FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 4th 2023

Sierra Leone Launches National Payment Switch in Major Leap for Financial Inclusion
Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Bank of Sierra Leone, has launched the National Payment Switch, marking a historic advancement in the country’s digital financial infrastructure. Unveiled at a formal event on April 29, 2023, this new platform lays the foundation for a seamless, interoperable payments ecosystem—connecting commercial banks, mobile money operators, microfinance institutions, and fintechs for the first time in a unified network.
From Aspirations to Execution
The National Payment Switch is a flagship achievement under the Sierra Leone Financial Inclusion Project (SLFIP), a World Bank–financed initiative designed to increase access to financial services and improve interoperability across the financial system. For over a decade, efforts to establish a national switch were hindered by fragmented leadership, failed procurements, and limited technical readiness.
That narrative changed under the coordinated leadership of Mr. Mohamed Lamin Wurie, National Coordinator for SLFIP, whose oversight helped translate years of stalled ambition into operational delivery.
“This is more than a technology rollout—it’s about building a trustworthy, inclusive financial system that serves the people of Sierra Leone,” said Mr. Wurie.

A Coordinator’s Perspective: Leading Through Complexity
Reflecting on the journey, Mr. Wurie described the project as “one of the most complex yet rewarding engagements” of his career. His role involved coordinating across multiple institutions, managing international technical consultants, ensuring alignment with global standards, and building confidence among both public and private sector stakeholders.
Key successes under his coordination included:
• Establishing a functioning multi-stakeholder governance framework (
• Managing the procurement and deployment of national switch hardware and software after two previous failed attempts by other projects.
• Aligning commercial banks and mobile money providers around a shared testing and rollout timeline.
• Ensuring strong collaboration with the World Bank and compliance with international standards on payment systems.

Yet the journey was not without challenges.
Mr. Wurie highlighted several obstacles:
• Overcoming skepticism from institutions that had seen prior switch efforts falter.
• Navigating pandemic-era delays and global supply chain constraints.
• Managing expectations while ensuring technical integrity and interoperability.
• Driving sustained engagement from leadership across changing institutional structures.
“The success of this project demonstrates what’s possible when coordination, political will, and technical focus come together. It took not only financial resources but consistent commitment, inclusive dialogue, and accountability,” Mr. Wurie noted.

What the Switch Means for Sierra Leone
With the launch of the switch’s first phase, Sierra Leoneans can now use debit and credit cards across any participating bank’s ATM or POS terminal. The upcoming Phase 2—the Instant Payment System (IPS)—will enable 24/7 real-time transfers between banks and mobile wallets, vastly improving the speed, convenience, and reach of digital transactions.
“This platform creates opportunity for every Sierra Leonean, regardless of who they bank with—or whether they previously had access to digital payments at all,” said Deputy Governor Ibrahim Stevens.
According to World Bank officials, the system aligns with global initiatives under the FASTT (Frictionless, Affordable, Safe, Timely Transactions) framework, placing Sierra Leone among a growing list of countries implementing modern, inclusive payment systems.

A Broader Vision of Inclusion
The National Payment Switch is expected to:
• Reduce reliance on cash and informal channels
• Improve the transparency of government and social payments
• Create efficiencies for small merchants and MSMEs
• Empower rural and low-income users to access digital finance on equal footing
Industry leaders have already responded positively. “This is a major step toward formalizing payments and expanding access,” said the Sierra Leone Association of Commercial Banks. Orange Money and other mobile providers have echoed this sentiment, noting the expected boost in user trust and financial literacy.

Looking Forward
As implementation of Phase 2 progresses in the months ahead, Mr. Wurie and the SLFIP team continue to guide interoperability testing, cybersecurity readiness, and training programs for service providers and end users.
The National Payment Switch has moved from being a concept on paper to a working platform—connecting institutions, digitizing value chains, and unlocking new paths for inclusive economic growth.
“This moment belongs to every Sierra Leonean. It is proof that long-term reform, however complex, can succeed with focused leadership and shared vision,” Mr. Wurie concluded.