High-level government officials, ambassadors, donors, development partners, and private sector leaders convened at the British High Commission in Freetown to celebrate the official launch of the Association of Carbon Conservation and Reforestation (ACCR)—Sierra Leone’s first industry platform dedicated to accelerating carbon industry growth and climate action through public-private collaboration.
Hosted by British High Commissioner Madam Josephine Gauld LVO, the event marked the formation of a national body uniting stakeholders in Sierra Leone’s rapidly growing carbon credit sector. As international momentum builds for market-based climate solutions, Sierra Leone is positioning itself as a compelling destination for climate finance.
The Association of Carbon Conservation and Reforestation (ACCR) is a trade association representing the six largest private sector carbon developers in Sierra Leone: West Africa Blue, Rainforest Builder, Rewilding, Freetown the Treetown, Del Agua, and Gola Rainforest.
ACCR was originally convened by Invest Salone, a UK Government programme, at the request of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. ACCR members work in partnership with local communities to restore natural ecosystems and improve livelihoods through sustainable carbon finance projects.
The British High Commissioner Madam Josephine Gauld LVO, highlighted Sierra Leone’s significant carbon market potential, noting the country ranks among the top 20 globally for carbon stock and growth potential.
“This is a very exciting sector that can create a new revenue stream for the Government. There is huge potential for the market to grow and develop, and to protect and enhance the environment. These projects offer long-term sustainability for Sierra Leone, and the UK is committed to working alongside the government and international partners to help Sierra Leone seize this opportunity,” she said.
The Ambassador also emphasized the role of Invest Salone in unifying the private sector and supporting the growth of Sierra Leone’s carbon market.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Jiwoh Abdulai, welcomed private sector involvement, describing carbon as a vital area for growth.
“Through such an association, they have the potential to bring a lot to the sector. As a Government we also want to encourage the private sector and wanted the association to organize itself so that as we develop the framework and legislation, they can have a seat at the table,” he remarked.
He stressed the importance of transparent partnerships to inspire stakeholder confidence and unlock Sierra Leone’s natural resources and potential. He was very pleased to be there launching the association.
Ben Hampson, Chairman of ACCR and Business Development Director at Rainforest Builder emphasised ACCR’s role as the unified voice of the private sector in carbon finance discussions.
“Our members attract climate finance from some of the world’s largest corporations, channelling these funds into rural communities to restore and preserve natural ecosystems. This is not just the launch of an association, but the launch of an industry from which Sierra Leone stands to benefit hugely. The six companies in the Association collectively already employ 4,500 people, have planted 4.5 million trees, protected tens of thousands of hectares of forest and mangrove under threat, and delivered 250,000 efficient cookstoves.”
He added, “With the establishment of a Carbon Market Framework, these benefits will double and triple over the next 2-5 years. ACCR stands as the partner with GoSL to put the framework in place as quickly and fairly as possible to ensure continued investment into this space.”
