The official language is English (but only spoken by an literate minority); Krio (Creole), Malinké, Mende (South), Temne and other native languages serve as colloquial languages.
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
04/15/2022 Good Friday
04/18/2022 easter monday
04/27/2022 Independence Day
05/01/2022 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
07/09/2022 Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
10/09/2022 Milad un Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad)
The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Eid al-Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be imported duty-free into Sierra Leone: 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco; 1 liter of alcoholic beverages. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
English is the most common in business circles. Scheduling appointments and business cards are common, punctuality is expected. September to June are the best months for business travel. Business hours: Mon-Fri 08.00-12.00/12.30 and 14.00-16.30/17.00.
Business contacts
Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Lamina Sankoh Street, Freetown Tel: (022) 22 63 05.
Communication
Phone
Autodial Long Distance Service.
Mobile phone
GSM 900. Network operators are Celtel (SL) Ltd. (Internet: www.sl.celtel.com/en/index.html or www.msi-cellular.com), Millicom (Internet: www.buzzsl.com) and LINTEL (Sierra Leone) Ltd. The transmit/receive area for cellular is limited to the cities of Blama, Bo, Freetown, Kenema, Kono, Lungi, Magbruka, Makali, Makeni, Masingbi, Matotoka, Mile 91, Moyamba, Njala, Tiama, Yamandu and their surroundings. Roaming contracts exist with telephone companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, among others.
Internet
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, Internet provider is Sierra Tel Internet (Internet: www.sti.net). There is an internet café in Freetown.
Post office
Airmail shipments to Europe take about 5 days.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
