Africa
Money, cards and tipping in Cameroon
XAFFranc
Money in Cameroon
Mostly cash Cards work in Douala and Yaoundé hotels and a few restaurants; cash is needed everywhere else. Bring EUR to exchange. US$1 ≈ CFA582.98 (03 Oct 2026).
Key facts
- Tipping: Not required; round up or leave 5–10% in restaurants.
- ATMs: ATMs cap withdrawals around 100,000–200,000 XAF; Visa is more widely accepted than Mastercard.
- Paying by phone: MTN MoMo and Orange Money are used locally but need a Cameroon SIM and account.
- Price level: about 34% of US prices (World Bank PPP).
Cash or card, by place
| Place | Cards | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Douala | Mostly cash | Cards work in a few hotels and upscale restaurants; cash for almost everything else. Foreign cards often fail at ATMs, so carry cash and use bank branches. |
Quick answers
Do you tip in Cameroon?
Not required; round up or leave 5–10% in restaurants.
Is Cameroon cashless?
Mostly cash. Cards work in Douala and Yaoundé hotels and a few restaurants; cash is needed everywhere else. Bring EUR to exchange.
What currency does Cameroon use?
The Franc (XAF). US$1 ≈ CFA582.98 (03 Oct 2026).
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- US State Department travel advisory
- Camrail
- Speedtest Global Index: Cameroon
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.