Sierra Leone Industry

Sierra Leone Telecommunications (Sierratel) is the main provider of landlines for both national and international services in Sierra Leone. Prepaid phone cards are available in certain parts of the country that can be used in phone booths.

The five main mobile telephone companies are Celtel, Millicom, Africell, Datatel and Comium. They offer GSM services in Freetown, Bo , Kenema, Makeni and Kono, Kabala and other towns across the country. SIM cards can be purchased for use with your own mobile phone. GSM Services work on a prepaid basis. Prepaid cards can be purchased throughout the city and in some provincial towns. For further details kindly check with your Host, Hotel or Handling agent.

Sierratel and Datatel provide email and internet facilities. Telecentres and Internet Cafes are also available throughout the city and in some other provincial towns.

See also >>Tips for using your mobile phone in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone mobile phone prefix:

+232 76 - Celtel
+232 30 - Millicom
+232 33 - Comium
+232 77 - Africell
+232 40 - Datatel
+232 50 - Datatel

The Central Bank - Bank of Sierra Leone

The Bank of Sierra Leone plays a very vital role in the country’s private/public sector fiscal development.

For further details:

Bank of Sierra Leone
Sam Bangura building
Gloucester Street
PO Box 30
Freetown
Tel +232 22 226501
Fax +232 22 224764

Email: info@bankofsierraleone-centralbank.org

Banks are located in Freetown (downtown), Bo, Kenema (with further branches to open shortly). Most currencies can be exchanged at the posted daily rate. Money drafts can be received at Western Union and some other banks. Cash may be drawn on Credit cards at the major banks.

Accounts can be opened in local and international currencies with the proper identification. ATM facilities are available for in country accounts linking the banks’ head office with branches up country. There is no facility for international ATM access.

The local currency in Sierra Leone is the Leone (LE). This is made up of 100cents. Paper money is available in denominations of Le10,000, Le 5,000, Le 2,000, Le1,000, and Le500. Coins are available in Le500, Le100 and Le50

Sierra Leone operates a floating exchange rate system. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at any of the commercial banks, Foreign Exchange Bureaus and Hotels.

Very few businesses in Sierra Leone accept credit cards. Please confirm with management prior to any transaction. Credit cards can also be used at some of the commercial banks for cash in Leones. Traveller’s cheques can be used at major hotels or cashed at banks and some shops.

Note: It is illegal to exchange money in the street with unlicensed money dealers. Exchange money only at the Bank or at a Foreign exchange bureau (Bureau de change)