Home Consultancy How to register an NGO in Sierra Leone
How to register an NGO in Sierra Leone
To operate as an NGO in Sierra Leone, you register with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, register with the relevant local council, sign agreements with the sector ministries you work with, and meet tax and NASSIT requirements. Registration and renewal are online, and registration is renewed every two years. SLONEC Consultancy manages each step with you.
Who needs to register
- International NGOs starting programmes in Sierra Leone.
- Local NGOs and community organisations moving from informal groups to registered bodies.
- Diaspora charities from the UK that want to run programmes directly in Sierra Leone.
The steps
- Decide the legal form, often a company limited by guarantee registered with the National Investment Board, or a branch of a foreign NGO.
- Register with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development under the National NGO Policy Framework 2023–2028, online through the Ministry’s NGO registration portal. Membership of the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (SLANGO) is required, and national NGOs must have Sierra Leonean residents on their board.
- Register with the local council for each area of operation.
- Sign service level agreements with the sector ministries relevant to your programmes.
- Register with the National Revenue Authority for a TIN, and with NASSIT before employing staff.
- Renew the Ministry registration every two years. Renewal needs a valid NRA tax clearance certificate, NASSIT registration, local council registration, signed service level agreements and the reports listed on the renewal form.
GST relief
Organisations listed in the Third Schedule to the GST Act can be issued a GST Relief Certificate by the National Revenue Authority to use when they buy goods and services. Check whether your organisation qualifies before you budget for GST.
After registration
- Bank account opening for the organisation.
- Work and residence permits for expatriate staff, through the Unified Permit portal.
- Payroll, PAYE and NASSIT for staff, and donor-grant financial management and internal audit through SLONEC Accountancy.
- Recruitment of finance, programme and operations staff.
Coming from the UK
UK charities can contract with SLONEC Advisory Group in London, with delivery by our Freetown team. A UK charity sending funds abroad must still show they are spent on its charitable purposes, so we keep records that support your UK reporting. If you also need a UK charity, see our UK charity set-up page.
Frequently asked questions
Which ministry registers NGOs in Sierra Leone?
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development.
How often must an NGO renew its registration?
Every two years, online.
Does an NGO pay GST?
Organisations listed in the Third Schedule to the GST Act can get a GST Relief Certificate; others pay GST in the normal way.
Do NGOs register with NASSIT?
Yes, before employing staff, and they deduct PAYE and NASSIT from pay.
Can expatriate staff work for an NGO?
Yes, with work and residence permits unless an exemption applies, for example under an agreement with the Government.
Can you register us if we are based abroad?
Yes. We prepare the documents and manage the process from Freetown.
Request a proposal
Tell us about your organisation and programmes and we will send a written proposal.