ATM fees and limits in Mauritania?

You simply can't rely on ATMs in Mauritania. It's a cash-first country. The only time I even saw a functioning ATM for a foreign card was at the main branch of a bank in Nouakchott. My friend's Visa card was declined, while my Mastercard was able to get a small amount of cash, but the fees were extortionate. It's a much better idea to bring a large sum of US dollars or Euros and exchange it for the local ouguiya at the bank. It's a far more secure and reliable way to handle your money there.

The situation with ATMs in Mauritania is pretty limited. From what I saw and experienced, only a few major banks, like the Société Générale, have ATMs that might work with a foreign card. Even then, it's not a guarantee. I used my debit card from a European bank at a Société Générale ATM in Nouakchott. The transaction worked, but the fees were high, and the withdrawal limit was very low, only about 50,000 MRO. My recommendation is to carry plenty of cash and only use the ATMs as an emergency backup.

I had a terrible experience trying to get cash in Mauritania. I was told a certain bank had an ATM that took foreign cards, but when I got there, it was broken. It's not like other countries where you can just find another one around the corner. I had to go to a local bank branch and use my passport to get a cash advance, and the fees were insane. The best plan is to have a stash of US Dollars or Euros, and exchange them at a bank or a reputable hotel in Nouakchott.

Finding a reliable ATM in Mauritania is a big challenge. The country is largely a cash-based society, and the banking infrastructure isn't very developed. My advice is to bring all the cash you need in Euros or US Dollars and exchange them at a bank in Nouakchott. I tried using my Visa debit card at a few different ATMs, but none of them worked. I was told that Societe Generale accepts UnionPay cards, but not many others. So, don't rely on plastic; it will only cause you stress.