Currency of Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone’s currency is the LEONE (Le) which is made up of 100 cents.
Paper money is available in denominations of:-

The central bank of the country is the BANK OF SIERRA LEONE whose objectives include:-
• promotion of monetary stability and sound financial structure
• maintenance of the internal and external values of the Leone
• promotion of credit and exchange conditions conducive to balanced economy growth
• issuance and distribution of notes and currency in the country
• formulation and implementation of monetary policy
• banker and advisor to the Government in financial and economic matters
• management of domestic and foreign debt
• acting as custodian of the country’s reserve of approved foreign exchange
• acting as banker to the Commercial Banks
• supervision and regulation of activities of commercial banks and other financial institutions
• administration of the operations of structural adjustment programmes where the bank has specific responsibilities
• rural banking
• diamond certification

the Bank of Sierra Leone is a 100 per cent state owned corporate body

Sierra Leone operates a floating exchange rate system and foreign currencies can be exchanged at any of the commercial banks, recognised foreign exchange bureaux and most hotels.

CREDIT CARDS
Limited use in Sierra Leone, though they may be utilised at some hotels and restaurants, for which you should check in advance with local managements. Sierra Leone does not have internationally linked Automatic Teller (ATM) machines.

TRAVELLERS CHEQUES
May be utilised at major hotels or cashed at banks and at few limited shop outlets.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE
It is important that Sierra Leone exchange regulations be observed – for example, it is illegal to exchange money with unlicensed money dealers. All transactions may only made at banks or recognised foreign exchange bureaux.

UK: Quest House, 73 Balcombe Road, Horley, Surrey, RH6 9AB, England Tel: 01293 822 922
North America: 2400 Boston Street, Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21224 USA Tel: (410) 705 8020