RSLAF To Embark on Large-Scale Agricultural Projects and Estate Development
By VOS Writer
The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) is poised for a strategic transformation aimed at boosting economic sustainability, operational efficiency, and personnel welfare. This bold vision, led by Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), includes large-scale agricultural projects, estate development, military-run enterprises, and a significant revamp of the 34 Military Hospital.
In a press briefing, General Bangura revealed that the RSLAF has signed a landmark agreement with Markem Company to launch military-owned businesses. These enterprises will supply essential goods—such as rice, provisions, and household items—to service members at cost-recovery prices.
“These ventures are part of our broader goal to empower the military economically. We want to reduce our dependence on government funding by generating our own revenue,” General Bangura explained.
General Bangura emphasized that the initiatives enjoy the full endorsement of the Commander-in-Chief, President Julius Maada Bio, who remains committed to making the armed forces more self-reliant and resilient.
“The President has given us his full backing and is committed to supporting our vision of making the army self-reliant,” the CDS affirmed.
A key component of the transformation is the operationalization of the newly constructed 34 Military Hospital. The hospital, built under the leadership of President Bio, will function under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, incorporating foreign medical experts to deliver world-class healthcare services.
“The hospital will serve all military personnel and will also be open to the general public. Surgeries previously done abroad will now be conducted here once the facility is fully operational,” General Bangura confirmed.
The RSLAF also plans to construct residential housing units across various regions. These homes will be provided to officers on a loan basis, offering long-term housing security and preventing land disputes with civilians.
“This initiative will allow our officers to become landlords in their own right, while also promoting stability within the military,” he noted.
These sweeping reforms are part of a broader agenda to professionalize the military, enhance economic sustainability, and improve the welfare of service members. General Bangura underscored that the RSLAF is transitioning from dependency to self-reliance and national pride.
“We are shifting from the narrative of constantly seeking funds to one of generating and managing our own resources. This is a new era for RSLAF—one of professionalism, sustainability, and national pride,” he concluded.
These initiatives signal a transformative chapter for Sierra Leone’s military—an institution now focused on resilience, development, and nation-building.
