Personal Finance Tips

Top payment methods in Niger: A guide on best ways to pay

Nicholas Chia

08.09.25

Read time 1 minute

Wondering what the most popular ways to pay are in Niger? Explore the top payment options and choose wisely.

Niger, with a population of around 29.13 million people, has a GDP of approximately 21.87 billion, making it the 126th largest economy in the world. The official currency of Niger is the West African CFA Franc (XOF).

The economy is centered on subsistence agriculture and the export of uranium. It is a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and ECOWAS, with France and Nigeria as key partners.


Country	Niger
Population	29.13 million
GDP (USD)	21.87 billion
Global Ranking	126th
Currency	West African CFA Franc (XOF)

What is the main payment method in Niger?

The exclusive payment method for the vast majority of transactions in Niger is physical cash, the West African CFA franc. The main digital alternative is mobile money, with services like Zamani¹ and Airtel Money² being used for basic peer-to-peer transfers. Credit cards are not a viable payment method as acceptance is virtually non-existent.³

How to pay in Niger

Each country has its own way of moving money, and choosing the right method can sometimes be difficult. That’s why we have curated the most popular and best payment options for you to use in Niger.

Payment method	Description	Type
Wise	Wise provides international money transfer services. It is known for offering transparent, low-cost currency exchange rates and fast transfers. Wise uses the real mid-market exchange rate and charges a small, upfront fee, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional banks for sending money abroad. The platform also offers multi-currency accounts, allowing users to hold and manage money in multiple currencies.	Online/in-person
Cash (West African CFA franc)	Cash is the overwhelmingly dominant payment method and is required for nearly all transactions in the country.	In-person
Mobile Money (Orange, Airtel, Moov)	Mobile money is the leading and most accessible digital financial service, used for P2P transfers and basic payments.¹,²,⁴	Online/in-person
Bank Transfers	Bank transfers are used for formal, large-value, and government transactions but are not a common consumer payment method.	Online
Cards	Card usage and acceptance is extremely low and is not a feature of the general retail environment.³	In-person

Is PayPal available in Niger?

Yes, PayPal is accepted in Niger.⁵

Cover all your international travel expenses with the Wise Multi-Currency Card

Whatever you need to buy during your trip, whether it’s a travel adapter, train ticket or an extra bottle of sunscreen, the Wise Multi-Currency Card has you covered.

You can spend like a local in 150+ countries, as this clever contactless card automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend - for just a small conversion fee.

And for extra convenience, you can add your Wise Multi-Currency Card to your Google Wallet or Apple Wallet. Then you can travel even lighter and pay using just your phone, with no need to pack the physical card.

Get started with Wise

*Wise is not a bank. The Wise Multi-Currency Card is issued by our sponsor Bank(s), member(s) FDIC. Fees and T&C apply. See https://income-climb.live/a%3E for details.

Sources:

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.