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Sierra Leone Joins New Regional Push to Restore Mangroves, Coastal Wetlands

SierraLoaded News | 7/29/2026, 2:40:48 PM

Wetlands International, in collaboration with its partners, has officially launched Mangrove Capital Africa Phase IV (MCA IV) in Freetown, signalling a renewed push to restore and protect degraded coastal wetlands across West Africa. The new phase of the initiative will focus on strengthening mangrove restoration efforts along the coastal corridors of Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone, under the theme “Moving towards a regional mangrove corridor.” The programme seeks to enhance cross-border collaboration while promoting sustainable environmental management and community resilience. The launch event also reflected on the progress made during Phase III, part of a broader ten-year programme that began in 2017. Funded by DOB Ecology, the initiative aims to conserve or restore up to one million hectares of mangroves across Africa, with an estimated two million people expected to benefit from improved ecosystems and livelihoods. Speaking at the launch, Ibrahima Thiam, Executive Director of Wetlands International, described the new phase as a critical step forward in strengthening partnerships and scaling up efforts to protect vital wetland ecosystems. He emphasised the importance of coordinated regional action in addressing environmental degradation and climate challenges. The programme adopts innovative conservation strategies, including Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) and the use of the Global Mangrove Watch (GMW) platform for monitoring. Unlike traditional tree-planting approaches, CBEMR focuses on restoring natural ecological processes such as water flow, while actively involving local communities to support sustainable regeneration. Sierra Leone continues to play a key role in the initiative, with ongoing restoration activities in areas such as Moyamba, where degraded rice fields are being converted back into functional mangrove ecosystems. These efforts are aimed at improving environmental health while also supporting local livelihoods. Across the region, the programme integrates restoration with community development initiatives, including the establishment of mangrove nurseries and small-scale hydraulic structures to improve soil conditions and revive agricultural productivity. Women have emerged as central actors in the programme, particularly through Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Savings and Credit Groups, which support both environmental stewardship and economic empowerment. As Phase IV begins, stakeholders are optimistic that the initiative will deepen regional cooperation, expand restoration efforts, and deliver long-term benefits for both ecosystems and coastal communities in West Africa. The post Sierra Leone Joins New Regional Push to Restore Mangroves, Coastal Wetlands appeared first on Sierraloaded .

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