By Ibrahim Sesay
Orange Sierra Leone has partnered with PlantMamaSL to host the country’s first-ever Salone Garden Expo, a two-day event held from 13–14 February 2026 at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel in Freetown. The Expo represents Sierra Leone’s inaugural national platform dedicated to sustainability, environmental awareness and climate action.
The event features plant exhibitions, sales displays and networking opportunities designed to bring together gardening enthusiasts, environmental advocates and green entrepreneurs. It aims to promote eco-friendly practices, encourage community engagement in climate initiatives and inspire a culture of environmental responsibility across Sierra Leone.
Officially launching the maiden edition on Friday, February 13, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sierra Leone, Aïcha Touré, called for stronger collaboration among Government, the private sector and citizens to advance environmental sustainability nationwide. Declaring the Expo open, she noted that gatherings such as the Salone Garden Expo serve as a reminder that nature remains central to human survival and collective responsibility.
“When you walk into a space like this, surrounded by greenery and people who genuinely care, you’re reminded that nature is our food, our water, our shade, our health,” she said. “Connectivity and sustainability must move forward together.”
Aïcha Touré acknowledged that the telecommunications industry has an environmental footprint but emphasized that Orange is investing in energy-efficient networks, solar-powered base stations and greener operations to reduce emissions while expanding digital access. She stressed that sustainability should not be treated as a side initiative but as a guiding principle for both business and Government decision-making.
“No single institution can address this challenge alone. It requires collective action,” she stated, describing tree planting as “one of the most powerful acts of leadership” and a symbol of commitment to future generations. She further called on Government to include Orange and other private sector leaders in national environmental conversations, affirming that “we want to be part of the solution.”
The Expo is an initiative of Plant Mama SL Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alitta Ansu Katta, who described the event as the fulfillment of a long-standing dream that began with “a few pots” on her balcony. She told attendees that the journey to hosting Sierra Leone’s first large-scale garden expo was marked by financial sacrifices, vendor withdrawals and sponsorship challenges.
“There were moments I wondered if anyone believed in this vision the way I did,” she said. “But this expo is proof that if you believe in something deeply enough and refuse to let rejection define you, it can happen.”
She urged citizens not to leave environmental protection solely to Government agencies, encouraging practical actions such as planting trees, composting and teaching children to nurture seedlings.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jiwoh Emmanuel Abdulai, reflected on the loss of forest cover in his childhood village and warned of the consequences of deforestation. He noted that two out of five plant species in Sierra Leone are estimated to be threatened with extinction, describing the situation as a matter of national survival.
Jiwoh Emmanuel Abdulai said Government’s flagship environmental initiative, Protect Sierra Leone, aims to restore degraded ecosystems and safeguard remaining forests but stressed that such efforts require active private sector and community involvement.
“Government cannot do it alone,” he said, commending Plant Mama SL and its partners for promoting urban gardening and environmental awareness.
Throughout the opening day, attendees toured vendor booths displaying ornamental and edible plants, gardening tools and eco-friendly products. Demonstrations were also conducted to educate participants on plant care and sustainable gardening practices.
Organizers say the Salone Garden Expo is intended to become a recurring platform for promoting green entrepreneurship, climate awareness and citizen-led environmental action in Sierra Leone.
