Sierra Leone to digitize passport services and expand diaspora access

The Sierra Leone Immigration Department has unveiled a 14-month reform plan aimed at modernizing service delivery and increasing accountability. Presented to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Morie Lengor, the 2026–2027 work plan focuses on transitioning from paper-based processing to a digital online passport application system.

Key objectives include revising the Immigration Act and expanding passport services to Sierra Leoneans living abroad. The department intends to establish application services through diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom, United States, Europe, Africa, Australia, and parts of Asia, with a target launch date of March 2027.

To facilitate the transition, the department is partnering with Africell to provide free Wi-Fi, document-scanning services, and application assistance at specific centers. The implementation timeline expects regulations to be drafted by late September 2026, with presidential assent anticipated in November and a nationwide rollout of online applications scheduled for December 2026.