A Young Beekeeper Brings Hope and Profit to Sierra Leone Communities

April 1, 2025

Aruna Bangura, a young beekeeper from Sierra Leone, has launched a successful initiative that combines modern beekeeping with environmental conservation, offering hope and economic benefits to local communities. In 2022, noticing a decline in the bee population near Tiwai Island, Bangura initiated the Tiwai Honey Project, introducing modern hives that produce more honey than traditional ones.

This initiative started with just 20 hives and now involves over 400 beekeepers from eight communities, having constructed more than 300 modern hives. The initiative provides locals with an alternative to logging for charcoal, helping reduce deforestation and offering a sustainable income source through honey production.

The project has not only enhanced bee populations but also empowered local communities. Bangura’s approach to beekeeping combines traditional knowledge with modern techniques, resulting in improved honey yields. In recognition of his efforts, the initiative won the Iris Project's Stem Prize, which provided funding to expand the project.

The Tiwai Honey Project is already yielding positive outcomes, with beekeepers earning an average of $25 per day from honey sales. This success has fostered greater community awareness about the impacts of deforestation and pesticide use, contributing to both environmental and economic restoration.