True-cost checker
The headline fee is only part of the cost. Enter what each provider quotes you for the same amount and see what you really lose against the latest daily mid-market rate. Nothing you type leaves your device.
Total cost = fee on top + the leones lost against the mid-market rate, shown as a percentage of the amount sent. Example rows are illustrative, not real quotes. Mid-market rates come from open.er-api.com and are indicative.
What you need from the recipient
- The full account name exactly as the bank holds it.
- The account number and bank name, plus the branch where relevant.
- The bank’s SWIFT/BIC code for international wires. Your sending provider will tell you which format it needs.
Why bank transfers cost more than they look
- Your own bank may charge a fixed fee for an international wire.
- An intermediary bank can deduct a further charge on the way.
- The receiving bank may add its own fee and convert at its own rate.
- Ask for the amount in leones the account will receive and compare it with a specialist money transfer app.
When it is the better option
- Large one-off sums where a fixed fee is a small share of the total.
- Payments to schools, hospitals, landlords and businesses that want a bank reference.
- Business-to-business payments, where the recipient needs an invoice trail.
Compare the real cost first
Whatever the payout method, the same rule applies: ask each provider for the leones your recipient will receive for the same amount, then use the checker above to see the total cost.
Other payout methods
Fastest in most cases
a Sierra Leone Mobile Money Wallet.
No bank or phone wallet needed
Cash Pickup Money to Sierra Leone.
Send from your country
From the United Kingdom
Send GBP to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From the United States
Send USD to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From Canada
Send CAD to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From Germany
Send EUR to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From the Netherlands
Send EUR to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From Australia
Send AUD to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From Ireland
Send EUR to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From the United Arab Emirates
Send AED to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
From India
Send INR to Sierra Leone: funding, regulator and what to compare.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a bank transfer to Sierra Leone take?
From a day to several working days, depending on the banks involved and whether they hold correspondent accounts. Public holidays in either country add delay.
Are bank transfers more expensive than apps?
For small amounts usually yes, because of fixed fees. For large amounts the fixed fee spreads thinly, so a bank wire can be competitive. Always compare the leones received.
← Back to the Sierra Leone money transfer guide
How we work. Globe2Me is not paid by any provider named on this page and does not move money. We rank options by how you can measure their real cost, not by who pays us. If we add affiliate links in future they will be labelled and rankings will not change. Fees, rates and coverage change often: always confirm the final leones amount on the provider’s own checkout before you pay. This page is general information, not financial advice. Last reviewed 2026-10-21.