Sierra Leone and Rainforest Builder Sign Long-Term Partnership for Forest Restoration and Rural Development

The Government of Sierra Leone has signed a landmark Long-Term Partnership Agreement with Rainforest Builder (SL) Limited to advance large-scale rainforest restoration and sustainable development. This strategic collaboration reflects Sierra Leone’s commitment to climate resilience, rural empowerment, and green economic transformation.

Under the agreement, Rainforest Builder will expand its operations to restore at least 12,000 hectares of degraded forest land, plant over 10 million indigenous trees, and create employment for more than 2,500 people in rural communities. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministries of Environment and Climate Change, Trade and Industry, and Finance, alongside the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), traditional authorities, and local communities.

National Significance

This partnership represents a major milestone for the Government of Sierra Leone. It supports national goals in environmental restoration, economic diversification, and inclusive developments in food security and agricultural productivity. The project is expected to deliver measurable benefits across multiple sectors:

• The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change views the initiative as a cornerstone of Sierra Leone’s national reforestation efforts. It contributes directly to biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and sustainable land management.
• The Ministry of Trade and Industry recognizes the project as a model for attracting responsible private investment that delivers long-term economic value. It will stimulate rural economies, support sustainable timber and carbon markets, and create thousands of jobs.
• The Ministry of Finance sees the partnership as aligned with Sierra Leone’s green growth strategy and climate finance mobilization. It is expected to generate fiscal value through sustainable industries and community-based development.

Signing this landmark agreement on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone was Hon. Jiwoh Abdulai, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Alpha Ibrahim Sesay, Minister of Trade and Industry and Hon. Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, Minister of Finance.

“This investment from Rainforest Builder is a key tenet in the Protect Sierra Leone strategy announced earlier this year,” said Hon. Jiwoh Abdulai, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “Rainforest Builder’s investment marks a turning point in our national effort to restore degraded landscapes and combat climate change. By planting over two million indigenous trees and partnering with local communities, they are not only reviving the Upper Guinean Forest but also creating lasting economic opportunities. This is climate action with real impact, science-led, community-driven, and fully aligned with our environmental priorities.”

“Critically, whilst we are reforesting the landscape, we are improving community lives, and this agreement clearly demonstrates our commitment to reinvest carbon revenues in back into rural communities.”

Edward Stephenson, Co-CEO of Rainforest Builder commented, “I am delighted to be signing this Long-Term Partnership Agreement with the Government of Sierra Leone, which underlines our commitment to long-term investment in reforestation and community livelihood improvement in Sierra Leone. We see huge potential for Sierra Leone to be among the world’s leaders in nature-based carbon removals and appreciate the trust placed in us by the Government and other stakeholders to help realise this. This builds on our already significant investment and employment of over 1,000 Sierra Leoneans over the past three years, and we look forward to expanding upon this substantially as we work to restore Sierra Leone’s rainforests, in partnership with all stakeholders.”

Parliamentary Process

In line with Sierra Leone’s commitment to transparency and due process, the next stage is the agreement being tabled for Parliamentary ratification, ensuring that the legislative process is engaged and that the agreement receives full endorsement.

Community Impact

The project has already begun operations in Fakunya Chiefdom and Wonde Chiefdom where it is restoring degraded land and creating meaningful employment. Local communities are actively engaged through benefit-sharing mechanisms that include lease payments, agricultural support, and development funds. The initiative is designed to ensure that at least 30% of project benefits flow directly to rural communities.

When informed of the Cabinet approval, the Paramount Chief of Fakunya Chiefdom, PC Samuel HINDOVEH BENGEH II commented:  “The Cabinet’s approval of this partnership is a proud moment for our Chiefdom. Rainforest Builder’s work has brought real change to our communities, creating jobs, restoring our land, and giving our people new hope. Many families now have stable income, and our youth are engaged in meaningful work. This project has not only improved livelihoods but has also strengthened our connection to the land and each other. We welcome its expansion with open arms.”

About Rainforest Builder (SL) Limited

Rainforest Builder (SL) Limited has been operating since 2023 as part of Rainforest Builder Group, a tropical forest restoration company operating across West Africa with operations in Sierra Leone, Ghana and Guinea. Taking a science-led, community-focused approach, the company transforms degraded land into thriving ecosystems while creating jobs, infrastructure, and economic opportunities and delivering high-quality carbon removals for companies around the world.