Film star Idris Elba is at the forefront of creating a smart city in Sierra Leone, with the goal of changing the stereotypical perception of Africa.
Elba, along with Siaka Stevens, the grandson of Sierra Leone’s former president sharing the same name, is working on building an eco-city on the rural Sherbro Island off the coast of West Africa in collaboration with the renewable energy company Octopus Energy Generation.
The city will feature a wind and solar farm to provide electricity to residents, addressing the current issue where less than a third of homes in Sierra Leone have access to electricity. Elba expressed his motivation for the project, stating that while the objective may not be profit-driven, it aims to promote self-reliance and sustainable economic growth within the community.
Elba emphasized the importance of reshaping the perception of Africa, moving away from the traditional aid-focused model. The city is envisioned to attract business, foster innovation, cater to tourists, and empower local communities. Additionally, Elba plans to establish a film studio on the island and create a retirement home for his Ghanaian mother, with his late Sierra Leonean father in mind.
By undertaking this ambitious project, Elba seeks to redefine the narrative surrounding Africa while simultaneously contributing to the development and advancement of Sierra Leone.
