Sahara Group has broadened its environmental sustainability initiatives through a strategic collaboration between its flagship Adopt-A-Forest Initiative and the Gelegele Forest Reserve in Edo State, Nigeria. The partnership was inaugurated with the planting of 20,000 tree seedlings, targeting degraded areas within the reserve and reinforcing Sahara Group’s ongoing commitment to nature-based climate solutions.
The project launch involved close engagement with the Edo State Forestry Commission and the Gelegele Forest Reserve Board, reflecting Sahara Group’s collaborative approach to ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection, and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods in surrounding communities. By partnering with government agencies and local stakeholders, the Group aims to ensure that its interventions deliver both environmental and social benefits.
Launched in 2023, the Adopt-A-Forest Initiative is one of Sahara Group’s flagship climate action programmes, aimed at restoring damaged landscapes, conserving Africa’s critical carbon sinks, and increasing resilience to climate change. By 2024, the initiative had expanded to Nigeria, Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, and Dubai, with plans for further projects in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Kenya in 2025. The programme reflects Sahara Group’s commitment to using nature-based solutions as a key component of its sustainability agenda.
Ejiro Gray, Director of Governance and Sustainability at Sahara Group, described the initiative as central to the company’s vision for a greener and more sustainable future. She emphasized that the programme is more than tree planting; it is a strategic effort to protect Africa’s natural carbon reservoirs. “We recognize forests as vital resources for managing emissions, capturing carbon, and preserving the planet’s ecological balance,” Gray said. “Our efforts aim to ensure these ecosystems thrive and provide long-term benefits to communities and the environment alike.”
Babatomiwa Adesida, Head of Business Support at Asharami Energy, a Sahara Group company, highlighted the project as an example of the Group’s integrated approach to sustainability. “Sustainability is at the heart of our operations. Every tree planted represents a tangible step toward reversing decades of degradation and fostering hope for future generations,” he stated.
The Chairman of the Edo State Forestry Commission, Asuen Valentine, praised Sahara Group’s forward-looking efforts. “The best time to plant a tree was years ago; the second-best time is now. Sahara Group’s support for the Adopt-A-Forest Initiative is a visionary step that will help restore our forests and protect them for the future,” he said.
Gray reaffirmed Sahara Group’s determination to lead climate action across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. She underscored that protecting natural forests and promoting sustainable development are essential and non-negotiable priorities.
The Adopt-A-Forest Initiative remains a core pillar of Sahara Group’s climate strategy, combining ecosystem restoration, resource efficiency, and stakeholder collaboration. Through this programme, the Group aims to ensure that Africa’s forests,its most crucial ecological gift,continue to flourish, supporting both environmental sustainability and the communities that depend on them.
