Why do ATMs and shops in Cameroon just keep declining my wise card. It worked fine in other countries
I had zero issues in Bafoussam with my Wise card! Used BICEC ATM by Boulevard de la Reunification, selected XAF, declined dynamic conversion, and it worked instantly. I’d pre-loaded about 200,000 XAF into my XAF balance before landing. Shops in the city also accepted it when I tapped for a local meal in the market. The key? Load local currency in-app, use BICEC or Afriland ATMs-chip+PIN only.
Interesting note-I had success at Afriland First Bank ATM in Bonapriso, but only after I topped up XAF via Wise app, switched my card to local currency manually, and used chip+PIN. The first two attempts at Ecobank ATMs failed, but the third at Afriland went through. No shop payments-just ATM cash. Honestly, setting the app to XAF and selecting chip withdrawals made the difference.
I was in Douala last month-tried using my Wise Visa at SCB Bank ATM in Bonanjo, and even at the TotalEnergies petrol station POS in Akwa. Nothing went through. I called Wise support, they told me Cameroon is considered ‘high risk’ by local acquirers, so they block authorizations from European BINs. My workaround: pulled USD from a USD-only ATM in Douala’s airport and exchanged at a licensed bureau-kinda old-school but solid.
Mid‑June in Yaounde: hit ATMs at BICEC Station Douala and Ecobank in Bastos with my Wise Mastercard-declined every single time for both withdrawals and payments. Even shops in Mvog‑Betsi market wouldn’t accept it. I switched to cash, exchanged USD at Afriland First Bank, and that worked fine. Heard locals say Wise isn’t well-connected to Cameroonian payment systems.