Currency exchange offices in Dakar: where to change euros and dollars

To change euros or dollars in Dakar, currency exchange offices are mostly found at AIBD airport and in the city centre, in the Plateau district. Outside central Dakar, and especially in smaller towns, they are hard to find, so ATMs are usually the easier option. Before heading out, browse the banks, exchange offices and money services in Dakar listed on SeneFinder.

Euros, dollars and CFA francs: the basics

The West African CFA franc (FCFA, or XOF) is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate: 1 euro is worth exactly 655.957 FCFA. Exchange offices quote a euro rate slightly below it, the gap being their margin. For dollars, the rate moves daily, so compare two or three counters.

• Bring clean, recent notes. Torn or old bills may be refused, especially dollars.
• Carry your passport. It is often requested.
• Ask for smaller FCFA notes. A mix of 10,000, 5,000 and 2,000 FCFA notes makes life easier, as taxi drivers and small shops rarely have change for big bills.

Where to find an exchange office

AIBD airport. Exchange counters and ATMs are available on arrival. They are handy for your taxi or TER fare, but there is no need to change your whole budget there: the equivalent of 30,000 to 50,000 FCFA covers your first hours.

Plateau. Dakar's business and administrative centre has the highest concentration of licensed exchange offices, around the banks and main avenues. It is the best place to compare rates. The TER's Dakar station is in the Plateau, so it is easy to reach from Pikine, Thiaroye, Rufisque or Diamniadio.

Almadies, Ngor, Point E, Mermoz, Sacré-Cœur. Here you will mostly find bank branches, ATMs and money transfer outlets.

Suburbs and smaller towns. In Parcelles Assainies, Guédiawaye, Keur Massar or Rufisque, and even more so in Saly, exchange offices are scarce. Change money before leaving central Dakar, or plan to use ATMs.

ATMs and payments: often simpler than exchanging

ATMs are plentiful across Dakar, particularly in the Plateau, Almadies, Point E, Mermoz, Ouakam, Yoff and Liberté 6. With a Visa card, the most widely accepted foreign card, you withdraw CFA francs directly. Check your bank's foreign withdrawal fees and weekly limit before you travel. Our guide on withdrawing cash from ATMs in Dakar covers the details.

Cards work in hotels, supermarkets, malls and many restaurants; cash is essential at markets, in taxis and in neighbourhood shops. Ride-hailing apps such as Yango and Heetch are paid in cash or through Wave and Orange Money, not by card. Since Wave and Orange Money require a Senegalese SIM card and ID, most short-stay visitors should plan on a mix of card and cash.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Street money changers. However tempting the rate, informal changers expose you to counterfeit notes and short counts. Stick to licensed offices and banks.
• Count at the counter. Check your notes before walking away, then put them away discreetly.
• Keep your receipts. Hold on to every exchange receipt: it shows where your money came from and may be requested if you want to convert CFA francs back before leaving.
• Convert back in time. CFA francs are hard to exchange outside West Africa, so change them back in Dakar before your flight.

During the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games

The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games run from 31 October to 13 November 2026, bringing athletes aged 15 to 18, their families and media. Events take place in Dakar (Tour de l'Œuf, Iba Mar Diop in Médina), in Diamniadio and in Saly, about 80 km away. Get cash before heading to Diamniadio or Saly, where exchange offices are far rarer than in the Plateau. For schedules and tickets, check the organizing committee's official website or app.

Recommended addresses on SeneFinder

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

You can also see all addresses in this category or explore the Dakar directory.

Useful tools

• FCFA currency converter: work out what your euros or dollars are worth.
• Practical guide: emergency numbers, transport and practical info.
• SeneFinder Dakar 2026 page: venues and tips for the Games.
• Our article on the CFA franc to euro exchange rate explains the fixed peg.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I change euros in Dakar?

Licensed exchange offices are mainly at AIBD airport and in the Plateau, in the city centre. Elsewhere, ATMs are usually the simplest way to get cash.

Should I change a lot of money at the airport?

No, just change enough for your first expenses, such as a taxi or the TER. You can then compare rates in the Plateau or use an ATM.

Is it safe to use street money changers in Dakar?

It is best avoided. Counterfeit notes and miscounting are real risks, so use licensed offices and banks only, and keep your receipts.