Gurkhas and the private security business in Africa

The report examines the recruitment and deployment of Gurkhas by private security firms in Africa, highlighting a shift from traditional mercenary activity to a broader range of security services. It details the operations of Gurkha Security Guards (GSG), including its work for Lonrho in Mozambique and its controversial training contract in Sierra Leone, as well as the activities of Defence Systems Limited (DSL). The text notes that while Gurkhas are marketed as disciplined and cost-effective, their use has faced resentment in countries like Angola due to a lack of workforce indigenisation. The document concludes that the market for expatriate Gurkha security is declining in favor of joint ventures with local partners.

• The private security sector in Africa evolved during the 1990s from primarily combat-focused mercenary activity to a wider array of services, including VIP bodyguards, security for mineral and oil installations, threat analysis, and military training.
• Gurkha Security Guards (GSG) marketed Nepalese soldiers as a cost-effective, disciplined, and apolitical alternative to European staff, though the company's recruitment process was often marred by corruption, with applicants paying 'gifts' of approximately US $2,000 to secure positions.
• In Mozambique, GSG provided 14 Gurkhas between 1990 and 1993 to manage 120-strong local militias for Lonrho's estates; however, the security success was likely bolstered by Lonrho's secret protection payments of approximately US $5 million to Renamo leadership.
• GSG's involvement in Sierra Leone in 1995 focused on training the Republic of Sierra Leone Military Force in counterinsurgency, but the mission ended in disaster on 24 February 1995, when a scouting party including two European managers and five Gurkhas were killed in a fight with RUF rebels.
• Defence Systems Limited (DSL) experienced failure with Gurkha deployment in Africa, citing cultural incompatibility, and was eventually expelled from Angola on 24 December 1997 for failing to indigenise its workforce and violating laws regarding foreign management of security firms.
• The demand for expatriate Gurkha security in Africa is declining as governments increasingly prioritize 'indigenisation' and local employment to address unemployment crises and social impact.

APA

Vines, A. (n.d.). Gurkhas and the private security business in Africa. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PEACECHAP7.PDF

Chicago

Vines, Alex. Gurkhas and the private security business in Africa. Institute for Security Studies, n.d. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PEACECHAP7.PDF.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Vines |first1=Alex |title=Gurkhas and the private security business in Africa |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PEACECHAP7.PDF |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{vinesndgurkhas, author = {Vines, Alex}, title = {{Gurkhas and the private security business in Africa}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/PEACECHAP7.PDF}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }