By SAHR ERIC DUMBAR MATTURI
CEO TpGROUP Tamba S. Lamin
The private-sector remains key to Economic growth and national development. With this in mind a major private-sector investment is set to strengthen Sierra Leone’s tourism and real estate sectors, as TpGROUP (SL) Limited prepares to introduce its Eco-Living Oasis, a sustainable residential and tourism development in Kent, Western Area Rural District.
The development combines property ownership, eco-friendly accommodation, renewable energy and tourism services, offering a distinctive investment model designed to attract local and international visitors while creating economic opportunities for the surrounding communities.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kent on Saturday, 7th November 2026, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TpGROUP, Tamba S. Lamin, said the project represents five years of investment in sustainable construction, tourism and real estate, with a vision to introduce a different approach to property development in Sierra Leone.
Lamin explained that the development is neither strictly a hotel nor a resort, but a combination of both, with a residential estate concept that allows visitors to enjoy accommodation while providing prospective investors with opportunities to purchase properties.
“We are not a hotel. We are somewhere in between a hotel and a resort. You can stay for a week, a month or a year, and if you like the property, you can take the next step and purchase it,” he explained.
The estate comprises 16 homes, including 10 detached houses and six semi-detached units, with 31 rooms across the development. Twelve fully furnished properties are currently available for purchase, comprising two detached homes, six semi-detached apartments and four chalets. Prices are available upon request.
According to Lamin, the company deliberately developed different housing models to test construction methods, materials and costs, enabling it to identify options suitable for different categories of investors. The initiative also demonstrates how locally sourced materials can support quality and environmentally responsible property development.
The choice of Kent as the location, he said, was informed by its historical importance, particularly its connection to Sierra Leone’s history and the transatlantic slave trade.
The investment originated from a 2019 homecoming organised by the company’s tourism arm, Fambul Tik Tours, which brought approximately 62 members of the Gullah Geechee community from the United States to reconnect with their ancestral roots in Sierra Leone. The visit created relationships that later developed into investment partnerships, with some members of the delegation joining the founders in developing the project.
Lamin disclosed that the land was acquired during that historic visit, while construction of the model home began in 2021.
The Eco-Living Oasis is scheduled for its official opening on Saturday, 14 November 2026, marking a significant milestone in the company’s investment journey. The ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by an evening dinner and storytelling programme from 6:30 p.m.
On sustainability, Lamin said the company prioritised environmentally friendly construction, local expertise and the use of indigenous materials. Approximately 95 per cent of the buildings and perimeter fence were constructed without conventional reinforced concrete and iron-rod systems, while Sierra Leonean suppliers and workers were deliberately engaged throughout the project.
The estate is designed to operate entirely on solar energy, with an installed capacity of 85 kilowatts. More than 500 trees have also been planted within the compound, with management expecting the environment to develop into a greener and more natural setting over the coming years.
The development has equally adopted a farm-to-table approach, with approximately 70 per cent of the food served sourced from its own garden and surrounding farms. The initiative is intended to provide fresh meals while creating business opportunities for local farmers and suppliers.
Its facilities include One Rice Restaurant, which accommodates 82 guests and offers mountain views, a swimming pool, children’s playground, 24-hour CCTV surveillance, a business centre, boardroom and event hall. The estate is also approximately a ten-minute walk from the public beach.
Beyond accommodation and property investment, the company is expanding its tourism services through a planned boat connection between Kent and Banana Island. The boat service is scheduled for its official launch on Sunday, 15 November 2026, providing visitors with another means of accessing the island.
Lamin said the company’s vision extends beyond developing an attractive estate, emphasising that the investment must deliver tangible benefits to the people of Kent. Plans include establishing a minimart and pharmacy, working with the community towards school development and supporting efforts to protect and maintain the beach.
He further disclosed that the company is engaging the Ministry responsible for tourism on efforts to revitalise tourism activities on Banana Island, with the aim of strengthening tourism connections between the communities.
The project involves five partners, including lead founder Tamba S. Lamin, co-founder Amadu Massally, who leads Fambul Tik Tours, Chief Engineer and Architect Samuel Faulkner, and two investors from Gullah Geechee families in Georgia and North Carolina in the United States.
The investment operates through three Sierra Leone-registered companies: Kent Eco-Friendly Vacation Estate (SL) Limited, which owns the land and homes; TpESTATE (SL) Limited, responsible for construction and development; and The Eco-Living Oasis (SL) Limited, which manages the estate.
To attract visitors, management has announced a 25 per cent discount on accommodation bookings made between 14 and 24 November for stays scheduled after 24 November. A similar discount is available on estate tours booked by 24 December 2026.
With its combination of property ownership, renewable energy, sustainable construction, historical heritage and community-based tourism, TpGROUP is positioning the Eco-Living Oasis as a new model for private-sector investment and sustainable tourism development in Sierra Leone.
