Regional Conference on Private Military and Security Companies, Addis Ababa, 11-12 Nov 2015

1. Background paper: The Diversity of the
Private Security Industry in Sub-Saharan
Africa
Regional Conference on Private Military and Security
Companies, Addis Ababa, 11-12 Nov 2015
Dr. Tessa Diphoorn
Post-doctoral researcher, University of Amsterdam
T.G.Diphoorn@uva.nl

2. The PMSCindustry
Some facts:
1. Global value of approximately USD 100-165 billion (Small
Arms Survey, 2011).
2. Annual growth rates between 7-8 per cent (Abrahamsen and
Williams, 2011).
3. Industry employs between 19.5 and 25.5 million people
worldwide (Small Arms Survey, 2011).

3. The PMSCindustry in Africa
Country Year Private security providers Private security personnel
Angola 2004 307 35,715
DRC 2008 35-45 25,000
Ivory Coast 2009 300 50,000
Kenya 2007 2000 400,000
Nigeria 2005 1500-2000 100,000
Senegal 2008 150 25-35,000
Sierra Leone 2005 30 3000
South Africa 2014 8144 487,058
Uganda 2008 58 17,000

4. Case 1: SouthSudan
1. No registry of amount of companies, unreliable data.
2. Two main issues:
1. PMSC industry tied to international community.
1. 2012: South Sudan received US$865 million in
international humanitarian assistance, world’s
second largest recipient.
2. Influencing socio-economic inequalities.
2. Local ownership/ties to government forces in insecure
environment.

5. Case 2: Kenya
1. Major growth since Westgate mall attack in September
2013.
2. 2000 companies and 400,000 officers
3. Lack of state regulation! Reasons given:
1. New constitution/other priorities.
2. Lack of political will.
3. Labour conditions.
4. Arming of security personnel.
4. Self-regulation : KSIA and PSIA

6. Case 3: SouthAfrica
1. Largest on the continent
2. Extensive regulation:
1. Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA)
2. Department of Labor
3. Safety and Security Sector Education and Training
Authority (SASSETA)
4. Self-regulation associations
3. “Partnership policing”: no national framework, ad hoc
initiatives