Request a gov.sl Domain

The .gov.sl domain is the official digital identity of the Government of Sierra Leone. It is reserved exclusively for ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), statutory bodies, commissions, and government-sanctioned projects and programmes.

Owning a .gov.sl domain assures citizens and partners that the website is authentic, secure, and directly linked to government. It also protects institutions from impersonation, improves public trust, and aligns with Sierra Leone’s national digital transformation agenda.

This page provides guidelines and requirements you should review before applying through the online request form.

Who Can Apply (Eligibility)

You are eligible to apply for a .gov.sl domain if you are:

Private sector organizations, NGOs, or individuals are not eligible unless a formal approval is given by the Government of Sierra Leone and tied to a supervising MDA.

What You’ll Need Before Applying (Requirements)

To ensure your application is processed quickly, please prepare the following in advance:

Authorization Letter – An official letter on institutional letterhead, signed by the Head of Institution (Minister, Director-General, or equivalent), authorizing the request for a domain.
Institution Details – Full legal name of your institution, its mandate, and current contact information.
Designated Contact Person – A nominated officer who will serve as the administrative contact for the domain. This person will handle future requests, updates, or renewals.
Proposed Domain Name – A name that clearly reflects your institution’s mandate, is short and professional, and follows the guidelines below.
Basic Website Plan – Even if your website is not yet ready, you should be able to indicate whether you will host with the Ministry or externally, and what your expected go-live date will be.

Best Practices

When selecting a domain name, follow these principles:

Keep it official: Use your ministry or agency’s full name or well-recognized abbreviation (e.g., health.gov.sl, natca.gov.sl).
Use subdomains where needed: For programmes or units, use subdomains under the parent MDA (e.g., digitalschools.micti.gov.sl).
Avoid misuse: Personal names, political slogans, brand-like terms, or commercial words are not permitted.
Stay clear and simple: Keep your domain short, easy to spell, and directly linked to your mandate.

After Approval: What Your Website Should Display

Once your .gov.sl domain has been approved and activated, your institution is expected to maintain an active and professional web presence. At minimum, your website should show:

About the Institution: A clear description of your mandate, leadership, and functions.
Contact Information: Updated phone numbers, emails, and physical office address.
News & Updates: Announcements, press releases, or current information relevant to citizens and stakeholders.
Services or Programmes: Information on services your institution provides and how the public can access them.
Accessibility & Reliability: Content should be accessible to all users, mobile-friendly, and updated regularly.