The Bank of Sierra Leone has issued a directive mandating the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) for all banking and financial transactions in the country. This announcement comes two years after the central bank’s initial engagement with sector stakeholders on integrating NIN into the financial system.
The NIN, issued by the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), is a unique identifier assigned to individuals for official and legal purposes.
According to the Bank of Sierra Leone, the new measure is intended to enhance customer identification, promote financial integrity, combat fraud, improve interoperability, and support the development of a robust digital financial ecosystem in Sierra Leone.
Effective immediately, all new bank account holders must present a valid NIN, while businesses are also required to provide a Tax Identification Number (TIN) issued by the National Revenue Authority (NRA).
For existing account holders, the central bank has given a deadline of 31st December 2025 to update their bank records with their NINs. Failure to comply may result in restricted access to banking services.
Additionally, the directive highlights the NIN as a critical requirement for accessing the National Payment Switch, a central platform designed to facilitate seamless digital transactions. Customers who wish to use this payment infrastructure must ensure their NINs are linked to their bank accounts by 31st August 2025.
The move is seen as a major step toward improving financial security and inclusion while aligning the country’s banking systems with global best practices in digital identity and transaction verification.
