Accepting card payments: a guide for Senegalese merchants

To start accepting card payments in Senegal, you sign a merchant agreement with your bank to get a payment terminal, then set up your till so cards, mobile money and cash work side by side. With the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games running from 31 October to 13 November, families of young athletes, visitors and media crews will move between Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly carrying bank cards. Here is how to get ready.

Getting a card terminal through your bank

Your bank is the most direct route. No business account yet? Start by opening a bank account in Senegal, then meet a business adviser with:

• your trade registration (NINEA and RCCM) and a valid ID;
• proof of address for your premises, whether you trade in Plateau, Mermoz or Parcelles Assainies;
• a rough estimate of your turnover.

Banks usually offer a countertop terminal on a fixed line or a portable one with a data SIM, either rented monthly or bought outright. Portable ones suit restaurants in Ngor or Ouakam that take payment at the table. Setup can take days or weeks, so apply now.

Understand the fees before you sign

Every card payment has a cost. The bank keeps a commission on each transaction, usually a percentage, sometimes with a fixed fee on top, plus the monthly terminal rental. Foreign cards often cost more to process than local ones. Ask:

• what is the rate for a local card, and for a foreign one?
• is there a monthly minimum, or a fee if the terminal is rarely used?
• how many days until the money reaches your account?

Compare at least two banks. Build the cost into your prices instead of adding a card surcharge at the till, which tends to put customers off. To see which institutions operate near you, browse banks and financial services in Dakar on SeneFinder.

Visa first, Wave and Orange Money for local customers

Among foreign cards, Visa is by far the one visitors carry most often, so it is the one you must accept. Hotels, supermarkets, malls and many restaurants in Dakar and the Saly resorts already take it, and travellers expect it.

For Senegalese customers, keep Wave and Orange Money. They are everyday habits in Pikine, Guédiawaye and Keur Massar, and both require a Senegalese SIM card and an ID, which most short-stay visitors simply do not have. Display your merchant codes clearly next to the till. Our Wave and Orange Money guide covers the details.

Cash still matters

Even with a terminal, do not turn cash away. Markets, taxis and small shops still run on FCFA, and ride-hailing apps such as Yango and Heetch are paid in cash or through Wave and Orange Money, not by card. Many visitors withdraw notes at an airport ATM on arrival, so keep plenty of small change. Bureaux de change are mostly at the airport and in central Dakar.

Security and receipts

• Keep the card in sight at all times and let customers type their PIN privately.
• Always hand over a receipt and keep your copy: it is your proof if a payment is disputed.
• Reconcile the terminal total with your cash drawer every evening.
• For theft or fraud, call the police on 17.

During the Games, spectators will travel between Complexe Iba Mar Diop in Médina, the Corniche Ouest and Diamniadio, so shops near TER stations such as Colobane, Hann, Rufisque or Diamniadio may see extra footfall. For event schedules, point customers to the organizing committee's official website or app.

Recommended addresses on SeneFinder

• Money & Finance in Dakar on SeneFinder: browse up-to-date listings for banks, exchange offices and financial services in the capital.

See all addresses in this category or explore the Dakar directory. Running a shop or restaurant? List your business for free on SeneFinder so visitors can find you, and feel free to recommend an address you trust.

Useful tools

• List your business in the directory.
• FCFA currency converter to help foreign customers.
• SeneFinder Dakar 2026 page to follow the event.
• Practical guide: emergency numbers, transport and essentials.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a card payment terminal in Senegal?

Go to your bank with your trade registration, NINEA and ID. It will offer a countertop or portable terminal, rented or purchased, under a contract that sets out the fees.

Which foreign card should I accept first?

Visa is the most common foreign card among visitors to Dakar. Make it your priority if you expect international customers, especially during the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Should I stop taking Wave, Orange Money or cash?

No. Local customers mostly pay with Wave, Orange Money or cash, and many visitors carry notes from an ATM. Offering all three remains the smartest approach.