Currency and cash
The currency is the leone. Payments are made in cash in leones (paying in foreign currency is officially banned); dollars and euros are easiest to exchange, at banks or official bureaux. A few ATMs in Freetown, with high fees and fraud risk; cards rarely accepted.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Sierra Leone, useful informationGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Sierra Leone
Accounts and mobile money
According to the World Bank (Global Findex, 2024 survey), 39% of adults have an account, at a bank or with mobile money, and 32% have a mobile money account (payments and transfers by phone). To open a mobile money account, ask the mobile operators which documents they require and what the fees are.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceWorld Bank, Global Findex 2025 database (accounts and mobile money, adults aged 15 and over)
Sources for this guide
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Sierra Leone, useful information · Source updated: September 15, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- Government of Canada, Travel advice: Sierra Leone · Source updated: June 25, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- World Bank, Global Findex 2025 database (accounts and mobile money, adults aged 15 and over) · Source updated: October 6, 2025 · Checked on October 2, 2026
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