Sierra Leone Retained on Tier 2 in 2026 US Trafficking Report

Sierra Leone has remained on Tier 2 in the United States Department of State’s 2026 Trafficking in Persons Report, which acknowledged increased government efforts while finding that the country had not fully met the minimum standards required to eliminate human trafficking.

The assessment recorded growth in investigations, prosecutions, victim identification and assistance compared with the previous reporting period. However, it also highlighted inadequate funding, concerns about corruption and suspected official complicity, weak protection services and continued exploitation of vulnerable Sierra Leoneans.

Investigations rose, convictions fell

According to the report, trafficking investigations increased from 13 to 39 cases, while prosecutions rose from 20 to 39 suspects. Convictions, however, fell from four to two. The Government did not provide sentencing information for those convicted.

Sierra Leone’s Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act of 2022 criminalizes sex trafficking and forced labour and provides for a minimum sentence of 25 years’ imprisonment for trafficking offenders. The report said some allegations were instead investigated as fraud or labour violations, which can result in charges carrying lighter penalties than those prescribed under anti-trafficking legislation.

The State Department also identified limited resources, insufficient training and gaps in understanding trafficking laws as obstacles to effective enforcement. Specialized investigators and judges are unavailable in several districts. It further reported that no Government officials were reportedly investigated or prosecuted for trafficking-related offences during the period assessed.

More victims identified, but support remains limited

Authorities identified 72 trafficking victims, up from 57 in the previous reporting period. The group comprised 37 women, four men, 18 boys and 13 girls. The Government reported providing support to all 72 victims, compared with no victims reportedly assisted during the preceding period.

Despite that progress, the report found victim-protection services inadequate in areas including safe accommodation, medical treatment, counselling, legal representation and rehabilitation. The Government does not operate dedicated shelters for trafficking survivors and relies heavily on non-governmental organizations.

Two organizations provide shelter facilities primarily for women and children, leaving male survivors with limited access to suitable accommodation and specialized assistance. Victims also received no court-ordered restitution following criminal convictions.

The Government partnered with the Economic Community of West African States to support services delivered through the two organizations, providing NLe829,500, approximately US$35,000.

Prevention funding declined

Government funding for prevention dropped from NLe245,700, approximately US$10,876, in the previous reporting period to NLe90,000, approximately US$3,797, during the current period.

The Government nevertheless continued implementing its 2024–2028 National Action Plan against human trafficking and maintained an interagency task force. It also revised the National Referral Mechanism, established a trafficking survivors’ network and developed operational procedures intended to improve shelter standards nationwide.

Authorities resumed the toll-free anti-trafficking hotline. Two telecommunications companies partnered with the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Agency to distribute SIM cards intended to strengthen reporting mechanisms. Public-awareness activities were also carried out with the Sierra Leone Football Association.

Risks at home and abroad

The report said traffickers recruit people from rural communities and move them to urban centres and mining areas for forced labour, sexual exploitation and other abusive conditions. Children face risks in agriculture, artisanal mining, fishing, domestic servitude, begging, quarrying, ceramics production and petty trading.

Sierra Leoneans travelling to Guinea, Mauritania, Europe and Middle Eastern countries including Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon and Oman reportedly face forced labour and sexual trafficking. The report also described allegations that young African women, including Sierra Leoneans, were recruited through deceptive vocational training programmes before being placed in military drone production facilities in Russia.

It identified economic hardship, unemployment, limited opportunities, homelessness, forced marriages, natural disasters and broader economic vulnerability as factors increasing trafficking risks. Social media is also used to advertise fraudulent jobs and attractive salaries.