Little-known island that top Brit movie star plans to turn into multi-billion pound ‘dream’ destination

A LITTLE-known island is set for billions of pounds worth of development, as part of an A-lister’s “big dream”.

Luther star Idris Elba has unveiled plans to transform the island just off the coast of Sierra Leone, the country in West Africa where his father was born.

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Sherbro Island has miles of sandy beaches and is described online as a place to relax and slow down.

The island is one of several places with impressive stretches of shoreline in the country.

And thanks to Idris, it could soon become a hugely important destination.

Currently the only place that accommodates tourists on the island is the Bonthe Holiday Village, which offers accommodation with AC in comfortable rooms located in chalets.

Traditional Sierra Leonean meals are usually cooked and taken to the holiday village by local women, including stews, fried plantains and rice. 

But Elba wants to create much more for tourists and locals to enjoy on the island.

He has said that he wants to make it an ‘afro-dynamic eco-city’ and a new urban hub for all of Africa.

Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP), who are helping with the development has said that it will be done while protecting the island’s ‘delicate ecosystem’.

That includes mangrove forests and an important nesting site for sea turtles, which are often spotted swimming in the area.

The development scheme has not got a definitive budget but is expected to run into the billions, with SAP searching for investment from elsewhere.

Elba said it is a ‘big dream’ for him to see the island receive the funding.

He told the BBC: “Originally we went there thinking how could we bring tourism to the most incredible 19 miles of beachfront.

“It’s a dream, you know, but I work in the make-believe business.

“It’s about being self-reliant, it’s about bringing an economy that feeds itself and has growth potential. I’m very keen to reframe the way Africa is viewed… as an aid model. This opportunity is completely different.”

Elba was brought into the project by childhood friend Siaka Stevens, whose grandfather was a former Sierra Leonean president with the same name.

Stevens initially wanted to open a boutique hotel in the country, before expanding his vision.

President of the country Julius Maada Bio is excited about the project.

He said: “We believe that Sherbro Island City will be an economic engine for our country and neighbours.”

The world will have to make sure that “the character of the island hopefully will remain intact” according to Elba.

He described it as a “beautiful, green part of the world” and said he didn’t want to disturb that.

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It’s easy to see why Sierra Leone could become a tourist destination, with the country trying to increase its capacity for tourists in recent years.

Just a year ago, a new international airport opened in Freetown, the capital city.

The country is following that up by increasing its tourism offering, with its beaches, mountains and wildlife already a big draw.

Highlights in Sierra Leone include places like Bureh Beach and the Turtle Islands.

The former is a surf haven, while every Sunday it is at its busiest with families turning up for picnics.

The latter are described by travel experts Bradt as “the stuff castaway movies are made of”.

Other popular natural attractions include Mount Bintumani, the highest peak in West Africa, with forests home to animals, like pygmy hippos, dwarf crocodiles, rufous fishing-owls and several species of primate.

Meanwhile, these incredible luxury island villas are set to be built in a paradise tourist hotspot.

And this amazing private island off the coast of the UK went on sale earlier this year.

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