United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sierra Leone has launched the country’s first canopy walkway at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, to broaden eco-tourism, protect biodiversity, and diversify the economy.

The 360 metres canopy walkway launch featured a cross-section of sovereign and international players, underscoring the project’s strategic importance for Sierra Leone’s tourism growth agenda. It is designed to elevate visitors’ experience with breath-taking views of the forest, while advancing diversity protection and environmental education as key drivers of economic growth.

Key voices at the event included Bala Amarasekaran, founder of Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, who welcomed the project as a catalyst for citizens and tourist experiences while reinforcing Sierra Leone’s natural heritage. He noted the project’s transformative potential to advance conservation and place Sierra Leone on the map of global eco-tourism.

Environment and Climate Change Minister Jiwoh Abdulai stressed the imperative of safeguarding Tacugama for current and future generations, while Deputy Minister of Tourism Kadijatu Kamara highlighted the sanctuary’s status as a national treasure and framed the canopy walkway as a pathway to a resilient, people-centred economy.

The project aims to minimize environmental impact, while maximizing local enterprise opportunities, building resilience against economic and climate shocks.

The initiative forms part of a broader push to diversify the economy and strengthen the tourism sector, which currently accounts for a meaningful slice of GDP and jobs, with the canopy walkway expected to spur new demand for guiding services, hospitality, handicrafts, and related eco-tourism ventures across surrounding communities.

When the canopy walkway is finished, it will elevate visitor experiences, enhanced biodiversity protection, and community benefits, Sierra Leone could establish a repeatable model for nature-led growth in West Africa.

This ambitious project aligns with broader development goals, fostering sustainable livelihoods and attracting further multilateral funding and private investment. Sierra Leone is betting big on green growth, and this walkway is a tangible step towards resilient tourism.