Faith Alofe

Renowned film star and leading figure in the development of a smart city in Sierra Leone, Idris Elba has stated that he embraced the project to challenge the prevailing stereotypes against Africa.

Born to a Sierra Leone father and a Ghanaian mother, Elba is collaborating with Siaka Stevens, a grandson of a former Sierra Leone president to spearhead the construction of an ecosystem on the rural Sherburo off the coast of West Africa

The duo is partnering with the renewable energy company Octopus Energy Generation to build an island city with a wind and solar farm to provide power to residents.

Elba in an interaction with BBCNewsDay Programme said, “Are we ever gonna make a profit? I don’t think so, but it is about being self-reliant, it’s about bringing an economy that feeds itself, that has growth potential,”

“I’m very keen to sort of reframe the way Africa is viewed. We often view the framing of Africa as an aid model and this opportunity is completely different,” he added.

In Sierra Leone where less than a third of homes do not have electricity,Elba projects a self-sustaining economy that fosters growth and independence despite challenges in profitability.

He is seeking to attract business and innovation,while also appealing to holidaymakers and empowering local communities.