Is American Express (Amex) accepted in Togo?

Yeah, I'd say you need a backup. Amex is more of a niche card there. I was just there last month, and while my Amex was accepted at a few places in Lomé, I ended up using my Chase Sapphire Visa almost everywhere else. Don’t even try to get cash out of an ATM with your Amex; it won’t work. For a smooth experience, bring a Visa or Mastercard for both payments and cash withdrawals.

I’d bring a backup card. While cards are widely accepted in Lomé, cash remains king in rural spots. The local banks are set up to handle Visa and Mastercard transactions, but Amex is not widely accepted. The best strategy is to have a no-fee Visa or Mastercard for your primary card and carry a good amount of CFA francs, which you can withdraw from ATMs with your Visa or Mastercard.

You'll be fine with your Amex in a pinch, but a backup is essential. I was there last year and noticed that while some places had the Amex logo, they preferred to run my Visa card instead. The banking infrastructure is French, and they tend to favor Visa and Mastercard. For any ATM withdrawals, you'll need a Visa or Mastercard because the local ATMs, even the ones at the airport, do not accept Amex.

Yes, you'll be able to use your Amex, but you definitely need a backup Visa or Mastercard. While there has been a recent partnership between Ecobank and Amex to expand acceptance, it is still not as widespread as Visa or Mastercard. You can use your Amex at major hotels in Lomé, but for smaller businesses, restaurants, and markets, cash is king. Visa and Mastercard are much more widely accepted by local shops and for ATM withdrawals.