By Emma Black
Fishing and coastal communities in Bonthe District have reached a landmark carbon agreement with the Africa Conservation Initiative (ACI), marking a major step forward in community-led conservation and benefit sharing in Sierra Leone. The agreement, negotiated with legal support from Namati Sierra Leone, covers the protection of approximately 79,000 hectares of mangrove forest and guarantees that more than 40 percent of generated carbon revenue will flow directly to local communities.
The agreement was signed by Paramount Chief Thomas J.K.L. Koroma II on behalf of communities in Sittia Chiefdom, following nearly two years of consultations and negotiations involving over 220 communities. The deal represents one of the first practical applications of Sierra Leone’s Customary Land Rights Act of 2022, widely regarded as one of the most progressive land laws globally. Prior to the law’s enactment, communities had limited authority to grant free, prior, and informed consent over the use of their land and natural resources.
Under the new framework, communities are no longer passive stakeholders but central decision-makers in conservation initiatives taking place on their customary land. The agreement outlines a shared governance model in which communities will take a leading role in stewarding mangrove ecosystems, while working in partnership with ACI.
Namati Sierra Leone provided continuous legal guidance throughout the negotiation process, supporting communities to understand their rights, build collective positions, and secure equitable terms. The resulting benefit-sharing agreement was formally signed on October 18, 2025, in the presence of community members, Namati staff and paralegals, and representatives of ACI.
Key provisions of the agreement include the joint formation of a company by ACI and the communities to manage carbon revenues transparently, a commitment that 40 percent of gross revenue will be allocated directly to communities, and the introduction of alternative energy solutions such as cook stoves to reduce pressure on mangrove forests.
As part of the agreement, ACI will provide cook stoves so that we don’t have to cut mangroves for firewood, said Saffiatu Dauda, a community member from Bonthe. This will help us protect the mangroves while improving our daily lives.
Youth leaders have also welcomed the agreement, highlighting its potential to create jobs and support local development. With Namati’s guidance, our communities gained the confidence to partner with ACI while ensuring youth participation, said Sandy Rogers, a youth leader in Sittia Chiefdom. We are hopeful this project will bring employment opportunities and long-term development.
Namati’s Chief Executive Officer, Vivek Maru, described the deal as a model for future carbon projects. Under this agreement, the people of Sittia Chiefdom will protect a critical ecosystem and earn meaningful revenue in return, he said. We hope to see many more agreements like this in Sierra Leone and around the world.
The negotiation process was guided by six Carbon Justice Principles, which aim to ensure fairness, accountability, and meaningful community participation in carbon projects. Advocates say these principles could inform future policies and standards, helping to reshape how conservation and carbon markets operate across Africa and beyond.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 4th February 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
