim branches. One bartender told me Angolan banks have trouble settling Wise transaction authorizations, so they preemptively decline.
Had the same issue with my Wise card in Luanda and Benguela last month. Tried Banco de Fomento Angola (BFA) and Banco Angolano de Investimentos (BAI) ATMs-each time got “transaction declined.Card worked in Namibia before. I think Wise’s systems are blocked from SWIFT network in Angola, or they flag it as high-risk country. Ended up exchanging cash at the A Escola Park bazaar-got 1 USD ≈ 820 AOA (better than airport!).