Home World Idris Elba shares his ‘big dreams’ of building a futuristic eco-city in Sierra Leone and reveals the reasons behind innovative projects on the island off the African coast

Idris Elba shares his ‘big dreams’ of building a futuristic eco-city in Sierra Leone and reveals the reasons behind innovative projects on the island off the African coast

by Alexander
0 comment
The development project does not have a precise budget but is likely to run into billions of dollars (artist's impression)

Idris Elba has revealed 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 make Sherbro Island an “Afro-dynamic eco-city” – an urban hub for all of Africa combining sustainability, community and economic growth.

Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP) says the development will be done while protecting its “delicate ecosystem,” with the 230-square-mile island covered in mangrove forests and an important nesting site for sea turtles.

Home to just 40,000 people, most of whom work in fishing and rice farming, it hopes to cultivate economic growth and bring prosperity to the former British colony.

The development project has no specific budget but is likely to run into billions of dollars, with SAP seeking investment and Mr Elba admitting it is a “big dream”.

The development project has no precise budget but is likely to run into billions of dollars (artist's impression)

The development project does not have a precise budget but is likely to run into billions of dollars (artist’s impression)

The British star said he wanted to make Sherbro Island an “Afro-dynamic eco-city”. Pictured here with his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba

The British star said he wanted to make Sherbro Island an “Afro-dynamic eco-city”. Pictured here with his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba

The British star said he wanted to make Sherbro Island an “Afro-dynamic eco-city”. Pictured here with his wife Sabrina Dhowre Elba

Mock plans of what the city could look like show palm-lined walkways and entertainment complexes

Mock plans of what the city could look like show palm-lined walkways and entertainment complexes

Mock plans of what the city could look like show palm-lined walkways and entertainment complexes

1710772041 935 Idris Elba shares his big dreams of building a futuristic

1710772041 935 Idris Elba shares his big dreams of building a futuristic

Most of the island's 40,000 inhabitants live in Bonthe. The photo shows dilapidated buildings in the neighborhood

Most of the island's 40,000 inhabitants live in Bonthe. The photo shows dilapidated buildings in the neighborhood

Most of the island’s 40,000 inhabitants live in Bonthe. The photo shows dilapidated buildings in the neighborhood

Idris Elba's late father Winston was born in Sierra Leone (pictured together in 2011)

Idris Elba's late father Winston was born in Sierra Leone (pictured together in 2011)

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 foundations of a new smart city… I am not qualified for this,” he told the BBC. “But I am qualified to dream big.”

The Hackney-born star – who was this week tipped as a favorite to play the new James Bond – has expressed his desire to rejuvenate and “rebrand” his father’s homeland after making his fortune as a DJ, singer and actor.

What began as a mission to attract tourism to the island, which has stunning white sand beaches and palm trees, quickly evolved into an innovative plan to develop the region more sustainably.

“It’s about being self-reliant, it’s about creating an economy that feeds on itself and has the potential for growth,” Elba said.

“I’m very keen to reframe the way Africa is seen… as a model for aid. This opportunity is completely different.

The Luther actor was brought into the project by his childhood friend Siaka Stevens, 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 home country, but after recruiting Elba, the two men quickly realized that a boutique hotel was not the best route to take.

They instead decided to create SAP and work to build Sherbro Island City, striking a deal with the Sierra Leonean government to develop the island.

President Julius Maada Bio, from Sherbro district, said his government believed the development would make the island “an economic engine for our country and its neighbors.”

An artist's impression shows the interior of what an entertainment complex in the city could look like

An artist's impression shows the interior of what an entertainment complex in the city could look like

An artist’s impression shows the interior of what an entertainment complex in the city could look like

Mock plans of what the city could look like, with glass-fronted office and residential buildings

Mock plans of what the city could look like, with glass-fronted office and residential buildings

Mock plans of what the city could look like, with glass-fronted office and residential buildings

An artist's rendering shows pristine lawns and residential buildings in the futuristic city

An artist's rendering shows pristine lawns and residential buildings in the futuristic city

An artist’s rendering shows pristine lawns and residential buildings in the futuristic city

The actor said the island, which was “once under British rule, is now my backdrop for change.”

“As a Brit with deep roots in Africa, I am leading a transformative project on the island of Sherbro,” he wrote on X last week.

“Envision green energy, pioneering innovations and a melting pot for global talent to flourish. We preserve our heritage while promoting our future.

Mock plans of what the city could look like show glassy buildings, pristine lawns and shopping and entertainment complexes.

But the current reality of life on the island is far removed from these artists’ impressions, with many residents living in rundown slums and with limited infrastructure.

The actor was brought into the project by his childhood friend Siaka Stevens (photo left).

The actor was brought into the project by his childhood friend Siaka Stevens (photo left).

The actor was brought into the project by his childhood friend Siaka Stevens (photo left).

A church on Sherbro Island, off the coast of Sierra Leone.

A church on Sherbro Island, off the coast of Sierra Leone.

Local people on Sherbro Island

Local people on Sherbro Island

A church on Sherbro Island, off the coast of Sierra Leone (left) and the local people who live on the island, which has a population of around 40,000.

Only about 28 percent of Sierra Leone’s population has access to electricity and there is currently no electricity on the island, but it is hoped that wind farms and a possible “microgrid” will help to fuel the growth of the island.

Octopus Energy bosses joined 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 “very interested” in Sherbro and signed a deal in November to build Sierra Leone’s first wind farm on the island.

The British energy provider, which has partnered with SAP, said it also plans to turn Sherbro into an “energy island”, installing battery stations to charge electric vehicles.

As well as working with Octopus, SAP has signed a number of partners, including Lloyds, which says it will help “support economic growth opportunities” and provide insurance and risk advice.

Octopus Energy, which has partnered with SAP, said it was exploring the possibility of transforming Sherbro into an “energy island”.

Octopus Energy, which has partnered with SAP, said it was exploring the possibility of transforming Sherbro into an “energy island”.

Octopus Energy, which has partnered with SAP, said it was exploring the possibility of transforming Sherbro into an “energy island”.

But huge investments will be needed to make the Hollywood star’s dream come true, and no specific timetable or budget has been specified for its realization.

“It’s obviously Sierra Leone: it’s one of the poorest countries in the world, so there’s no rush to invest,” he told CNN.

“I suddenly found myself trying to figure out how to put this all together, and what I did was ask best-in-class thinkers to figure out how to build a solid investment framework for that international actors can be interested in Africa in a different way, he continued, and that is what Sherbro Island is.

The 51-year-old added: “That’s a very long-winded way of saying this is my retirement plan.”

A proud Sierra Leonean, the actor and musician’s late father, Winston, was born in the country before emigrating to the United Kingdom.

During his first visit to his homeland, when he obtained citizenship in 2019, he said: “The son of the earth returns to fertilize the earth.”

You may also like