Most banking institutions in Cameroon often issue ATM cards without educating their client on how to use an ATM (Automated Teller Machine), i.e., they will only give you an ATM pin without telling you how to use it. There are a series of procedures that you need to follow to get an ATM machine to dispense cash.
An ATM machine is a computer-like device equipped with a number pad and 4 buttons on each left and right side of the screen, which you can use to operate the ATM machine. Using an ATM machine for cash withdrawal is more involved than inserting your ATM card into an ATM machine and pressing a single button for the ATM machine to dispense cash.
How to Use an ATM Card in Cameroon?
Most Cameroonians who have never used an ATM machine are often anxious to withdraw cash when they enter an ATM booth for the first time. Many are under the false impression that they may press the wrong button and spoil an ATM machine.
The number pads have numbers that range from 0 to 9, an erase button and enter button. This number pad is used by ATM users to enter their ATM pin and the exact amount they wish to withdraw from the cash dispenser.
There are also 8 buttons of various colors (4 on each left and right side of the screen of an ATM Machine), which you will need to use to choose among multiple options on the screen… presented by an ATM machine.
There’s also an ATM card slot on an ATM machine where you can insert your bank card and a cash dispenser where cash comes from an ATM machine. There’s also an area where the receipt comes out.
How to Use an ATM to Withdraw Money in Cameroon?
Insert your ATM card into the ATM slot of an ATM machine. An arrow icon on every ATM card shows you how an ATM card should be inserted into an ATM machine. The part with the arrow icon goes in first.
Next, read the instruction on the screen of the ATM machine. You will be asked to choose your preferred language to receive instruction.
To choose your preferred language, press the button beside the screen corresponding to the English or French option, as shown in the screenshot below.
After choosing your preferred language, you will be expected to enter your 4-digit pin code to commence the withdrawal process. Use the number pad to enter your ATM pin and press the enter button when you are done. Press the button which corresponds to the amount you wish to withdraw. After you enter your pin, the ATM machine will present you with various cash amounts you can withdraw.
After you have selected the amount you wish to wish to withdraw, within seconds, the ATM machine will dispense the amount.
After you have collected the money, you will see a message on your screen asking if you want to do another transaction. Choose the “YES” option and repeat the same procedure to withdraw another amount of money, or choose the “NO” option.
If you choose the NO option, the ATM machine will automatically eject your ATM card from the ATM machine. You can then collect your ATM card and leave the ATM booth.
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Max Withdrawal Limit for ATM in Cameroon
A maximum of 250,000 FCFA can be withdrawn each time at the ATM booth. These can be perfomed up to four times. Hence, the absolute max amount per day is 1,000,000 FCFA per day.
Rules to follow when using an ATM card in Cameroon.
- Only enter the wrong ATM pin 3 times, or your card will get trapped in an ATM machine.
- Do not ask a stranger to help you to withdraw money from an ATM or reveal your ATM pin to the stranger.
- Follow the instructions on your screen strictly and fast
List of ATMs in Cameroon where you can withdraw money using your Visa or Master card
- UBA Cameroon ATM
- Ecobank Cameroon ATM
- BICEC Bank
- Afriland First Bank Cameroon ATM
- Access Bank
Most banks would allow you to withdraw money from their ATM for free if their bank issued the ATM card.
For example, suppose you go to a UBA ATM Booth to withdraw money using an Ecobank bank card. In that case, you will be expected to pay withdrawal charges of 500 FCFA, automatically deducted from your bank account or prepaid card.
