Unlinked SIMs Face November Deactivation
Mobile phone subscribers in Sierra Leone face imminent disconnection if their SIM cards are not linked to a National Identification Number (NIN) by November 1, 2026, according to a directive from the National Communications Authority (NatCA).
In a public statement issued on October 20, the regulatory body instructed all mobile network operators and mobile money service providers to enforce deactivations for non-compliant users once the deadline passes.
The mandatory linking mandate is designed to improve national identity verification systems, enhance public security, and mitigate financial fraud across telecommunication channels.
To verify status, subscribers across all active networks can dial *999#. NatCA has outlined specific guidance for customers on each network to complete registration:
Orange and Africell users: Dial *999# and follow prompt instructions to submit their NIN and birth year.
QCell users: Submit a photograph of an updated National ID card displaying the NIN via designated WhatsApp support channels or visit an authorized service center in person.
Unregistered individuals without a NIN are advised to report to the nearest National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) center immediately to secure identification prior to the deactivation date.
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