The Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) has held a strategic meeting with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) to review progress on a new digital system designed to improve financial services for military personnel.
The meeting focused on the development of the Armed Forces Endowment and Loan Scheme (AFELS) digital platform, which is expected to modernize how financial support services are managed within the armed forces.
The session brought together Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed F. D. Aruna, Acting Director of AFELS, Colonel Bangalie Marrah, Chief of Staff of Defence Enterprise Services, and other key stakeholders. Officials discussed the current progress of the system, reviewed its performance, and shared feedback to improve its functionality before full implementation.
According to DSTI, the AFELS digital system will help to digitize important processes such as loan applications, approvals, staff administration, and financial reporting. The new platform is expected to reduce manual paperwork, improve efficiency, and strengthen transparency in the management of financial services for armed forces personnel.
During the meeting, stakeholders suggested improvements in areas including data validation, payment integration, staff management workflow, and reporting tools. These recommendations will guide the next stage of development.
Officials agreed that the system will be introduced in phases, starting with a pilot program focused on the loan approval process. This will allow the team to test the system in real time and make necessary adjustments before expanding it to cover all AFELS operations.
DSTI said it will continue to work closely with the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces to deliver practical digital solutions that will improve service delivery and strengthen institutional systems within the military.
