In the morning sunlight, a group of women farmers from Samu village is busy planting seedlings in a vast field, with the promise that these young plants could one day become a mangrove forest. If successful, this forest could trap tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere, generating carbon credits that can be sold to corporations aiming to lessen their environmental impact.
Less than a mile away, Ibrahim Tarawally, the youth leader of Mai Village, is frustrated. The Namati paralegal team has travelled a long distance to present a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would allow them to collaborate on reviewing a lease agreement with the Africa Conservation Initiative (ACI). However, Tarawally refuses to sign, citing previous disappointments with ACI, which had promised various support measures. “They promised us cookstoves, ovens, and cold rooms but stopped our work and brought in outsiders to plant the mangroves,” he explains, adding that the community was left uninformed and feels excluded from decisions affecting their livelihoods.
Tarawally fears their means of survival are under threat. “If we can’t plant new mangroves ourselves, we face severe limitations,” he asserts.
Sierra Leone’s rainforests and mangroves have increasingly attracted investment in carbon projects, seen as a sustainable alternative to traditional industries. “These projects benefit both communities and the environment,” says Namati CEO Vivek Maru, highlighting the dual advantage of conservation and local employment.
Carbon projects can mitigate climate change by preserving forests and restoring ecosystems. Dr James Harding, Country Director of ACI, emphasises their commitment to community-focused development using nature-based solutions. Despite Tarawally eventually agreeing to sign the MOU, he remains concerned about unfulfilled promises from companies in the sector.
The emergence of issues regarding accountability in Sierra Leone’s nascent carbon sector underscores the need for a robust regulatory framework to protect communities. Sonkita Conteh, Director of Namati, notes ongoing efforts to develop Sierra Leone’s first National Carbon Strategy, which aims to ensure local communities are prioritised in investment opportunities. Draft provisions include securing community consent and ensuring a fair share of project revenues.
Discussions surrounding the draft strategy have raised contentious issues, including the ownership of carbon rights and community revenue shares. While some advocate for lower revenue shares for projects, others argue for fairer compensation, with calls for government involvement in carbon revenue distribution.
Community representatives have expressed mixed feelings about the current strategy, highlighting the need for it to reflect ongoing projects and community concerns adequately. Chief Foday Sama Bunduka, representing a community with a benefit-sharing agreement, expressed gratitude for being involved in the validation of the document.
The working group’s recommendations will be instrumental in revising the draft strategy, set to become operational in early 2027. However, the overarching question remains: will the promises of carbon investment translate into real benefits for the communities affected? For the women in Samu and the frustrated youth leader in Mai, the effectiveness of Sierra Leone’s emerging carbon industry will hinge on this outcome.
