Where Will the Memorial Take Root?
The Atlantic Slave Memorial will be grown along the northern bank of the Gambia River, a region deeply tied to the transatlantic slave trade. This area was a central departure point for millions of enslaved Africans, and today it faces severe ecological degradation. The memorial will take root as part of Africa’s Great Green Wall, a vast reforestation effort spanning from The Gambia to Djibouti, aiming to restore land, combat desertification, and create sustainable livelihoods.
The memorial will consist of 15 million trees—one for each life lost to the Atlantic slave trade. These trees will be planted in community forests, along roadsides, in public spaces, and within degraded ecosystems, including mangroves. This initiative will not only honor history but also serve as a long-term investment in the region’s ecological and economic future.
The Gambia
Environmental and
Socio-Economic Benefits.
Restoring Land &
Combating Climate Change
Reforestation & Land Restoration:
Planting trees will rehabilitate degraded land, improve soil fertility, and help combat desertification.
Mangrove Restoration:
Mangroves serve as natural flood barriers, prevent coastal erosion, and provide critical habitats for marine life, supporting biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
Carbon Sequestration:
The memorial will act as a carbon sink, absorbing C02 and mitigating the effects of climate change in one of the most vulnerable regions on Earth.
Economic & Social Empowerment
Job Creation & Sustainable Livelihoods
The project will provide employment for local communities, including youth and women, through tree planting, nursery management, and sustainable natural resource enterprises.
Food & Water Security
Restored ecosystems will enhance agricultural productivity, improve water retention, and create new opportunities for food production.
Community Resilience
By strengthening local economies and restoring the environment, the memorial will help reduce forced migration due to climate-related hardship.