British actor and philanthropist of Sierra Leonean and Ghanaian heritage, Idris Elba, has said Africa is often misunderstood in global development discussions, arguing that the continent’s resources and human capital make it central to global progress rather than dependent on external aid.
He said, “Africa is seen as a place that always needs aid,” adding that “the world needs Africa more than Africa needs the world, because it’s rich in resources.”
Elba made the remarks while speaking about his philanthropic work with his wife, model and activist Sabrina Dhowre Elba, through their Elba Hope Foundation.
He said their aim is to change narratives about the continent while investing in practical, community-led development.
Sabrina echoed this view, stressing that African countries already understand their needs but lack sufficient backing.
“African countries know exactly what they need to do,” she said. “What’s frustrating is the lack of political will and funding to get it done.”
She added that their work places strong emphasis on women, girls, and underserved rural communities, which are often most affected by poverty and inequality.
“The most affected person on this planet by a lot of these issues is a woman and a girl,” she said.
The Elba Hope Foundation, launched in 2022, focuses on food security, youth empowerment, and sustainable development, with programmes in Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom.
Its initiatives include the Rice for Life programme, which has delivered support equivalent to more than one million meals, and the Creative Futures programme, which trains underserved young people for careers in music, media, theatre, and other creative industries.
Elba said the organisation is intended to move beyond traditional charity models into a more strategic role.
“I don’t want us to be a charity. I want us to maybe be a think tank,” he said. “We get called into so many rooms that, technically, we aren’t qualified to speak in—but it turns out, if you care, sometimes that caring in the room makes a lot of change.”
A major focus of their work is Sherbro Island in Sierra Leone, where they are supporting renewable energy and infrastructure development in partnership with Octopus Energy Generation.
The project aims to expand electricity access and build a self-sustaining local economy through wind and solar energy investment.
