Investment property: Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is one of the least obvious markets for a foreign investor, and it deserves a straight answer.
Foreigners cannot own land freehold - only long-term leases are available, and land law was for decades a mix of colonial statutes and customary rules; the 2022 reform started to bring order, but practice is still taking shape. There is effectively no organized investment property market with transparent pricing and reliable title registration, and most activity is concentrated in Freetown. There are no residency or citizenship by real estate programs, so this market only makes sense if you have a specific business interest in the country, not as a capital preservation tool.
We start by honestly assessing whether entering this market fits your goal at all. If it does, we source the property, run deep due diligence on land rights and the history of the plot - in Sierra Leone this is the single most critical step - manage the transaction with our locally licensed partners and help structure holding through a long-term lease or a local company. Immigration status is handled separately from the purchase, because real estate is not an immigration tool here.
How land rights work
| Territory | What a foreigner can get |
|---|---|
| Freetown and the Western Area | the only area where the law recognises freehold; a foreigner can take a long lease |
| Provinces, customary land | a lease from the community or owning family of no more than 50 years, renewable for no more than 21 years, under the Customary Land Rights Act 2022 |
The 2022 Act requires the consent of all co-owners of customary land, including women, and sets up national and district land commissions. For a buyer this means a contract signed by a single elder or one family member can be challenged.
We will calculate online the full purchase cost for your budget: taxes, fees and transaction costs.
Taxes on property income
| Payment | Rate |
|---|---|
| Withholding tax on rent | 15% from 1 January 2026, previously 10%; withheld by the tenant |
| Withholding tax on interest | 15% for residents, 20% for non-residents from 2026 |
| Withholding tax on dividends from a local holding company to a non-resident | 20% from 2026 |
| Corporate tax of a local holding company | 30% from 2026 |
What we check before the deposit
- The chain of rights to the plot: who owns it by statute or customary law, and whether all co-owners consent.
- The survey plan and whether it matches the actual boundaries.
- Registration of the deed in the state register of instruments.
- Disputes, charges and claims by neighbours and the community.
- Lease term and renewal: no more than 50 years plus 21.
Local currency amounts use the Bank of Sierra Leone rate: in early October 2026 one dollar was about NLe 22.9.
What we do
- Property shortlist for your investment goal
- Legal due diligence on the property
- End-to-end transaction support
- Ownership structuring (company, trust)
- Property management and letting
See also
Business account · Personal account · All country programs
FAQ
Can a foreigner buy property in Sierra Leone?
Does buying property in Sierra Leone grant a residence permit?
Where do I start if I am interested in property in Sierra Leone?
For how long can a foreigner lease land in Sierra Leone?
What tax applies to rent in Sierra Leone?
Why does the whole owning family need to consent?
Does a land lease have to be registered?
Where does Sierra Leone law recognise freehold?
Can property in Sierra Leone be held through a local company?
Investing in property in Sierra Leone?
We explain on what rights land and property in Sierra Leone can be held without local citizenship, shortlist options and review the documents. Every country is in the searchable catalogue.
The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.
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