Freetown, Sierra Leone, July 2025— Bank of Sierra Leone has rolled out a nationwide directive requiring the use of a National Identification Number (NIN) for all banking activities, marking a significant shift in the country’s financial compliance system.
According to the directive, effective immediately, all new individual customer accounts must be opened using a valid NIN issued by the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA). For businesses, a Tax Identification Number (TIN) issued by the National Revenue Authority (NRA) is now compulsory for account registration.
Existing customers are expected to update their account records with a valid NIN on or before 31st December 2025. Failure to comply by the deadline may affect access to banking services.
In addition, the policy ties access to the National Switch, used for interbank payments and digital transactions, to the NIN. The Bank further mentioned that customers who wish to continue using the National Switch must ensure that their NIN is linked to their bank account by August 31, 2025.
