How to send money to Sierra Leone from South Africa with the best ZAR-SLL rate

Comparing providers offering services between South Africa and Sierra Leone, based on your specific needs is the best way to send money with confidence.

Based on the availability of companies for ZAR/SLL

• Western Union Agent is our top pick for sending Rand to Sierra Leone. A transfer of 4,300 Rands to SLL will cost you R129 in fees, and you will receive 4,945,606.74 SLL. The transfer time is minutes - 5 days, but might be a bit longer depending on the day you make the transfer.

• Of the 3 providers compared, MoneyGram Agent is the cheapest option for sending money right now. We found that MoneyGram Agent is 0% cheaper than the second-best option.

• Fastest way to send money to Sierra Leone from South Africa is via PayPal App (P2P Transfer). The transfer time is minutes with PayPal App (P2P Transfer) for a R4,300 transfer, but it will depend on the time, day of the week, and the amount you send.

Our comparison includes 3 companies that provide the ability to send Rand to Sierra Leone.

This ensures you get the best options for transfers to Sierra Leone from South Africa, based on the amount you want to send.

The exchange rate determines the price you’ll pay for Leone when sending Rand to Sierra Leone.

The rate between the Rand and Leone is currently 1,262.8237. MoneyGram Agent offers the best exchange from ZAR-SLL.

The total cost of sending money to Sierra Leone from South Africa is a mix of the mid-market, exchange rates and transfer fees.

• The Mid-Market and Exchange Rates: The mid-market for ZAR-SLL is 1,262.8237 SLL per Rand.

• Fees: When sending money there may be additional fees. MoneyGram Agent offers the lowest fee of the 3 providers tested, costing justs 172 ZAR per transfer.

• Amount Received: When comparing providers, the best measure is the amount of Leone eventually received in Sierra Leone.

This number should allow you to determine if you are getting a good deal. A higher amount of money received in Sierra Leone, means a better overall cost of sending money from South Africa.

Sending money via a bank transfer is the recommended option for sending money from South Africa to Sierra Leone.

Here are the popular ways to send money from South Africa to Sierra Leone:

Bank transfers

Bank transfers are often the best payment method for money transfers from South Africa to Sierra Leone.

A money transfer company like MoneyGram Agent offer bank transfers between South Africa and Sierra Leone with lower fees and better exchange rates than you would get from a traditional bank. 


Debit and prepaid cards

Sending money from South Africa to Sierra Leone with a debit or a prepaid card is very simple with Western Union Agent.


Western Union Agent is a leader in debit card payments for transfers from South Africa to Sierra Leone, competing among a total of 3 active money transfer companies on this route.

Credit cards

Not many money transfer companies offer direct credit card deposits, because it is more expensive for everyone.

We recommend using a bank transfer or a debit card transfer if you can; otherwise, make a quick comparison to find the latest deal.

Ensuring you fully understand regulations in South Africa and Sierra Leone will aid in keeping your money safe.

Our directory of worldwide financial regulators contains details on regulation for sending money between South Africa and Sierra Leone.

Some services between South Africa and Sierra Leone have minimum or maximum thresholds on how much you can transfer. This is applies when receiving money in Sierra Leone as well.

Companies will offer different rates and fees for different transfer amounts. For regular transfers to Sierra Leone, use Western Union Agent. The combination of rates and fees when sending from South Africa to Sierra Leone is the most competitive, even at larger amounts.

Also, always check with the recipient and understand any declarations needed on large amounts of money leaving South Africa, or entering Sierra Leone. Mis-understanding these could result in a slower, or even failed, transfer.

There are different ways to receive Leone in Sierra Leone. This includes a direct bank deposit, cash pickup, a mobile wallet or receiving money into a multi-currency account.

Not all providers serving transfers from South Africa to Sierra Leone will offer every method for incoming Leone, so it’s best to check ahead of time.

One of the more common ways to transfer from South Africa into Leone is directly into a bank account. Western Union Agent is the best company for bank transfers between South Africa and Sierra Leone.

And if you need cash right away, check if cash pickup is an option for transfers between South Africa and Sierra Leone.

Mobile wallet services and payment apps like PayPal, Xoom, and CashApp are popular too, but they come with more limitations and higher costs compared to money transfer providers like MoneyGram Agent.

When signing up to and sending Rand to Sierra Leone, through a money transfer company, you will have to verify your ID.

The precise documents you need will vary and in some cases you will need more than one.

For the most part however, in South Africa this will be a government issued ID such as a passport or driver's license. In Sierra Leone it will be similar, although this should only be needed if you are opening a new account in Sierra Leone, or collecting in cash. Sending to an existing bank account in Sierra Leone shouldn’t require any additional ID checks.

Large transactions between South Africa and Sierra Leone, are subject to additional checks. A provider may ask you for proof of address or may want to carry out a proof of funds check.

One of the reasons Western Union Agent has scored so highly for transfers to Sierra Leone is their easy sign up process in South Africa.

When sending large amounts of money between South Africa and Sierra Leone there will potentially be a tax declaration to consider.

Some transfers into Leone may need to be reported to tax authorities in Sierra Leone, particularly where inheritance or property purchases are involved.

Tax limits and personal allowances will change in Sierra Leone based on age, income and a few other elements. When in doubt, please contact a tax professional in South Africa or Sierra Leone to discuss your personal circumstances.