By Komba Fillie
It was a landmark moment as Hon Members of Parliament back with support from other government official ratify greater investment bill for the transformation of Sherbro Island.
This was made known during a press conference held at Radisson Blu, Aberdeen in Freetown on Thursday 26th June 2025.
In his statement the philanthropist, Idis Elba and Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP) disclosed that they have been formally granted approval by the Parliament of Sierra Leone to lead the regeneration of the beautiful Sherbro Island and transform it into an eco-friendly “smart city”.
He noted that officially ratification of landmark public-private partnership (PPP), established will lead the development of Sherbro Island into a Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
He added that the initiative, which has received unanimous backing from the island’s Paramount Chiefs and the wider Bonthe community will operate as the official Development Authority for Sherbro Island.
His partnership, Elba with his childhood friend Siaka Stevens in 2019 to form SAP with a mission to transform Sherbro Island into a large-scale and sustainable eco-city, a driver of economic growth for Sierra Leone and the surrounding West Africa region.
They share a commitment to building a legacy in Sierra Leone that will promote investment and rapid sustainable growth.
He stated that as a Co-Founder of Sherbro Alliance Partners, the ratification of the Investment Framework Agreement by the Government and Parliament of Sierra Leone is a landmark moment. He said it brings both party closer to realizing the vision of building a pioneering eco-smart city – the first of its kind.
He pointed out that the agreement is more than a development project and a platform for long-term investment, innovation, and inclusive growth. “My commitment to unlocking Africa’s potential and reshaping how the world sees development on the continent has never been stronger. Sherbro is ready and the future starts now.”
The Octopus Energy Generation, one of Europe’s largest investors in clean energy, is set to play a pivotal role in shaping Sherbro Island’s energy future. As part of the island’s transformation, Octopus is partnering with the organization to develop Sierra Leone’s first wind farm to generate
pilot projects for agricultural products and services and aquaculture farms are also under
About Octopus Energy Generation
Octopus Energy Generation is driving the renewable energy agenda and building green power for the future. It is reshaping the market by leading the transition to a cleaner, greener future through renewable projects connected more deeply to customers and businesses. As one of Europe’s largest specialist renewables investors, it manages 4.3 GW of energy projects like wind and solar farms in over 15 countries, worth E7bn (S9bn/ €B.5bn). These generate enough green power for 2.4 million homes every year – the equivalent of taking over 1 million petrol cars off the road.
