Mandatory NIN Use In Banking… Bank Governor Extends Deadline To 31st December

By Abdul Rahman Bah

The Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, Ibrahim L. Stevens, has officially announced December 31, 2025, as the final deadline for all commercial banks and financial institutions to fully enforce the use of the National Identification Number (NIN) for every banking transaction. The directive, issued on September 2, 2025, is part of the government’s nationwide campaign to make NIN registration a key requirement across essential sectors, including finance, telecommunications, and public services.

According to the Central Bank, this decision marks a major step toward improving identity management in Sierra Leone’s financial system. From January 1, 2026, customers will no longer be able to open accounts, make deposits or withdrawals, request loans, or carry out money transfers without presenting a valid NIN issued by the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA). The Bank says this measure will help strengthen identity verification, improve Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance, and reduce financial crimes such as money laundering, identity theft, and fraudulent transactions.

Governor Stevens stressed that financial institutions must intensify their public awareness campaigns, urging customers to register early to avoid last-minute congestion at NIN centers. Many banks have already started sensitization drives through SMS messages, radio programs, posters, and in-branch announcements, reminding customers of the upcoming deadline and providing guidance on where and how to register.

The move is also expected to improve record-keeping across the sector. Banking officials have welcomed the directive, noting that accurate and unique customer identification will minimize duplicate accounts, strengthen the credit reference system, and make it easier for regulators to track suspicious activities.

Despite the anticipated benefits, the rollout faces significant challenges. Citizens across the country have raised concerns about the lengthy queues, slow registration processes, and frequent technical breakdowns at NCRA centers. Rural residents, people with disabilities, and those with limited literacy are experiencing greater difficulties in accessing registration services, raising fears that many may be excluded from the formal banking system if these issues are not addressed before the deadline.

The government, in collaboration with the NCRA and development partners, is working to expand registration centers and deploy more mobile teams to hard-to-reach areas. The Bank of Sierra Leone has assured the public that it will closely monitor the implementation process and coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure a smooth transition. Governor Stevens reiterated that the NIN initiative is a critical step in Sierra Leone’s digital transformation agenda and its effort to build a safer, more transparent, and inclusive financial sector.