Living in Sierra Leone as a French National: Visa, Freetown, Currency and Daily Life

Sierra Leone, which extends over 71,740 km² along the Atlantic, has more than 8 million inhabitants according to the IMF. Its capital is Freetown; its main cities are Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Kambia and Port Loko. English is the official language, with Krio, Mende and Temne the common languages; the national day is 27 April (France Diplomatie, country presentation). Life expectancy is about 62 years according to the UN, the literacy rate about half of the population (World Bank), and the country ranks among the last for the human development index (UNDP).

The advantages lie in the coastal life of the Freetown peninsula, the use of English for business and notable mining activity (iron ore, diamonds, rutile, gold). The realities are just as clear: a cost of living weighing on the population, little developed road and health infrastructure and difficulties in accessing cash in foreign currency. The French nationals present are mostly managers and technicians of companies, NGOs, international organisations or mining projects.

To complete this guide, see working in Sierra Leone, the healthcare system, healthcare reimbursement and retirement in Sierra Leone. Updated economic indicators appear in the block above.

Freetown and the peninsula concentrate the administration, companies, NGOs and the French diplomatic office. France Diplomatie judges the level of insecurity low in the capital and on the peninsula, and specifies that the beaches can be visited by day without particular risk. It does, however, report thefts, burglaries and assaults in certain areas (Congo Cross, Wilkinson Road, Lumley Beach, Aberdeen, the city centre around Cotton Tree) and recommends avoiding, especially at night, north-eastern Freetown and the port surroundings as well as walking on Lumley beach.

The inland towns (Bo, Kenema, Makeni) host professional or humanitarian assignments, with a more limited range of services. The border area with Liberia, whose situation remains unstable, is advised against except for compelling reasons; travel is possible in the rest of the territory, with heightened vigilance and avoiding any political gathering. Riots may occur at any time, including in Freetown, because of the rising cost of living.

None of the official sources read publishes rents; ask your employer, the embassy and residents. The 90-day checklist helps you organise arrival formalities.

French nationals must obtain a visa. For a short stay, the application is made online before departure on the Sierra Leone immigration website (evisa.sl). France Diplomatie indicates that the new online system is not yet fully operational and that French nationals can therefore still obtain a visa on arrival, at Freetown airport. Sierra Leone has no diplomatic representation in France. The price and duration of the visa, the conditions of stay and the list of documents do not appear on the France Diplomatie page: consult the official website before departure.

At customs, importing more than 10,000 US dollars is prohibited, and only certain professionals holding a special licence from the Ministry of Mineral Resources may export diamonds. Transactions in gold, diamonds or other precious materials give rise to many scams: ask the consulate for its opinion before any operation.

France is represented by the French embassy in Guinea, in Conakry, which is competent for Sierra Leone and has a diplomatic office in Freetown (2 Mandalay Street, Cold Storage, Kingtom). For emergencies, France Diplomatie gives +224 621 00 00 10 during office hours and +224 621 08 89 15 outside hours. Register on the register of French nationals living abroad and on Fil d’Ariane (the French foreign ministry’s traveller registration service).

The currency is the leone, which can be neither exported nor converted into another currency abroad. The US dollar and the euro are the easiest currencies to change into leones. Few hotels accept credit cards; payments are made in cash, in leones, as payments in foreign currency are officially prohibited. A few ATMs exist in Freetown, but they charge a significant commission and fraud there is high (France Diplomatie, useful information).

The main roads of Freetown are paved, but several roads on the peninsula are unfinished and in poor condition, and traffic is heavy, with jams that can last several hours. France Diplomatie recommends using the only road map available, published by Shell, planning fuel reserves because supply is not always assured, and carrying personal documents and vehicle documents: checks are rare but rigorous. In case of an accident, it is advised to stay in the vehicle if possible, then make your way to the nearest police station or official building.

Serious accidents are frequent: poorly lit roads, poorly maintained vehicles, some without lights. Avoid driving at night outside the peninsula. In the rainy season, roads can become impassable: plan an off-road vehicle and an experienced driver. Motorcycle taxis, tricycle taxis (keke) and shared transport are strongly advised against.

France Diplomatie’s advice is that of an urban country where inequalities are visible: do not display signs of wealth, avoid large sums of money, leave valuables in a safe place, do not walk alone at night, do not resist in case of armed assault, ask permission before photographing or filming people. The terrorist risk in the region is not ruled out, with heightened vigilance in places frequented by expatriates.

On legislation, drug use and possession are severely punished, identity checks are frequent, homosexuality is illegal, and you should wear covering clothing and avoid public displays of affection.

The climate is marked by torrential rain from May to November (floods, landslides) and, the rest of the year, by the harmattan, which reduces visibility. Swimming involves risks: strong currents and unsupervised beaches.

The official sources read list no French school in Sierra Leone. Families should ask the French embassy in Conakry, whose “Family – Schooling” section covers school scholarships for a French child enrolled in an establishment approved by the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) or the Mission laïque française, and the international schools of Freetown. See expat family insurance for children’s cover.

France Diplomatie considers an assistance contract or insurance covering all medical costs, hospitalisation and repatriation indispensable, to be taken out before departure: health infrastructure is little developed and there is no emergency service in the country. Yellow fever vaccination is a condition of entry. See assistance and repatriation and expat health insurance; Expavy helps you compare contracts according to your status.