This species is found in a range of habitats, from lowland tropical moist forest, through gallery forest and moist savanna (Happold 1987). It can be found in remnant forest patches in more open woodland (Grubb et al. 1998). During the day this species roosts, usually singly, in fallen logs and hollow cavities of trees, especially those with an opening close to the ground (Rosevear 1965; Happold 1987). It is unclear whether the species can persist in more degraded habitats.

This African bat is widely distributed over much of West and Central Africa. It ranges from Sierra Leone in the west, through West Africa and the Congo Basin to western Uganda, southern Sudan, western Kenya, northern Tanzania and Burundi. It is distributed as far south as southern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and northern Angola. It is typically a lowland species.

In view of the species wide range, it is presumably present in some protected areas. Further studies are needed into the distribution and threats to this species.