Payment methods in Mauritania

Visa is the world's largest card network, enabling credit, debit and prepaid card payments online, in-store and at ATMs across virtually every market. In the listed countries Visa is a core internationally accepted scheme alongside local methods.

Mastercard is a leading global card network supporting credit, debit and prepaid card payments online, in-store and at ATMs worldwide. In the listed countries it is a core internationally accepted scheme.

Bankily is the leading mobile money application in Mauritania, owned and operated by Banque Populaire de Mauritanie. It offers a broad suite of services including P2P transfers, merchant QR payments, bill payments, airtime top-up, salary receipt, and savings products. Bankily has grown rapidly since its launch and is the closest thing Mauritania has to a mass-market digital payment platform. Its bank backing gives it regulatory credibility and integration with the formal banking system.

Masrvi is a competing mobile payment service in Mauritania, providing P2P transfers, merchant payments, and utility bill payments. It targets both banked and unbanked users and has been expanding its merchant acceptance network in Nouakchott and other urban centres.

Remittances from the Comorian diaspora in France and Mayotte are estimated at over 20% of GDP, making international money transfer services essential infrastructure. Money Express, Western Union, and MoneyGram operate transfer points through local banking partners. Mobile-linked remittance services are also growing.

With remittances estimated at over 20% of GDP, international money transfer services are essential financial infrastructure in The Gambia. Western Union and MoneyGram operate via local bank agents, while newer digital-first operators such as WorldRemit and Wave have grown rapidly, offering lower-cost transfer options from the UK and European diaspora communities.