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A new World Bank report has raised concerns over Sierra Leone’s widening digital and financial divide, linking it directly to the country’s low rates of national ID ownership.
The Global Findex Report, which monitors financial access in over 120 countries, found that while 95% of adults in low- and middle-income nations have government-issued IDs, many in Sierra Leone still lack this critical document. Without a national ID, citizens face barriers to essential services—including banking, mobile money, healthcare, and government assistance.
“ID is more than just a card—it’s a passport to participation in today’s digital economy,” said World Bank officials from its Identification for Development (ID4D) initiative. Yet for many Sierra Leoneans, that passport remains inaccessible.
The report reveals that about half of adults without IDs cite high costs as the primary obstacle, while others struggle with the distance to registration centers. Unlike some nations where missing documents are the main issue, Sierra Leone’s challenges stem from economic and infrastructural gaps—reflecting deeper systemic problems.
The consequences are far-reaching. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, one in three adults without an ID cannot access financial services—a critical issue in Sierra Leone, where digital finance is seen as key to economic inclusion. Without IDs, citizens are excluded from bank accounts, mobile money apps, and formal employment.
However, the report noted an unexpected finding: Sierra Leone reported fewer ID-less adults facing difficulties accessing government services compared to neighboring countries. This could suggest adaptive policies or data gaps, researchers noted.
The World Bank is calling for urgent reforms, including lowering ID costs and expanding registration in rural areas. For Sierra Leone’s push toward a digital future, improving ID access is not just bureaucratic—it’s a foundation for economic growth and equity.
World Bank may God bless you people,we are totally suffering under paopa misdirection government
The same world bank is commending and supporting Hizbollah the paopa government in many areas. The government is trying its best and we appreciate their efforts.
Thank you I
MF and World Bank for slowly dragging us to the end of the world. You are unknowingly
preparing room for the one currency, one ruler and the mark of the beast. The national identity number is a trial representation of the number 666 without which transactions all over the world would be impossible. IMF/World Bank you have tried, but this will only happen in God’s time not when the devil wants to send many people to hell before God’s time.
Repent therefore and come to the Lord our God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
The problem in obtaining the National ID is not financial. It is simply that some citizens are lazy, some are ignorant, while others have some misguided beliefs that the government has some hidden agenda in calling for people to obtain National IDs. Citing the logistical problem of registration sites being far can be reasonable and the only reason which I see as a valid reason. Otherwise, other reasons cited cannot be valid.
Sierra Leone governments don’t have system.
ID card issuing centres must be accessable across every community chiefdom or sections.
There is high financial burden on the people when it comes to documentation issues in sierra Leone every institution is corruptly beating the system.
Passport today is above 5million
we have turn foreigners in our land.
Very sad.
many birth certificates are not in the system
100% correct
Good
Sierra Leoneans are willing and ready to take the National ID card but yet we’re facing numerous challenges in assessing the said Cards. Moreover, NRA offices are not numerous compared to the popular of the country. From the available offices we have in each regional headquarters, the said workers and the security sector are still collecting money (bribe) from citizens, depriving the underprivileged population and more. In addressing this issue for citizens to get easy access to taking the national identification cards, it’s better to establish more officers in the country, stop the workers and the security sector from taking money (bribe) from citizens, treat every citizen equally, extend their work time, or even develop a website the every citizen can pay and get access to their ID card. Finally, I advise every citizen to kindly go out and take their national identification card as it’s mandatory.
The World Bank is warning that Sierra Leone’s digital future is at risk. Why? Because many citizens still don’t have national ID cards. Without an ID, it’s hard to access banking, mobile money, healthcare, or even jobs.
The main reasons? High costs and long distances to registration centers.
The World Bank says it’s time for action—make IDs cheaper and easier to get, especially in rural areas.
For Sierra Leone to grow in the digital age, everyone needs a chance to be included.”_
No ID, No Access.
The World Bank says Sierra Leone’s digital gap is growing because many people don’t have national ID cards. Without one, you can’t use mobile money, open a bank account, or get formal jobs.
They’re urging the government to lower costs and bring registration closer to rural areas.
Digital inclusion starts with ID.