Money & currency
Money in Senegal
Updated 2026-08-16
West African CFA Franc (XOF)
Currency code: XOF
Practical Money Tips
West African CFA Franc (XOF) — Pegged to the Euro
Senegal uses the West African CFA franc (XOF), pegged to the euro at a fixed rate of 1 EUR = 655.957 XOF. Euros are easily exchanged at banks and bureaux de change in Dakar. US dollars are also exchangeable but at slightly less favourable rates.
Good ATM Coverage in Dakar, Scarcer Elsewhere
Ecobank, Société Générale, BDK, and CBAO have ATMs widely distributed in Dakar. Saint-Louis, Ziguinchor, and Touba have some coverage. Remote areas and the Casamance have very limited ATM access — withdraw enough cash in Dakar before heading south or east.
Cards at Hotels and Some Restaurants
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most hotels, larger restaurants, and supermarkets in Dakar. Outside the capital, cash is dominant. Orange Money and Wave are popular mobile payment platforms widely used by locals.
Cash Essential Outside Dakar
Outside the capital, markets, street food, taxis, and guesthouses operate in cash. Carry XOF for daily expenses. Small denominations (500, 1,000, 2,000 XOF) are useful for markets and tipping.
Note: Always check current exchange rates before traveling. Currency exchange is available at airports, banks, and authorized money changers.
Entry rules and the full destination picture live on the Senegal overview.
This overview comes from Visaja's worldwide missions database (visaja.com), checked against official government sources; for binding answers, the mission itself always has the final word.