Essentials
- City
- Freetown, Western Area, Sierra Leone
- Population
- Approximately 1.2 million
- Internet Speed
- Average 15-25 Mbps (Fiber available via Orange/Africell in specific zones)
- Currency & Banking
- Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL/SLE). 1 USD ≈ 22.5 SLE (New Leone)
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; bottled water like Milla or Grafton is essential
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G (UK standard). Supply is inconsistent; power banks/backups are required.
- SIM Card
- Orange SL and Africell SL are primary; 10GB data costs approx. 150 SLE ($6.50)
- Banking for Expats
- Ecobank, Standard Chartered, and United Bank for Africa (UBA); ATMs accept Visa mostly
- Accommodation
- Airbnb and serviced apartments in Aberdeen or Lumley are standard
- Cashless Friendly
- Mainly cash-based; card payments accepted only in high-end hotels and supermarkets like St. Mary’s
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Property SL for serviced apartments; $800 - $1,500/month for decent nomad standards
- Budget Accommodation
- Lighthouse Guest House (Aberdeen) or various lodges in the Hill Station area
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Aberdeen (Beach access and restaurants) and Lumley
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Hill Station (Cooler climate, more stable electricity) or Wilkinson Road (Central connectivity)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Innovation Axis (Kingston-upon-Hull Way) - Day pass approx. 200 SLE
- Best Cafe for Work
- Crown Bakery (Wilkinson Road) and Gina's Restaurant (Aberdeen) - good Wi-Fi and power
- Networking Events
- Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce meetups and Sensi Tech Hub events
- Social Events for Expats
- Freetown Expats Facebook Group and Friday nights at Gigibonta or Warehouse
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Hadi Rides (Local alternative to Uber) or hiring private drivers via hotels
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not formally available via apps; 'Okadas' (motorcycle taxis) are ubiquitous and cheap (5-15 SLE)
- Best Beach Nearby
- River No. 2 Beach (Approx. 45 mins from city center) - widely considered the best
- Top Regional Airline
- ASKY Airlines or Air Côte d'Ivoire
- Top International Airline
- Turkish Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air France
- Highway Access
- Freetown-Masiaka Highway connects the capital to the rest of the country
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No active commercial rail; Sea Coach Express (Aberdeen) is the main ferry link to Lungi Airport
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal pass system; cash-only for 'Poda-Podas' (minibuses)
- Regional Travel
- Water taxis to Lungi (Approx. $45 one way) or private 4x4 rentals for inland travel
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Choithram Memorial Hospital (Hill Station) - private and preferred by expats
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Freetown Yoga Community (locations vary, often at River No. 2 on weekends)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The Gym at Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko or The Body Shop Fitness Center (Aberdeen)
- Laundry Services
- Sunshine Dry Cleaners (Wilkinson Road)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- No major global apps; direct delivery via WhatsApp from restaurants like Padi’s
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cassava Leaves with rice or Jollof Rice
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Lulu’s Juices (Wilkinson Road) and many Lebanese-run spots like Balmaya
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gigibonta (Aberdeen) - best Italian-style gelato in the city
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Big Market (Wallace Johnson St) for local goods; St. Mary’s Supermarket for groceries
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Limited local options; residents often use shipping agents for Amazon/UK imports
- Grocery Delivery
- Direct ordering via WhatsApp from Stop N Shop or St. Mary’s
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Aberdeen Creek and Lumley Beach road
- Local Brewery
- Sierra Leone Breweries Ltd (Star Beer is the national lager)
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Bar (Wilkinson Road)
- Street Food Stalls
- Beach-side grilled fish at Lumley Beach (approx. 150 SLE for a platter)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Bia’s (Japanese/Sushi) and Franco’s (Italian at Sussex Beach)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Cotton Tree (City Center) and Bunce Island (Slave trade historical site)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Sierra Leone National Museum (Cotton Tree area)
- Historical Sites
- Bunce Island and Old Fourah Bay College building
- Religious Sites
- St. George's Cathedral and the Freetown Central Mosque
- Annual Events
- Freetown Music Festival (March) and Ma Dengn Beach Festival
- Cultural Districts
- Krootown Road for traditional markets and urban culture
- Theater Venues
- British Council Auditorium (Tower Hill)
- Local Markets
- Big Market for handicrafts and Victoria Park Market
- Music Scene
- Maringa music and Afrobeat; live bands at 232 Complex
- Street Art
- Murals near the National Museum and King Jimmy area
- Cooking Classes
- Private sessions can be arranged through Balmaya Gallery
- Art Galleries
- Balmaya Gallery (Wilkinson Road) - showcases local Sierra Leonean art
- Historic Buildings
- State House (Hill Station) and Law Courts Building
- Local Heritage
- Krio culture and heritage, particularly the ‘board house’ architecture
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (Western Area Peninsula Forest)
- National Parks Nearby
- Outamba-Kilimi National Park (requires multi-day trip inland)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Lumley Beach Road (early morning walk/run) and Leicester Peak
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Leicester Peak for a panoramic view of the entire city and harbor
- Birdwatching Locations
- Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary (5 hours away)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Bureh Beach and Tokeh Beach
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (Wilkinson Road) and FedEx/Redcoat
- Tech Repair Services
- Orange/Africell service centers and independent shops at Garrison Street
- Table Tennis Spots
- YMCA (Fort Street) and various sports clubs
- Language Classes
- Krio language lessons through private tutors or British Council referrals
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Sierra Leone Library Board (near Cotton Tree)
- Community Centers
- The British Council (Tower Hill) - a hub for digital nomads and students
- Gaming Lounges
- Limited; mostly private game rooms in Aberdeen
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Lagoonda Casino (Aberdeen)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,200 per m² ($48,000 for 40 m²); sales usually in USD for expats
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $700 per m² ($28,000 for 40 m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² ($66,000 for 60 m²)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $600 per m² ($36,000 for 60 m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² ($80,000 for 80 m²)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $550 per m² ($44,000 for 80 m²)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Source-based for non-residents; residency-based for those present 183+ days
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30% for annual income exceeding 100,000 SLE
- VAT
- 15% (Goods and Services Tax - GST)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None
- Property Tax
- Yes, local council rates based on assessment of property value
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp duty approx. 12% on property transfer
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa; standard business/tourist visa regulations apply