Acclaimed actor, filmmaker, and humanitarian Idris Elba is stepping into a new role—this time as a visionary co-developer of the Sherbro Island Eco-City Project, a bold urban development initiative aimed at transforming Sherbro Island into a sustainable, innovative, and globally connected smart city.
Backed by the Government of Sierra Leone, the Sherbro Island project is being touted as a model for green infrastructure, tech-driven urban living, and inclusive economic development in Africa.
The Sherbro Island City initiative is designed to be a fully sustainable economic hub that integrates:
- Renewable energy sources
- Smart housing and eco-architecture
- Education and healthcare access
- Innovation and tech zones
- Responsible tourism and conservation
The city aims to serve as a gateway for investment and innovation, while preserving the cultural heritage and natural beauty of the island.
Elba, whose father hails from Sierra Leone, expressed pride and deep personal connection to the project:
“This is more than a development—it’s a dream to transform opportunity for the people of Sierra Leone. Sherbro Island will be a benchmark for what’s possible when sustainability, innovation, and African pride come together.”
He has partnered with the Sierra Leonean government through Sherbro Alliance Partners, a joint venture working to drive infrastructure, education, tourism, and economic equity.
The Government of Sierra Leone, under President Julius Maada Bio, is fully backing the initiative as a flagship project under its long-term national development strategy. The plan aligns with the country’s ambition to attract green investment, boost GDP, and create thousands of jobs for local communities.
Ministerial support from the departments of Tourism, Environment, and Innovation ensures the project remains people-focused and ecologically viable.
If completed as envisioned, Sherbro Island City would become one of Africa’s first large-scale eco-smart urban zones—a landmark for climate-conscious development on the continent and a global symbol of African excellence, ambition, and resilience.
