Africa
Sierra Leone
SLCAA — SLCAR Part 6B/6D, Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
Sierra Leone regulates drones through SLCAA (SLCAR Part 6B/6D regulation, 5 February 2024). Registration and a pilot licence are mandatory; maximum weight 25 kg.
Mandatory registration with a corresponding certificate. Maximum allowed weight 25 kg; between 15 and 25 kg additional conditions/approval are needed, above 15 kg special authorization is needed for construction/modification/inspection/operation.
Remote pilot licence required, minimum age 18, plus a theory exam or equivalent qualification (flight crew licence, ATC licence, military qualification, foreign licence).
Zones to avoid
No-fly zones usually follow the same recurring categories (airports, military sites, protected areas, historic centers). For this country: Operating within 8 hours of consuming alcohol is forbidden, as is operating in any declared prohibited area.
What isn't 100% confirmed yet
Data verified against the official SLCAR Part 6B document (5 February 2024). Distances from crowded areas/property and specific restrictions cited by secondary sources were not confirmed in the official text and are therefore left out.
Verify officially before flying
Source: SLCAA — Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority
Last checked: 2026-08
Go deeper
Why registration exists
Operator registration exists for accountability: if a drone causes an incident or enters a restricted zone, the authority needs to be able to trace it back to whoever was flying it. You usually get an identification number (operator ID) to physically attach to the drone, valid for every drone the same person owns. The cost is often minimal or free, and it applies to visiting tourists too, not just residents. For Sierra Leone, the official reference remains SLCAA — Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority. Mandatory registration with a corresponding certificate. Maximum allowed weight 25 kg; between 15 and 25 kg additional conditions/approval are needed, above 15 kg special authorization is needed for construction/modification/inspection/operation.
How this usually works
In most systems, the pilot license (or "certificate") is a theory exam, often entirely online and free, covering the basics: airspace, safety distances, privacy. It's nothing like a driving license, but it's still a legal requirement. Most systems have more than one level: an entry-level exam for flights further from people and built-up areas, and a more thorough one if you want to fly closer. The certificate is usually valid for a few years before it needs renewing. The exam and certificate are handled by SLCAA — Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority. Remote pilot licence required, minimum age 18, plus a theory exam or equivalent qualification (flight crew licence, ATC licence, military qualification, foreign licence).
Informational content, not legal advice. Zones and rules change constantly: always check the country's official website before every flight.