Niger — Shopping
Shopping
Markets in the main towns, notably Niamey and Agadez, sell a range of local artifacts. The Center des Métiers d’Art de Niger, close to the National Museum, is worth visiting, as a wide range of local goods can be bought there. Courteous bargaining is expected and items include multicolored blankets, leather goods, engraved calabashes, silver jewelry, swords and knives.
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1230 and 1500-1830, Sat 0800-1200.
Currency
CFA (Communauté Financière Africaine) Franc (XOF; symbol CFA) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of CFA10,000, 5,000, 2,500, 2,000 and 1,000. Coins are in denominations of CFA500, 250, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Niger is part of the French Monetary Area.
Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.
Currency Exchange
Currency can be exchanged at the airport as well as at main banks and hotels.
Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs
Niger has a cash-based society with no ATMs. Diners Club and MasterCard are accepted on a very limited basis.
Travelers Checks
Accepted by banks, as well as some hotels, restaurants, shops and airline offices. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in Euros.
Currency Restrictions
The import of local and foreign currency is unrestricted. Export of local currency is limited to XOF25,000. The export of foreign currency is unlimited.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 0730-1100 and 1530-1730.
Exchange Rate
| 1.00 GBP = 1.13 EUR |
| 1.00 USD = 0.7 EUR |
| 1.00 GBP = 746.8 XOF |
| 1.00 USD = 464.54 XOF |
| 1.00 EUR = 655.95 XOF |
| Currency conversion rates as of 19 July 2011 |
