Sherbro: Idris Elba's plans for a futuristic eco-city

British actor wants to transform Sierra Leonean island into economic and environmental powerhouse, but issues of feasibility and funding remain

Warterfront at Bonthe, Sherbro Island, Sierra Leone
Sherbro Island, about two hours from the mainland by ferry, is a delicate eco-system with no mains electricity
(Image credit: Nick Ledger / Alamy Stock Photo)

Hollywood actor Idris Elba is attempting to turn an island off the coast of Sierra Leone into a futuristic, eco-friendly "smart city".

The London-born star, whose father was from the West African nation, has teamed up with a childhood friend to develop Sherbro – an island "roughly the size of the Isle of Man", said The Guardian. The Sierra Leonean government has granted Sherbro "enough autonomy" to allow the project to go ahead.

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Harriet Marsden is a writer for The Week, mostly covering UK and global news and politics. Before joining the site, she was a freelance journalist for seven years, specialising in social affairs, gender equality and culture. She worked for The Guardian, The Times and The Independent, and regularly contributed articles to The Sunday Times, The Telegraph, The New Statesman, Tortoise Media and Metro, as well as appearing on BBC Radio London, Times Radio and “Woman’s Hour”. She has a master’s in international journalism from City University, London, and was awarded the "journalist-at-large" fellowship by the Local Trust charity in 2021.