By-Kadiatu Sankoh
The Conservation Society of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, 30th June 2026, convened a sensitization engagement for private sector actors on REDD+ processes at the CHASL Conference Room on King Harman Road in Freetown. The engagement aimed to support the readiness phase of Sierra Leone’s REDD+ Programme by raising awareness and strengthening private sector participation in efforts to reduce deforestation, promote sustainable forest management, and contribute to national climate change mitigation and environmental conservation goals.
Speaking on the purpose of the meeting, the Communication Manager of CSSL, Mr. Abdul K. Dumbuya, said the engagement marked the formation of a private sector network under the REDD+ Programme in Sierra Leone. He explained that the network would collaborate with development partners, implementing agencies, and the Ministry of the Environment to support effective implementation of REDD+ activities across the country. He noted that the private sector plays a vital role in national development, and emphasized that stakeholders had been engaged as active partners in advancing REDD+ objectives.
He added that the initiative builds on earlier progress involving local communities and civil society organizations, where two networks have already been established. According to him, the private sector network becomes the third key platform, bringing together actors whose expertise, innovation, and investment will contribute significantly to the success of the programme. He encouraged participants to actively engage and contribute meaningfully to the implementation process.
The Chairman of the National REDD+ Technical Committee, Mr. Ansumannah Babar Turay, stated that many participants were already familiar with the REDD+ Programme. He explained that while the current phase of implementation began about two years ago, REDD+ in Sierra Leone dates back to around 2010, reflecting over a decade of national engagement. He noted that Sierra Leone developed a National REDD+ Strategy to guide its objectives under the global climate agenda.
He further explained that REDD+ is not only an environmental initiative, but also a structured mechanism requiring verification and accountability. It was established under the United Nations climate framework to support countries that protect forests while facing economic challenges. He emphasized that forests provide essential environmental services by absorbing carbon dioxide and reducing climate change impacts, yet many forest-dependent communities remain economically disadvantaged. REDD+ was therefore designed to provide financial incentives to countries and communities that conserve forests.
He stressed that private sector involvement is essential for the success of REDD+, particularly in areas such as carbon markets, carbon trading, and carbon finance. He noted that without private investment, the long-term sustainability of REDD+ initiatives would be difficult to achieve. He also explained that project financing often depends on periodic verification of carbon stocks, which takes place approximately every five years. Delays in verification can slow down funding flows, making private sector participation even more critical.
He added that the formation of the private sector network should focus on institutional representation rather than individual personalities, as many organizations are represented by delegated officials. He encouraged participants to engage actively and contribute to shaping effective outcomes for REDD+ implementation in Sierra Leone.
The National REDD+ Technical Coordinator, Dr. Gbassay E.S. Momoh, explained that REDD+ is an incentive-based mechanism developed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. He clarified that the programme does not aim to completely stop deforestation but to reduce its rate, as forests remain essential for human livelihoods and economic development.
He stated that REDD+ operates in three main phases, beginning with the readiness phase, which Sierra Leone is currently undertaking and which focuses on developing policies, institutions, technical systems, and capacity. This is followed by the implementation phase, where demonstration activities are carried out. The final phase is Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV), where results are independently verified, and successful performance can lead to results-based payments that provide long-term financing for forest conservation.
He noted that Sierra Leone has made progress in its readiness process with support from development partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Green Climate Fund, bringing total project financing to approximately US$700,000. He added that Sierra Leone was initially identified as one of the countries lagging in REDD+ readiness but has since made significant improvements through strengthened partnerships.
Dr. Momoh emphasized that non-state actors, including local communities, NGOs, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector, play a critical role in REDD+ implementation. He stated that government alone cannot finance or sustain the programme and that private sector participation is essential for investment, technological support, monitoring systems, and effective policy implementation.
He further explained that REDD+ implementation is guided by international frameworks, including the Warsaw Framework, the Cancún Safeguards, and the Paris Agreement, which ensure transparency, environmental integrity, and respect for community rights. He also presented global and national forest data, noting that forests cover about 15 percent of the Earth’s land surface and store a significant portion of terrestrial carbon. He highlighted that global deforestation remains high, with millions of hectares lost annually, while Sierra Leone has experienced significant forest loss over recent decades.
He outlined major milestones in REDD+ development, including its introduction in 2005, the establishment of Cancún Safeguards in 2010, the Warsaw Framework in 2013, and its reinforcement under the Paris Agreement in 2015. He also provided historical context on Sierra Leone’s forestry sector, noting the establishment of the Forestry Department in 1911 and subsequent forestry laws, which are currently under review to incorporate REDD+ considerations.
He further explained that REDD+ aims to improve forest governance, enhance community participation, strengthen monitoring systems through technology, and support reforestation and landscape restoration. He also highlighted climate and development benefits such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable financing through carbon markets, improved ecosystem services, and increased adoption of climate-smart agriculture.
He concluded that successful REDD+ implementation in Sierra Leone depends on strong collaboration among government institutions, local communities, civil society, development partners, academic institutions, and the private sector in order to complete the readiness phase, transition into implementation, and ultimately access results-based payments for sustainable forest management.