By: Fayia Jr. Moseray
In a significant move to ensure the proper registration of mobile subscribers across Sierra Leone, the National Telecommunications Authority (NATCA) and the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with mobile network operators on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. This collaboration is aimed at meeting the requirements of a deadline set for October 31, 2025, by NATCA.
The MoU signing event, held in Freetown, seeks to align the data of mobile subscribers with their National Identification Numbers (NINs), ensuring all individuals using mobile services in the country are properly registered in a unified national database. This step is part of the authorities’ effort to curb the potential misuse of SIM cards by fraudulent users.
According to the National Telecommunications Authority (NATCA), the goal of this initiative is to create a comprehensive database of subscribers, which will help in reducing SIM card misuse and enhancing security. The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) emphasized during the signing ceremony that both nationals and non-nationals who use services from mobile operators such as Orange, Africell, and Qcell must ensure that their SIM cards are linked to their NINs.
This move follows a directive issued by NATCA in July 2025, which required all Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to ensure that subscribers link their SIM cards to their valid NINs. The deadline for compliance is set for October 31, 2025, with service interruptions for non-compliant users beginning on October 1, 2025.
Representatives from the mobile companies have expressed their commitment to ensuring that customers adhere to this directive. Orange Sierra Leone, for example, has already begun informing their subscribers about the importance of registering their SIM cards by linking them to their NINs before the October deadline. They have provided a special mobile number through which customers can send their information for registration.
Africell Sierra Leone also welcomed the initiative, describing it as a step in the right direction. A company representative mentioned that they have urged their customers to act quickly and comply with the directive to avoid any service disruption. They also reported that a significant portion of their subscribers had already completed the registration process.
Qcell, on the other hand, highlighted that over 50% of their subscribers have already linked their SIM cards to their NINs, as per the NATCA directive. They emphasized their ongoing efforts to ensure that the remaining subscribers follow suit before the deadline.
All three mobile companies have reiterated the consequences of failing to comply with the registration requirement. They warned that any subscriber who does not link their SIM card with their NIN by the end of October will face deactivation of their SIM cards. Reactivation will be difficult and involve stringent procedures.
As the October 31 deadline approaches, the importance of linking SIM cards with National Identification Numbers cannot be overstated. The National Telecommunications Authority has made it clear that this initiative is a critical step in safeguarding the integrity of mobile services in Sierra Leone and preventing fraudulent activities.
In conclusion, mobile subscribers across Sierra Leone, both nationals and non-nationals, are urged to comply with the SIM-NIN linkage requirement before the looming deadline to avoid any inconvenience or loss of service.