Just landed - wondering what gives the better rate in Congo: ATM withdrawal or airport exchange counter?
Just landed and checked airport exchange against bank ATMs - bank machines won here. Smooth transaction at Société Générale Congo ATM in Brazzaville with lower total loss than airport desk. Carry some cash if you can because smaller towns have fewer ATMs.
From my experience in Congo, use Société Générale Congo or BGFIBank ATMs instead of airport counters. The ATMs charge fixed fees but the exchange rate is fair, while airport exchanges add a big hidden margin, making your money shrink fast.
Airport exchange counters in Congo’s main airports are convenient but cost you more cash. Use big bank ATMs like Ecobank or Standard Chartered in Brazzaville. I used my Mastercard there and got a much better rate even with ATM fees.
In Brazzaville, I found Société Générale Congo ATMs way better for foreign cards than the airport exchange counter. The fees on airport exchanges are hidden but add up fast, and the rate is pretty bad. ATMs give you real value, even if they charge a small fixed fee.