By Hassan Solokoh Bockarie
Rainforest Builder, an international environmental investment company, has announced a $250 million initiative to restore 100,000 hectares of degraded forest land in Sierra Leone under its flagship “Project Buffalo”. The ambitious project promises to deliver both environmental and economic transformation across the country.
The announcement was made by Sophie Johnson, Country Policy and Government Relations Manager for Rainforest Builder, during her presentation at the Sierra Leone AgriFood Investor Summit held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
According to Johnson, Project Buffalo will not only rejuvenate the country’s natural ecosystem but also create 5,000 jobs, plant one million trees, and generate up to $1 billion in government revenue through taxes, fees, and land leases. “Our vision is simple, with Rainforest Builder, the future is restorable,” she said. She added that they are working hand-in-hand with the Government of Sierra Leone to renew ecosystems, create sustainable livelihoods, and boost national revenue.
Johnson emphasised that the project includes plans for a world-class seed storage and research facility to support ongoing forest restoration efforts. She added that all activities are conducted on land leased under the Customary Lands Rights Act of 2022, ensuring compliance with Sierra Leone’s new legal framework for community land ownership.
Rainforest Builder says its operations will quadruple average household income in participating communities. The company works closely with local farmers, providing training, fertilisers, improved seeds, and market access to boost agricultural productivity both within and outside project areas. “We lose a maximum of 30 per cent of land from each landowning family and ensure that farmers enrolled in the project benefit from agricultural improvement programmes,” Johnson explained.
She stated that the initiative aligns with the government’s Feed Salone programme, aiming to increase food self-sufficiency by improving farmers’ yields by up to four times, adding that through its collaboration with government institutions, Project Buffalo is expected to bring in significant revenue opportunities for the state via direct and indirect taxes, corresponding adjustment fees, and land leases.
The project’s model combines environmental conservation with community development, offering a practical example of how private investment can drive green growth in Sierra Leone.
As Johnson concluded her presentation, she emphasised the broader vision of the initiative. “Project Buffalo is not just about planting trees — it’s about restoring hope, creating opportunities, and rebuilding Sierra Leone’s future through nature,” she affirmed.
