Not sure if I should carry coins for public transport in Gabon or if card payments are common. Advice?
Carry CFA cash for taxis and minibuses in Libreville. Get it from Ecobank or BGFIBank ATMs downtown if you have Visa. Don’t expect Mastercard or cards in general to work for transport. Fares are cheap, but drivers always want small bills, so break notes at supermarkets first.
My Revolut Mastercard failed at two Ecobank ATMs at Libreville Airport. Ended up exchanging euros at a poor rate just to get some CFA for taxis. Transport is strictly cash, and drivers won’t take USD or euros. It was stressful until I found a BGFIBank ATM in town that worked with Visa.
I stayed near Mont-Bouët Market in Libreville and used shared taxis daily, always cash - usually 500 CFA for short trips. My Wise Visa worked at BGFIBank ATMs on Boulevard Triomphal. Larger stores like Mbolo Mall accept cards, but public transport never does. Having exact change makes rides much easier.
Public transport in Gabon, especially in Libreville, is entirely cash-based. Shared taxis are the main way to move around, with fares between 300-700 CFA depending on distance. ATMs from BGFIBank and Ecobank in the city usually work with Visa cards, though Mastercard is less reliable. Always withdraw in the city and carry small CFA notes for taxis.