Exchanging obscure currency - Kwanza
Discussion
My question is, does any bank/bureau de change change obscure currencies ? I have tried Travelex and they don't list Kwanza as a currency they trade.
Due to government driven changes in Angola a dollar cash payment for lunch has been changed to local currency, Kwanza.
Now I don't buy lunch so I have been able to bring home the dollars at the end of each hitch which has been put aside for a US holiday later this year.
It may be I can change the Kwanza at the airport in Luanda, but it could be difficult, actually most things are difficult here. The government wants dollars so will put obstacles in the way of exchanging Kwanza for dollars, I could use a street trader and risk getting robbed, though their rates might be better than official rates.
So, any advise would be appreciated.
Due to government driven changes in Angola a dollar cash payment for lunch has been changed to local currency, Kwanza.
Now I don't buy lunch so I have been able to bring home the dollars at the end of each hitch which has been put aside for a US holiday later this year.
It may be I can change the Kwanza at the airport in Luanda, but it could be difficult, actually most things are difficult here. The government wants dollars so will put obstacles in the way of exchanging Kwanza for dollars, I could use a street trader and risk getting robbed, though their rates might be better than official rates.
So, any advise would be appreciated.
My question is, does any bank/bureau de change change obscure currencies ? I have tried Travelex and they don't list Kwanza as a currency they trade.
Due to government driven changes in Angola a dollar cash payment for lunch has been changed to local currency, Kwanza.
Now I don't buy lunch so I have been able to bring home the dollars at the end of each hitch which has been put aside for a US holiday later this year.
It may be I can change the Kwanza at the airport in Luanda, but it could be difficult, actually most things are difficult here. The government wants dollars so will put obstacles in the way of exchanging Kwanza for dollars, I could use a street trader and risk getting robbed, though their rates might be better than official rates.
So, any advise would be appreciated
Due to government driven changes in Angola a dollar cash payment for lunch has been changed to local currency, Kwanza.
Now I don't buy lunch so I have been able to bring home the dollars at the end of each hitch which has been put aside for a US holiday later this year.
It may be I can change the Kwanza at the airport in Luanda, but it could be difficult, actually most things are difficult here. The government wants dollars so will put obstacles in the way of exchanging Kwanza for dollars, I could use a street trader and risk getting robbed, though their rates might be better than official rates.
So, any advise would be appreciated
I'm in the same position, I'm sitting in work with a stack of Guinea Francs in my desk. Big wedge sorrounded with elastic bands. I think the current in country rate is about 10,000gf = £, so I'm no millionaire. Keep thinking I'll bin them but something doesnt feel right about doing doing it, hence they are in the man drawer.
It is illegal under Angolan law to bring Kwanza out of the country and as such you can't change them outside of the country. I too spend dollars and receive the change in Kwanza. It's just a case of spending the change before you leave. Not in Luanda airport though, as the Kwanza man is meant to relieve you of any you have before you get to the departure lounge.
As Brewster has said, it is 100% illegal to remove Kwanza from Angola (I lived there for 3.5 years)
There is even a customs checkpoint at the bottom of the stairs in departures where they will ask you "any local currency" and may even want to see your wallet.
If you're in Luanda then any of the moneychangers on the street will swap your KZ back into USD at a decent rate, other than that it's a case of spend it before you go or find a local to exchange with...
If you have a local Angolan bank account (BNA, Banco Bic or BCI) then you can (theoretically) transfer money out of Angola (the bank will convert KZ into USD for you at point of TxFer) but it's not always easy, if the country are low on US funds then they may refuse the transfer.
There is even a customs checkpoint at the bottom of the stairs in departures where they will ask you "any local currency" and may even want to see your wallet.
If you're in Luanda then any of the moneychangers on the street will swap your KZ back into USD at a decent rate, other than that it's a case of spend it before you go or find a local to exchange with...
If you have a local Angolan bank account (BNA, Banco Bic or BCI) then you can (theoretically) transfer money out of Angola (the bank will convert KZ into USD for you at point of TxFer) but it's not always easy, if the country are low on US funds then they may refuse the transfer.
I am in Luanda, at Sonils base.
There are money changers outside the gate here (dodgy area but quite a lot of security guards) and also outside the office in town (probably safer there)
I think one of the guards at the office can organise it and there are a few others in the same position so a group buy might be the thing
Thanks for the offer though.
There are money changers outside the gate here (dodgy area but quite a lot of security guards) and also outside the office in town (probably safer there)
I think one of the guards at the office can organise it and there are a few others in the same position so a group buy might be the thing
Thanks for the offer though.
Corpulent Tosser said:
I am in Luanda, at Sonils base.
There are money changers outside the gate here (dodgy area but quite a lot of security guards) and also outside the office in town (probably safer there)
I think one of the guards at the office can organise it and there are a few others in the same position so a group buy might be the thing
Thanks for the offer though.
Not the best of areas no, I still remember watching a Chinese lorry driver and his mate beat the living daylights out of two locals who attempted to rob their truck and get away (through the Sonils traffic) on mopeds... they laid into them with wooden bats, really gave them a hiding. Got all their stuff back though!!There are money changers outside the gate here (dodgy area but quite a lot of security guards) and also outside the office in town (probably safer there)
I think one of the guards at the office can organise it and there are a few others in the same position so a group buy might be the thing
Thanks for the offer though.
Anyway, money changers... I always used to use the ladies on the road behind the Alvalade Hotel, they seemed to give the best rates, as you say though, one of the money changing "Mr Big" types may do a better deal for a group buy.
Do you still have to have a little chat at Luanda airport with a Govenment official and hand over any Angolan currency still in your possession?
Get it changed regardless of rate before you head home, as they will attempt to take it from you at the airport and there is no exchange market for Kwansa outside Angola.
Get it changed regardless of rate before you head home, as they will attempt to take it from you at the airport and there is no exchange market for Kwansa outside Angola.
Popeyed said:
Do you still have to have a little chat at Luanda airport with a Govenment official and hand over any Angolan currency still in your possession?
Get it changed regardless of rate before you head home, as they will attempt to take it from you at the airport and there is no exchange market for Kwansa outside Angola.
The law changed, you can take up to 50000 Kwanza out, though why anyone would want to if it cannot be changed is another matter.Get it changed regardless of rate before you head home, as they will attempt to take it from you at the airport and there is no exchange market for Kwansa outside Angola.
Corpulent Tosser said:
Popeyed said:
Do you still have to have a little chat at Luanda airport with a Govenment official and hand over any Angolan currency still in your possession?
Get it changed regardless of rate before you head home, as they will attempt to take it from you at the airport and there is no exchange market for Kwansa outside Angola.
The law changed, you can take up to 50000 Kwanza out, though why anyone would want to if it cannot be changed is another matter.Get it changed regardless of rate before you head home, as they will attempt to take it from you at the airport and there is no exchange market for Kwansa outside Angola.
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