Business Customs

Business customs in Sierra Leone align with Western traditions, with suits and traditional local attire being appropriate year-round. Courteous greetings and addressing individuals by professional titles are important. Business is relationship-driven, emphasizing the need for strong networks. Appointments are typically arranged through direct communication, such as calls, emails, or text messages, though punctuality is not always observed, and last-minute changes are common. Bargaining is a common practice in business dealings.

English is the official administrative language and widely used for business, especially in Freetown, though interpreters may be needed in provincial areas. Exchanging business cards is welcomed. Business activity slows during the rainy season (May to October), and carrying an umbrella is advisable during this period.

Travel Advisory

Travelers are encouraged to check the information provided by the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs: Sierra Leone International Travel Information. 

Visa requirements 

United States citizen travelers should make visa inquiries at Sierra Leonean embassies and consulates before travel. Visit the Embassy of Sierra Leone website for the most up-to-date visa information. All visitors entering Sierra Leone should possess a valid passport. A visa is required for everyone except citizens of ECOWAS member states.  However, visas can be obtained on arrival at either the airport, seaport, or land borders from the immigration department. Visas on arrival are only available to people traveling to Sierra Leone for tourism, business, or religious activities. They are single entry and only valid for one month (but can be extended after arrival). People traveling to Sierra Leone for work, education, or as diplomats cannot obtain visas on arrival. 
U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following link:  State Department Visa Website.

Currency

Sierra Leone’s currency is the Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL or Le). The country operates primarily as a cash-based economy with a floating exchange rate system. In July 2022, redenominated banknotes were introduced, removing three zeroes while maintaining their value (e.g., 10,000 old Leones equals 10 new Leones). Old banknotes are no longer legal tender.

The U.S. dollar can be exchanged for local currency at banks and licensed foreign exchange bureaus, but travelers should avoid unlicensed roadside exchanges or the “black market.” Sierra Leone has 14 commercial banks with branches nationwide, many offering credit/debit card and ATM services. However, some hotels and businesses may not accept cards or traveler’s checks, so carrying a small amount of cash is recommended. Large money transfers must comply with Section 68 of Sierra Leone’s Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Financing of Terrorism Act of 2012, requiring transactions to go through banks or authorized financial instruments.

Telecommunications/Electronics

The International direct country code for Sierra Leone is + 232 or 00 232. Fixed-line telecommunications services are available but not widely used. The mobile penetration rate is high with three active mobile phone operators: Orange, Africell, and QCell. Customers prefer mobile phones, though all phone lines can make landline and direct international calls.   

Internet penetration is low (32.4 percent in 2022) but continues to improve. An undersea fiber optic cable connects the country and enhances internet connection speed. All the major mobile phone companies provide data services (3G and 4G) that allow reasonably good internet connectivity throughout the country, though connection is spotty outside of urban centers. Some of the major telecommunications providers have also begun to roll out 5G networks, though this is primarily limited to the capital of Freetown. High-speed internet connections and Wi-Fi are available at many hotels, although connections are not always reliable, particularly outside of Freetown.  

Facebook, X.com, and WhatsApp Mobile social media platforms are essential communication tools. 
Sierra Leone’s electrical standard is 220 volts, the three-pronged G plug type is used almost exclusively, and adaptors are available at local electronic stores.

Transportation

Despite improvements in the road network within the capital and connections to key district headquarters, many roads still require upgrading to ensure safe and easy access to major towns and villages. Passenger transportation options include buses, vans, taxis, auto rickshaws, motorcycles, ferries, outboard-powered boats, and self-propelled local boats. In Freetown and other major cities, taxis, auto rickshaws, and motorcycles are common, though some are poorly maintained. Public transport vans, known as “poda poda,” are often overloaded and unsafe, and travelers are advised to avoid them. Cars with drivers are available for hire through hotels and car rental agencies, offering a safer and more reliable alternative to taxis and auto rickshaws.

For convenience and safety, travelers are advised to hire a car and driver for movement within cities and to the provinces. Four-wheel-drive vehicles with drivers are available for hire at some hotels for in-country travel. Travelers should carry copies of their passports while traveling within Sierra Leone. Driving after dark outside of Freetown or other major cities is discouraged due to poor street lighting, disabled vehicles blocking roads, the presence of animals and pedestrians, and local drivers who often fail to use headlights.

Freetown International Airport in Lungi is Sierra Leone’s main airport, separated from the capital, Freetown, by the Rokel River estuary. Water taxis, with agents at the airport, transport passengers across to Freetown. Ferries are also available, but require a taxi to reach the terminal. Alternatively, travelers can hire a vehicle from the airport to drive to Freetown, a journey of approximately three hours via a toll road.

Language

English is the official language of Sierra Leone, and Krio, the lingua franca, serves as the second language for many Sierra Leoneans. Additionally, many people speak indigenous languages, including Mende, Temne, Limba, Fula, Kuranko, Kono, and Loko. There are 16 ethnic groups in Sierra Leone, which is primarily spoken among family members, relatives, or other members of the ethnic group. Business travelers will find that most government officials and businesspeople speak English proficiently.

Health

Medical services in Sierra Leone are severely limited. The standard of care, including basic services such as imaging or blood tests, is much lower than that of the United States. The emergency number, which is 117, is not always in regular operation. Ambulance services are not widely available and can be unreliable. Training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards. Ambulances are not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and often have little or no medical equipment. They are not staffed with trained paramedics. Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

Medical facilities in Sierra Leone are limited, especially outside Freetown and in remote areas. Foreign visitors typically rely on private clinics found in urban centers. While some common medicines and prescription drugs are available locally, business travelers should bring sufficient supplies of necessary medications and use only reputable pharmacies. Medical care often requires immediate cash payment, and facilities generally do not meet U.S. standards.

The U.S. Embassy in Freetown maintains physicians and hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic. 

Sierra Leone has a high prevalence of malaria, yellow fever, typhoid, dengue, travelers’ diarrhea, and rabies, with occasional cholera outbreaks. Travelers should use CDC-recommended mosquito repellents, sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and take malaria prophylaxis starting before arrival. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry. Visitors should consult their physicians for health precautions and recommended vaccinations before traveling. CDC recommends vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, rabies, typhoid, yellow fever, Mpox, and COVID 19, as well as all routine vaccinations, prior to travel to Sierra Leone. 

Pharmacies, with medications manufactured primarily in India and China, are common. Prices are generally cheaper than in the United States. However, supplies sometimes vary, and counterfeits are pervasive. Visitors with chronic medical conditions must bring sufficient supplies and medicines for their stay. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water. Sanitary conditions are generally poor, so always ensure uncooked and non-peelable vegetables, salads, and fruits are washed and disinfected, fresh fish and seafood are properly sanitized, and meat is thoroughly cooked before eating. Swimming should be approached with caution, and swimming in rivers or stagnant freshwater is not recommended.

The climate in the dry season, November to April, is hot and humid, and extended sun exposure should be avoided to prevent excessive fluid loss and dehydration from perspiration. The rainy season is from May to October, with most rain falling in July and August. Many cities in Sierra Leone, such as Kabala, are at high altitude. Be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness and take precautions before you travel. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information regarding specific issues in Sierra Leone.

Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Local time, business hours, and holidays

The time zone is Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Business institutions and government offices usually operate from 0800 to 1700 Monday through Friday and close from 1300 to 1400 for lunch. Some businesses are open on Saturday. Some offices close on Friday afternoons in observance of Muslim prayers.  

It is typical for many government offices and businesses to hold staff meetings on Monday and Friday mornings. The executive arm of the government often holds meetings on Wednesdays. Holidays falling on Saturdays and Sundays are typically observed the following Monday. Muslim holidays do not have specified dates but are observed as announced by the government.  

The following are local holidays for 2026:  

Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings

Sierra Leone allows the temporary entry of traveler’s personal belongings subject to customs inspection (Section 91.6 of the Customs Act of 2011). The personal baggage of a visitor is admitted duty-free. Duty is not charged on items for personal use, including clothing, household items, electrical goods, and instruments/tools meant for professional use. No customs duty is required for visitors carrying portable computers/laptops and cellular telephones for their use. However, customs will levy duty on non-allowable personal effects and on those that are more than the allowable quantity. Unaccompanied personal and household effects must be declared as such and are subject to duties upon arrival in country. Illicit drugs, ammunition, and pornographic materials are prohibited. Currency declaration is required upon arrival for amounts in excess of the equivalent of US$10,000.