Bringing groundbreaking land and climate laws to life

Historically, communities in Sierra Leone have not had the tools to shape land-based investments. Negotiations between investors and communities have been marred by deep power imbalances, leading to exploitation and environmental devastation.

In 2022, the government passed two laws that changed this dynamic. Namati and communities drafted and advocated for these historic laws, and now we’re breathing life into them. In 2024, paralegals supported communities affected by over 30 large-scale mining and agribusiness projects to use the laws to demand fair lease agreements and address environmental harms.

In one instance, at a public community meeting, government representatives and top security officers told residents to sign a 50-year lease agreement covering 19,871 acres which the community had never seen before. “The community members knew their rights and started to ask questions”, recalls paralegal Fatmata Fouard-Kanu. “When the official dismissed them, I stood up and demanded answers.”

Fatmata was briefly detained, but neither she nor the community were deterred. After another meeting, the agency agreed to revisit the lease and retrain its staff on the new laws.

“When we speak up with courage, invoking specific rules, we can secure a solution,” says Fatmata. “Even with people we strongly disagree with.”

Increasingly, Namati is supporting communities engaged in carbon projects to use the new laws. In 2024, for instance, paralegals worked with 224 communities to shape mangrove conservation plans and negotiate a fair benefit-sharing agreement with West Africa Blue. They are working to ensure 50% of the carbon credit revenue returns to the communities

In recognition of our expertise, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change invited Namati to help develop the country’s inaugural climate change law. We’re leveraging insights from our grassroots casework to ensure these new regulations respect the rights of communities.

Our Grassroots Impact at a Glance