In Brazzaville, there are shops and colorful markets. An arts and crafts center at Poto Poto sells, amongst other things, local paintings and carved wooden masks and figures. The two main markets are Moungali and Ouenze. Avenue Foch is crowded with street vendors. Basketwork can be bought at the villages of Makana and M’Pila (3km/2 miles from Brazzaville), with pottery and an open-air market.
Shopping hours Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1500-1800. Some shops close on Monday afternoon and a few open on Sunday morning.
Currency Information:CurrencyCFA (
Communauté
Financière Africaine) Franc (XAF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of XAF10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of XAF250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1.
Congo is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the
Banque des États de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is valid; currency issued by the
Banque des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro. However, US Dollars are the preferred currency.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMsDiners Club and MasterCard have limited use. Hotels in Brazaville and Point Noire accept major credit or debit cards, although prefer cash. One bank in Brazzaville has an ATM.
Traveller's ChequesTo avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Euros or Pounds Sterling. These are accepted only in the larger cities.
Banking Hours0630-1300 Monday to Friday (counters close at 1130).
Exchange Rate Indicators| Date | Apr 07 |
| £1.00= | XAF969.87 |
| $1.00= | XAF490.65 |
| €1.00= | XAF655.96 |
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