Is it safe to withdraw cash in Sierra Leone or not?
Freetown felt friendly, but machines can be isolated after dark. One traveler I met had his card stuck in an ATM with no helpline number on display. Stick to ATMs attached to actual bank branches whenever possible.
Most ATMs I saw in Bo and Kenema were either offline or out of service by evening. Even locals plan their cash needs earlier in the day. Safety wasn’t my issue - access and machine reliability were.
I tried using an ATM near Lumley Beach after dark, but the power cut mid-transaction. It restarted, but the experience made me wary. I'd suggest withdrawing in daylight when foot traffic and staff are around.
In Freetown, I withdrew cash from an Ecobank ATM near Wilkinson Road around 8:30 PM. It was near a busy area with restaurants, so it felt alright. That said, ATM safety at night in Sierra Leone really depends on the area - many locals avoid late withdrawals.