Best Bitcoin Exchange for Niger

Niger in the heart of Africa unites the cultures of Central Africa and the Arab world like no other country. The country, which is strongly influenced by Islam, has a multitude of beautiful and worth seeing destinations of various kinds. The Federal Foreign Office is currently issuing a travel warning for the use of songs, as a safe stay, especially for Western tourists, is not guaranteed due to the ongoing attacks of Islamist gangs. Before a journey to Niger, one should research exactly how the current situation in the region in question presents itself, depending on the region one would like to travel to in Niger. The safety instructions of the Federal Foreign Office can be read via a link at the end of the article.

The typical, colourful African life can be experienced up close on one of the markets of the capital Niamey. Whether on the Grande Marché, where one really gets everything from fabrics to food or the Petit Marché, which is especially known for its rich offer of fruits, vegetables and spices, in every corner one discovers impressions and smells of a fascinating foreign culture.

The large national parks are worth a visit, Niger is home to the last giraffe herd in West Africa. Near Kouré this can be observed with a little luck and patience. On the other hand, those who are interested in a journey through time should visit the dinosaur cemetery, as Niger has the largest site of dinosaur bones.

But not only the activities during the stay in Niger should be planned carefully, also the travel cash should be equipped accordingly, i.e. with the locally accepted means of payment. The following report provides answers to all important questions about means of payment, withdrawing money, local currency, credit cards, currency exchange and, last but not least, the security of means of payment in Niger.

CFA-Franc BCEAO (XOF) – the local currency

Overview Niger CFA-Franc BanknotesThe local currency and official currency of Niger is the CFA-Franc BCEAO, divided into 100 Centimes. CFA-Franc BCEAO is available in coins and banknotes, the denominations of which are shown in the table below:

• Coins: 1, 5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 250, 500 CFA francs
• Banknotes: 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 CFA francs

National and foreign currency may be introduced in unlimited amounts. However, there is an obligation to declare an equivalent value of 500,000 CFA francs or more. A maximum of 25,000 CFA francs in local currency may be exported from Niger.

Change money in Niger

It is not necessary to exchange money in the local currency before the start of your trip if you are staying in Niger. Euro or US Dollar can be exchanged in Niger without any problems, whereby the exchange of Euro is the easiest. Directly at the airport there is the first possibility to exchange money. Everywhere in Niger there are exchange offices, in some hotels or also in the banks of the bigger cities there is the possibility to exchange cash into the national currency.

In Niger the banks are usually open from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 12:00, and in the afternoon from 16:00 to 19:00. Also on Saturdays there is the opportunity to exchange money in local currency between 08:00 and 12:00 o’clock. Those who are currently in a larger city can also withdraw the local currency directly at the ATM outside the opening hours of banks and exchange offices. This requires an EC card with the Maestro or Cirrus symbol or a credit card.

Cashing travellers cheques in Niger

In Niger, traveller’s cheques are only exchanged by a few, larger banks. There are fees for every cashing. These fees are lowest if traveller’s cheques are issued in euros. In general, this type of means of payment offers the advantage of being replaced directly in the event of a loss, but they are returned worldwide. It is therefore advisable to take traveller’s cheques with you only as a supplement when you are travelling to Niger. Already with cash, at least one credit card and the EC-card one is well equipped and has sufficient flexibility during the journey to Niger.

Cashless payment in Niger

The form of cashless payment is not very widespread in Niger. Few restaurants and hotels in Niger offer this form of payment, but acceptance is limited to a few card formats such as visas. Due to the low acceptance of plastic money, you should always make sure you have sufficient cash in your travel budget. If, on the other hand, you use the possibility to pay with your credit card, it is worth knowing that for each transaction a so-called foreign assignment fee is charged for the transaction abroad with the help of the card in question.

Depending on the credit card contract concluded, this is between 1 and 4% of the amount ordered. It makes sense because it is cheaper to pay the bills directly in cash. In order to be able to dispose of cash in local currency, you should have a credit card. However, there are only a few providers of travel credit cards who do not charge a fee for withdrawing money from an ATM for subsequent cash payment.

Withdrawing money in Niger by EC card

Outside of the capital Niamey there are no possibilities to withdraw money in Niger. That is why it is important to buy enough cash before travelling to the surrounding area. Only EC cards bearing the Maestro or Cirrus mark are accepted in Niger. V-Pay card holders literally have bad cards in Niger because they are generally not accepted there. Only the valid PIN must be entered. For each cash withdrawal at a suitable cash dispenser in Niger, a fixed fee for the use of the card at a foreign cash dispenser is due, which varies between 5 and 10 euros. In the case of a longer stay this can add up to a painfully high sum.

The exact amount of this fee can be obtained from your local bank and can also be found in the contract documents. Compared to the EC card, a credit card is the more intelligent solution because it is cheaper. In the ideal case, for owners of a suitable travel credit card, with it one can save even the fees for the foreign employment with the money in Niger.

Withdraw money in Niger by credit card

You can easily withdraw money with a credit card. There are no ATMs outside the capital, which is why it is important to have sufficient cash before travelling to the surrounding area. In order to withdraw money in Niger, only the PIN has to be entered, then money can be withdrawn as usual in the local currency. As mentioned before, most banks like to earn money from their customers’ travel activities. The fees for the use of credit cards abroad explained in the previous chapter – with common providers these are between 1 and 4% of the withdrawn amount – are an issue to which one should pay more attention before each trip. Some providers offer so-called travel credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash in local currency worldwide free of charge.

These free travel credit cards are listed in the following link. Apart from the worldwide free withdrawal of money in local currency, credit cards offer a number of other advantages: Most providers of these travel credit cards also offer a free account. These providers also do not charge foreign domestic banks for the use of the card. This fact qualifies the travel credit card as a cost-saving means of payment for everyday use beyond the holiday period.

The application for is available online, can be quickly completed and printed for subsequent identification. You can expect up to 10 days of processing time from the day you submit your application until your travel credit card is in your mailbox. It is important to remember to apply well in advance to ensure that the new credit card is available at the start of your trip and that you can withdraw money free of charge in Niger from day one.

Safety when withdrawing money in Niger

Although Niger is politically highly explosive and correlating with this fact that private travellers are very vulnerable to attacks or kidnappings, petty crime in this country is not at an above-average level. Compliance with the most important safety instructions is, however, mandatory in order to be able to spend a safe stay within the framework of the current circumstances.

Niger should refrain from carrying large amounts of cash with it. Unused cash and valuables, but also important travel documents, should be deposited in the hotel safe or in your trusted accommodation. The Federal Foreign Office can provide you with the latest security and travel information on the country. The link is provided below. Concealed PIN entry when withdrawing cash and the separate storage of PIN and associated card should also be routine in Niger. If possible, you should choose an ATM that is located in a bright and visible place. The money should be stowed immediately after withdrawal, if possible directly on the body.

In the event of loss, theft or suspicion of misuse of the card, it is necessary to contact the specially set up international blocking emergency call without delay. The following link will take you directly to this number. Fast action is the top priority in order to protect yourself from greater financial damage. The prerequisite is that the number of this hotline is always carried along during the journey.

Another note that is relevant for all credit card holders on holiday: Before every trip abroad, the credit card provider should be informed about the planned use of the card abroad, otherwise it may happen that the card is blocked for security reasons due to suspicion of card misuse on the part of the provider. Finally, it should be noted that the cost of careful liquidity planning for the stay abroad is less than the annoyance and costs that can be avoided.