With Namati’s support, community members in Bonthe, Sierra Leone, negotiated a revenue-sharing agreement to protect 79,000 hectares of mangrove forests ensuring over 40% of revenue flows directly to local communities, among other terms.
Paramount Chief Thomas JKL Koroma the 2nd signs the landmark agreement.
Bonthe, Sierra Leone (October 20, 2025) — Until the passage of Sierra Leone’s 2022 Customary Land Rights Act, recognized as one of the most progressive land laws in the world, communities had limited authority to give free, prior, and informed consent over the use of their land and resources. Following two years of deliberations, the new agreement between Africa Conservation Initiative (ACI) and over 220 communities in Sittia Chiefdom marks one of the first real-world applications of these landmark laws in the context of a carbon project, demonstrating how local communities can now play a decisive role in shaping and benefiting from conservation.
Namati Sierra Leone provided legal support to the communities throughout the process of negotiating the agreement.
“As part of the agreement, ACI will be providing cook stoves so that we don’t have to use the mangroves to make fires. That will be very helpful to ensure that we conserve the mangroves,” said Saffiatu Dauda, Bonthe community member.
The benefit-sharing agreement was formally signed on October 18, 2025 as witnessed by community members, Namati staff and paralegals, and representatives from ACI. The agreement includes the following terms:
“With Namati’s guidance, our communities gained confidence in partnering with ACI, ensuring youth participation. We anticipate employment and development for our communities,” said Sandy Rogers, Youth Leader in Sittia Chiefdom.
“Under this new agreement, the people of Sittia Chiefdom will protect a critical-ecosystem and earn valuable revenue in the process,” said Namati CEO Vivek Maru. “We’d like to see more deals like this, in Sierra Leone and worldwide.”
Six Carbon Justice principles guided the negotiation process. These principles can inform future projects, policies, and standards to ensure more equitable and accountable carbon projects.
Please direct questions and/or interview requests to media@namati.org.