Why do ATMs and shops in Rwanda just keep declining my wise card. It worked fine in other countries
My Wise card failed at every attempt in Gisenyi - ATMs, shops, even hotels declined it. A bank employee explained that prepaid fintech cards aren’t fully integrated with Rwandan payment systems yet. I switched to cash for everything and used my local sim card’s mobile money for smaller payments. Bring backup cards if you’re traveling here.
I actually had success at a Bank of Kigali ATM inside Kigali Heights Mall. I set my Wise balance to RWF, declined currency conversion, and used chip+PIN. The withdrawal went through on the first try. Shops were a different story - most preferred cash. Wise can work, but mainly for ATM withdrawals at major banks.
While in Butare, my Wise Visa was declined at ATMs and shops alike. Tried BPR Bank ATMs, and even small businesses wouldn’t accept it. I was told the Rwandan banking network often blocks cards from non-traditional banks like Wise. I ended up withdrawing cash in USD from a currency exchange and paying in local francs.
I was in Kigali last month and my Wise Mastercard got declined at ATMs like Bank of Kigali, I&M Bank, and Cogebanque. Tried paying at supermarkets in Nyarutarama and restaurants in Kiyovu - same story. Locals said many ATMs here don’t accept fintech or prepaid cards due to security filters. I had to rely on cash and my traditional bank card instead.