Togo Travel Guide

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Shopping

Market purchases include wax prints, indigo cloth, Kente and dye-stamped Adinkira cloth from Ghana, embroideries, batik and lace from The Netherlands, locally made heavy marble ashtrays, gold and silver jewelry, traditional masks, wood sculpture and religious statuettes. Voodoo stalls display an extraordinary range of items used in magic, among them, cowrie shells.

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1730, Sat 0730-1230.

Currency

CFA (Communauté Financière Africaine) Franc (XOF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of XOF10,000, 5,000, 2,500, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of XOF250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1.

Togo 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

Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and bureau de change in Lomé and other major cities.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

American Express is widely accepted, with more limited use of Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa. The main branch of the Togolese Central Bank in Lomé (BTCI) can give cash withdrawals against a Visa card.

Travelers Checks

International traveler's checks are accepted in Lomé and other major cities.

Currency Restrictions

The import of local and foreign currency is limited to XOF1 million or equivalent. The export of local currency is limited to XOF25,000. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on entry.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1600.

Exchange Rate