Paying in Dakar as a Visitor: Cash, Card, Wave, Orange Money

Dakar uses the West African CFA franc, pegged to the euro at a fixed rate of 655.957 F to 1 euro. Cash still helps for taxis and markets, bank cards work in a good number of shops, and mobile payment, led by Wave and Orange Money, is used widely in daily life. At Ge'eza's gallery, four payment methods are offered: Wave, Orange Money, bank card, or payment in person.

The CFA franc, a fixed peg to the euro

The West African CFA franc does not move against the euro from one day to the next: the rate is fixed at 655.957 F to 1 euro, which makes conversion straightforward for anyone coming from the eurozone. For a visitor whose home currency is not the euro, it is usually easiest to treat the euro as a middle step, then convert into your own currency at the day's rate. Our article on reading an art price in CFA francs walks through this conversion rule.

Cash, still useful day to day

For a street taxi, a market stall or a small shop, cash is often the simplest way to pay, especially for a modest amount. It helps to carry a few small notes, easier to use in a quick transaction than a single large bill.

Bank cards, accepted in some shops

Cards work at many restaurants, hotels and more established shops, but not everywhere: some small shops and markets do not take them. It is wise not to rely on a card alone for an entire trip.

Wave and Orange Money, Senegal's mobile payment services

Wave and Orange Money are the two most widely used mobile payment services in Senegal, for paying a shop, transferring money or settling a bill from a phone. A visitor may, depending on the situation, open a local account or go through a friend or a vendor already set up with one. This is one of the methods offered for paying for a work of art at Ge'eza's gallery, alongside a bank card and payment in person. Our article on paying for art in Dakar covers these options for a gallery purchase.

What about a meal at Ge'eza's restaurant?

The payment methods accepted at the restaurant are not detailed online: for this specific question, the safest route is to message WhatsApp at +221 78 660 07 07 before your visit, or ask on the spot. The details above about Wave, Orange Money, cards and payment in person apply to the gallery, not to the restaurant.

Before you come

To book a table or ask a payment question ahead of your visit, our article on booking by WhatsApp in Dakar explains how to reach the team in a few messages.