Money is one of the first questions I get from friends in the diaspora planning a trip home. Do I need Leones? Can I open an account from abroad? Can I get a mortgage back home?
The good news is that it’s easier than you think. Here are six money and banking hacks to know before you travel to Sierra Leone.
1. Open your account remotely
You can open a Sierra Leone Commercial Bank account 100% online from the UK or US. I was in Ghana when I opened mine.
2. FX flexibility
The Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) permits US dollar withdrawals without you having to disclose where you’ll spend the money.
3. Tourism spending
No Leones? No problem! At hotels and resorts licensed under the Tourism Act, you can pay directly in US dollars or British pounds.
4. Instant Payments (IPS)
Move funds between your bank account and your Orange Money or Africell mobile wallet instantly, using just a phone number.
5. Diaspora mortgages
Ecobank Sierra Leone‘s $25 million BII facility offers five-year credit and retail mortgages. You can use it to finance your TAF Salone Home at John Obey.
6. SME grants and loans
If you bank with Vista Bank SL and you own a business or an SME in agriculture, you can access both a loan and a grant. Think of it as a two-for-one!
Your Diaspora Week pass
Ready to put your money to work at home? Don’t land without your access to the premium nine days where business meets culture, including the Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference. Diaspora Week runs December 28 to January 5.
Sort your money before you fly, and you can spend your time home on what really matters.
This post is part of my Diaspora Week series on Instagram. Follow along at @vickieremoe for more tips on coming home.
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