Can I use a card to pay for taxis in Angola, or should I carry local cash?
You’ll definitely want to carry cash. Even in well-developed areas like Talatona, Angolan taxis do not accept card payments. There’s no tap-to-pay, no UPI-style system, and not even QR code setups like in other parts of Africa. If you’re arriving late, have some cash already - airport ATMs can be unreliable. I kept 20,000 AOA in small bills and that lasted for a few days. Also, confirm fares beforehand - there are no meters. Drivers generally prefer exact amounts, especially outside Luanda where they don’t carry much change.
Most of my trips were within Luanda, and I never saw a card machine in a cab. I asked a few drivers - they looked at me like I was joking. Taxis in Angola operate on cash only, even for tourists. I did use the Kubinga app once, but even that required cash on delivery. You’ll need small bills too - don’t expect change from a 5,000 AOA note. I withdrew at Banco BFA, carried 500s and 1,000s, and always asked the price before getting in. It’s simple, but takes planning.
I used taxis daily in Luanda and tried asking about card payments multiple times - no one accepted. Even ride-hailing apps like T’Leva or Kubinga usually ask for cash unless you preload a local mobile wallet. Angola taxi payments are overwhelmingly cash-dependent, even in the capital. It’s worth withdrawing enough kwanza each morning if you’re moving around a lot. Some upscale hotels offer transport with card-friendly billing, but on the street, you’ll need cash. Pro tip: avoid giving large notes like 10,000 AOA - change is hard to come by.
Cash only - no debate. I took several taxis in Luanda and Benguela, and none accepted cards. Paying for taxis in Angola requires Angolan kwanza, and drivers usually don’t have change for big bills. Some hotels can help you arrange a fixed-rate ride, but even then it’s cash-based. I had to withdraw extra cash after getting turned down for card payments more than once. Best move is to carry small denominations, especially for shorter trips or late-night rides. Don’t expect tech - Angola’s transport is still very offline.