Scaling nature-based solutions for climate resilient infrastructure

Role: Research assistant, Sierra Leone
Project: Environmental justice of reforestation practices and advancing ecosystems services and livelihood benefits in Freetown’s informal communities
Affiliation: Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre
ORCID ID: N/A
Email: andrewsaffa24@gmail.com

Andrew Saffa has a background in community development, information technology, and urban research. He studied Business and Information Technology at  Njala University, where he studied Business and Information Technology and graduated with a Second Class (Upper Division) degree.

Andrew later became a Research Lecturer at Professional Global University. He currently works as an IT Officer with the Federation of Urban and Rural Poor Sierra Leone (FEDURP), supporting community-focused initiatives and strengthening information systems that enhance organisational effectiveness. Andrew possesses broad professional expertise in several development areas, including data management and data technology, rural development, resource mobilisation, community development, community mobilisation and organising, programme management and coordination, and partnership development. His work also covers donor and partner relations, social research, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship, slum upgrading, urban resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. In addition, Andrew is actively involved in advocacy, disaster risk reduction, social rights and protection, emergency response and relief interventions, environmental sustainability, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), and climate change mitigation and adaptation in Sierra Leone. 

With the African Nature Futures lab, Andrew served as an intern at the Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre, where he contributed to research in collaboration with Imperial College London and the University of Namibia.