From the forests of Sugar Loaf to the development of a national network, this is the story of how ancestral knowledge and global solidarity are helping communities in Sierra Leone gain recognition for their territories of life
First published on 04/27/2026
By the ICCA Consortium
In 2025, communities across Sierra Leone, in West Africa, reached a major milestone by stepping more fully into the global movement for territories of life. This progress was made possible through strong collaboration between local community leaders, the Consortium’s West Africa coordination team, and international ICCA practitioners and experts.
Field visits and on-the-ground engagement helped deepen partnerships between communities in the Freetown Peninsula and the Consortium, identify new potential ICCAs, and raise awareness of these areas among both public and private stakeholders. These efforts align closely with the ICCA Consortium’s strategic priorities, which emphasize community leadership, knowledge sharing, and the development of strong national networks.
Sierra Leone is now in the process of designating a national focal point to connect local communities with the broader regional network. The team is working to strengthen governance systems, elevate local knowledge, and support the formal recognition of ICCAs across the country.
The Sugar Loaf community forest, an emblematic ICCA
Among the country’s emerging ICCAs, the Sugar Loaf community forest stands out as a flagship site. Nestled in a mountainous landscape, it hosts rich biodiversity and plays a vital ecological, cultural, and social role for the 4,500–5,000 people living in nearby villages, primarily from the Krio, Temne, and Mende communities. Strong traditional governance, active participation from women and youth, and the protection of sacred areas all demonstrate the community’s central role in caring for their land and sustaining their livelihoods.
Recognizing and highlighting Sugar Loaf is just the beginning: it opens the door for other territories of life to gain visibility in the country, and for Sierra Leone to play a stronger role in the Consortium’s global efforts.
Sugar Loaf in a nutshell
Country: Sierra Leone
Region: Freetown Peninsula
Type: Community forest (identified ICCA)
Key functions: Water resources, biodiversity conservation, soil protection
Population: 4 500 – 5 000 inhabitants (Krio, Temne, Mende communities)
Governance: Community-led, based on customary practices
Main threats: Deforestation and urban expansion
