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, H.E. Josephine Gauld LVO, on Thursday, 19th June 2025, 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.
About ACCR
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.
Event Highlights
British High Commissioner Josephine Gauld LVO, In her keynote address, 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.
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 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 and launching the association.
Ben Hampson, Chairman of ACCR and Business Development Director at Rainforest Builder, emphasized 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, and 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.”
The Power of Collaboration
Increased collaboration among ACCR members is expected to significantly enhance ecosystem restoration through:
Efficient Use of Resources: Avoiding duplication and maximizing impact.
Specialization and Inclusivity: Leveraging member strengths and diverse perspectives.
Knowledge Sharing and Innovation: Promoting best practices and new approaches.
Broader Scope and Scale: Enabling larger, integrated projects.
Community Engagement and Capacity Building: Fostering local ownership and sustainability.
Building Partnerships and Alliances: Attracting new resources and expertise.
Sustainability and Continuity: Ensuring long-term project success.
This collaborative approach will drive more efficient, innovative, and large-scale restoration efforts—delivering both social and ecological benefits.
As ACCR continues to engage with policymakers and partners, it calls for the establishment of a clear national carbon framework—developed inclusively with government,
communities, and the private sector—to ensure effective regulation, investor confidence, and equitable benefit-sharing.
The launch event concluded with a lively networking session, reinforcing the shared commitment to advancing Sierra Leone’s carbon conservation and reforestation goals.