Currency
CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc (CFAfr or XAF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of CFAfr10,000, 5000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CFAfr500, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5.
Currency exchange
Equatorial Guinea is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro. Foreign currencies are best exchanged at banks, of which, however, there are few. Receipts for currency exchange should be retained.
Credit & debit cards
Diners Club is accepted on a limited basis. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Travellers cheques
Travellers cheques are generally not recommended.
Currency restrictions
The import of local and foreign currency is unrestricted provided declared on arrival. The export of local currency is limited to CFAfr50,000. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival. It is worth remembering that CFA Franc notes cannot easily be exchanged outside the CFA Franc area.
Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the CFA Franc against Sterling and the US Dollar:
| Date | May '04 | Aug '04 | Nov '04 | Feb '05 | | £1.00= | 983.76 | 978.35 | 936.79 | 992.84 | | $1.00= | 550.79 | 531.03 | 494.69 | 525.73 |
Banking hours
Mon-Sat 0800-1200.
|