On a budget and looking for free ATMs in Senegal - Any top banks?
Senegal’s ATM network is quite developed in urban areas. I used Société Générale ATMs frequently, and they were reliable. But they had a 3,500 XOF fee. But it was like less than 1% of the withdrawal amount so fine. I did use BICIS and Ecobank - they did not have any fees. Daily withdrawal limits vary but average around 250,000 CFA francs. Always avoid small stalls or roadside ATMs, they charge high fees or might not be secure.
Travelers running on a budget in Senegal should definitely hit up Banque Atlantique or Ecobank ATMs in Dakar. I had no problem using my Revolut card with mostly zero ATM fees and good daily withdrawal limits-up to around 300,000 XOF. Smaller towns can be trickier, so plan your cash withdrawals carefully.
Always use BICIS or UBA bank ATMs -- no fees for foreigners!! And they process Visa and Mastercard. Dakar and Saint-Louis have the best banking options. You'll get about 250,000 XOF in a transaction from the ATM.
For a budget-friendly trip in Senegal, I highly recommend sticking to Ecobank, Ubited Bank for Africa (UBA) and Banque Atlantique ATMs. They accept most foreign cards, including Visa and Mastercard, and do not charge any extra fees. All of them will offer you 250,000 XOF per withdrawal. Société Générale does charge 3,500 COF fee per transaction so avoid it.