Trying to plan ahead so any know if card payments are common at hostels in Central African Republic or cash is king?
I'd be very cautious about relying on a card for payment. The reality is that the financial infrastructure for card transactions is not widespread. The vast majority of hostels are not equipped to take cards, and even ATMs are not reliable for foreign cards. The best plan is to bring US dollars or Euros and exchange them at a local bank like Ecobank for your hostel payments and other daily expenses.
Forget cards entirely. The financial system in the Central African Republic is a cash-based one. There are very few places that even have a card reader, and those are usually at diplomatic compounds or a few international hotels. For any hostel or guesthouse, you will need cash in Central African CFA francs to pay for your stay. Plan accordingly and bring money to exchange.
You'll be using cash for everything. I was in Bangui last year and did not see a single place, not even a hotel, that accepted a credit card. The hostel you stay at will be cash-only. I'd highly recommend bringing US dollars or Euros in a safe place and exchanging them at a bank like Ecobank when you arrive. Do not rely on finding a working ATM with your foreign card.
Cash is absolutely king, and you'll need to bring it with you. The Central African Republic has a very underdeveloped financial system, and credit card acceptance is virtually non-existent, even at major hotels. You will not find any hostels that accept cards. The local currency is the Central African CFA franc. Your best bet is to bring US dollars or Euros with you and exchange them at a bank in Bangui, as ATMs are unreliable.