Idris Elba shares ‘big dreams’ to build futuristic eco-city in Sierra Leone and reveals reason behind innovative plans on the island off coast of Africa
Idris Elba has unveiled plans to transform a remote island off the coast of Sierra Leone, the West African country where his father was born, into an eco-friendly ‘smart city’.
The British star said he wants to turn Sherbro Island into an ‘Afro-dynamic eco-city’ – an urban hub for the whole of Africa that combines sustainability, community and economic growth.
Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP) say the development will take place while preserving the ‘delicate ecosystem’ involving the 230 square kilometer island covered with mangrove forests and an important breeding ground for sea turtles.
Home to just 40,000 people, most of whom work in fishing and rice farming, the actor and DJ hopes to cultivate economic growth and bring prosperity to the former British colony.
The development program has no specific budget but is likely to be in the billions of dollars, with SAP seeking investment and Mr Elba admitting it is a “big dream”.
The development program has no specific budget, but is likely to be in the billions of dollars (artist’s impression)
The British star said he wants to turn Sherbro Island into an “Afro-dynamic eco-city.” Pictured here with his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba
The majority of the island’s 40,000 inhabitants live in Bonthe. The photo shows dilapidated buildings in the area
Idris Elba’s late father Winston was born in Sierra Leone (pictured together in 2011)
“Never in my life did I think I could lay the foundation for a new smart city… I’m not qualified for that,” he told the BBC. “But I’m qualified to dream big.”
What started as a mission to bring tourism to the island, which boasts beautiful white beaches and palm trees, quickly grew into an innovative plan to develop the area in a more sustainable way.
“It’s about self-reliance, it’s about creating an economy that is self-sustaining and has growth potential,” Elba said.
‘I really want to redefine the way Africa is seen… as an aid model. This opportunity is completely different.”
The Luther actor was involved in the project by childhood friend Siaka Stevens, the grandson of the former president of Sierra Leone of the same name, with whom he grew up in London.
Mr. Stevens was looking for development opportunities in his native country, but after bringing Elba on board, the couple quickly realized that a boutique hotel was not the best option.
They decided instead to set up SAP and work to build Sherbro Island City, striking a deal with the Sierra Leone government to develop the island.
President Julius Maada Bio, who hails from Sherbro district, said his government believes the development will make the island “an economic engine for our country and our neighbors.”
Mock-up plans of what the city could look like, with glassy office and residential buildings
An artist’s impression shows pristine lawns and residential buildings in the futuristic city
The actor said the island, which was “once under British rule, is now my canvas for change.”
“As a British man deeply rooted in Africa, I am leading a transformative project on Sherbro Island,” he wrote on X last week.
‘Imagine green energy, groundbreaking innovations and a melting pot in which global talents can flourish. We preserve our heritage while nurturing our future.”
Drawn plans of what the city could look like show glassy buildings, pristine lawns and business and entertainment complexes.
But the current reality of life on the island is a far cry from these artists’ impressions, with many residents living in dilapidated slums with limited infrastructure.
The actor was involved in the project by childhood friend Siaka Stevens (photo left)
A church on Sherbro Island, off the coast of Sierra Leone (left) and locals living on the island, which has a population of approximately 40,000
Only about 28 percent of Sierra Leone’s population has access to electricity and there is currently no electricity grid on the island, but there are hopes that wind farms and a possible ‘micro-grid’ will help boost the island’s growth.
Bosses at Octopus Energy bought into the project, Mr Stevens said, after Mr Elba and his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba met founder Greg Jackson and CEO Zoisa North-Bond at a party.
They said they were “super interested” in Sherbro and signed an agreement in November to build Sierra Leone’s first wind farm on the island.
The British energy supplier, which is working with SAP, said it is also considering turning Sherbro into an “energy island” by installing battery stations that can charge electric vehicles.
In addition to the partnership with Octopus, SAP has signed a contract with a number of partners, including Lloyds, which says it will help ‘support economic growth opportunities’ and advise on insurance and risk.
Octopus Energy, which is working with SAP, said it is exploring the possibility of turning Sherbro into an “energy island”
But huge investments will be needed if the Hollywood star’s dream is to become a reality, and no timeline or specific budget has been set for its completion.
“This is clearly Sierra Leone: it is one of the poorest countries in the world, so investments are not flowing in,” he told CNN.
“I was suddenly in the middle of trying to figure out how to bring this together, and what I did was get the best minds in their class to build a robust investment framework for the international players to look at Africa. in another way,” he continued, “and that is Sherbro Island.”
The 51-year-old added: ‘That’s a very long-winded way of saying this is my retirement plan.’
Proud Sierra Leonean, the late father of actor and musician, Winston, was born in the country before migrating to Britain.
During his first visit to his homeland when he was granted citizenship in 2019, he declared: “The son of the soil is coming back to fertilize the soil.”