The Central African franc (XAF) serves as currency across Congo Republic, shared with five other Central African Economic and Monetary Community nations. The Bank of Central African States issues notes in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, and 10,000 francs. Coins circulate in 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500 franc denominations. The franc links to the euro at a fixed rate of 655.957 XAF per euro, established when the currency replaced the colonial franc in 1945 and maintained through the French Treasury guarantee. This peg means the Central African franc moves with European monetary policy rather than reflecting Congolese economic conditions.
Maya-Maya International Airport in Brazzaville handles most international arrivals, positioned 5 kilometers from the city center along the right bank of the Congo River. Air France operates direct flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle three times weekly. Ethiopian Airlines connects through Addis Ababa daily. Royal Air Maroc routes through Casablanca four times per week. ECAir, the regional carrier, connects Brazzaville to Libreville, Douala, and other Central African cities. Pointe-Noire Airport serves the economic capital with connections to Paris via Air France twice weekly and regional links through Ethiopian, Kenya Airways, and Turkish Airlines. Domestic flights between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire operate daily through Trans Air Congo and ECAir on approximately 45-minute schedules.
Visa requirements apply to most nationalities entering Congo Republic. Citizens of Central African Economic and Monetary Community member states enter without visas. All other travelers require visas obtained before arrival through Congolese embassies or consulates, as the airport does not issue visas on arrival. The embassy in Washington DC processes applications for US citizens. Processing times extend from 5 to 15 working days depending on the embassy. Tourist visas typically grant 30-day stays. Extensions require application at the Direction Générale de la Documentation et de l'Immigration in Brazzaville or Pointe-Noire before expiration. Official visa information appears at www.ambassadeducongo-fr.org.
Banks concentrate in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire with limited presence in Dolisie and other regional centers. BGFI Bank, Banque Congolaise de l'Habitat, and Ecobank maintain branches in both major cities. Banking hours run Monday through Friday from 0730 to 1500 with closures for lunch between 1130 and 1330. ATMs exist at major bank branches in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire but frequently run empty or offline. Withdrawal limits when machines function range from 50,000 to 100,000 francs per transaction. International cards work inconsistently. The ATM at Maya-Maya International Airport operates more reliably than most street locations but charges higher fees. Travelers carrying euro cash find better exchange rates than those arriving with US dollars or other currencies.
Bureau de change offices operate in Brazzaville near Avenue Amilcar Cabral and in Pointe-Noire along Avenue Charles de Gaulle. Exchange rates vary between offices by 2 to 5 percent. Hotels exchange currency at rates approximately 10 percent below official market rates. Street exchange exists but carries risks of counterfeit notes. Banks exchange foreign currency for account holders only, rejecting walk-in exchange requests. The euro receives the most favorable rates due to the fixed peg relationship. US dollars require inspection for condition, with torn or heavily worn bills refused. Exchange offices require passport presentation for transactions above 100,000 francs.
Credit card acceptance remains minimal outside international hotels. The Radisson Blu in Brazzaville and Elais Hotel in Pointe-Noire accept Visa and Mastercard. Most restaurants, shops, and local hotels operate cash-only. Mobile money services through MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money function widely for domestic transactions but do not connect to international accounts. These platforms allow bill payments, phone credit purchases, and person-to-person transfers but require local SIM cards and Congolese identification for account setup.
Transport from Maya-Maya Airport into Brazzaville operates through taxis charging 5,000 to 10,000 francs for the 20-minute journey to the city center. Hotel shuttles serve guests with advance arrangements. No public bus service connects the airport to the city. Taxis at Pointe-Noire Airport charge 3,000 to 5,000 francs for transfers to downtown hotels, a distance of approximately 3 kilometers. Both airports prohibit ride-sharing services. Departure taxes included in ticket prices since 2018 eliminated the previous requirement to pay separately at the airport.