Sierra Leone’s National Telecommunications Communications (NATCOM/NatCA) has directed all Mobile Network Operators (MNOS) in the country to integrate every subscriber mobile number to the National Identification Number (NIN) issued by National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA).

NATCOM gave this directive in a public notice issued today, Thursday 5 October 2022.

Read the full notice below:

“The public is hereby informed that NATCOM/NatCA has directed Mobile Network Operators (MNOS) to integrate every subscriber mobile number to the National Identification Number (NIN) issued by National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA).

After several engagements with MNOS and NCRA, a technical implementation committee for the NIN-SIM integration has been created.

This public notice serves to prepare the mind of subscribers for the NIN-SIM integration.

On completion of the Applications Programming Interface (API), a two week time line will be given to finish the integration.

After this set time, subscribers whose phone numbers have not been integrated to their NIN will be deactivated on all networks.

Subscribers are therefore encouraged to register/re-register their SIM cards using their NIN in order not to lose the opportunity to make calls, access the internet and do other digital transactions.

While NATCOM/NatCA continues to provide the enabling environment to deepen broadband penetration and strengthening connectivity in voice and data, MNOS are urged to fully comply.”