ServiceNow and Idris Elba reimagine the future of West African island

Photo credit: Akuna Group

Most people have an innate curiosity to understand where they came from, where their families lived. Some have a yearning to make that place better than it was. That's the case with Idris Elba, award-winning actor, humanitarian and ServiceNow ambassador, whose father is from Sierra Leone.

The country has one of the world's highest maternal mortality rates, due to a combination of poverty, lack of clean water and limited healthcare, according to CIA.gov. Elba imagines a better future for the place where his father grew up, and that means overcoming these challenges.

ServiceNow believes access to AI/technology, opportunity and knowledge plays a vital role in breaking down these barriers—and improving lives to generate a ripple effect that uplifts communities.

A shared vision

This commitment to collective progress inspired our partnership with Elba. We're working together to create a lasting, positive impact in Sierra Leone.

"I am deeply committed to Africa's growth and development", Elba says. "The continent is a place of incredible opportunity, rich with talent, creativity and resilience. Yes, there are challenges to overcome—like anywhere in the world. But that's what makes the journey so compelling. We all need to step out boldly, experience Africa firsthand, and harness the power of creativity to address the continent's needs and share its stories with the world".

ServiceNow and Elba have a shared vision to dream big about building a sustainable future for everyone. Fulfilling that vision begins on Sherbro Island in Sierra Leone, in collaboration with Elba Hope Foundation, an organisation committed to making sustainable progress and better futures for Africans and the African Diaspora.

For a country of 9.1 million people, only 29% of Sierra Leone's population have access to electricity, according to CIA.gov. Sherbro Island's 30,000 people have no mains access, The Week reports. A community like this is an ideal place to bring a micro-to-macro approach to life, but that requires first addressing the island's needs.

In partnership with Elba Hope Foundation, ServiceNow is exploring collaborative opportunities through community development programmes. Combining the strengths and expertise of both organisations can lead to meaningful initiatives that address social and environmental challenges, with critical infrastructure at the centre.

This is one of the many ways we're helping empower and uplift communities in an effort to reach 1 billion people in partnership with nonprofits such as Elba Hope Foundation and our customers.

How we'll get there

A dual-impact approach is critical to achieve our shared vision to reimagine Sherbro Island as a sustainable eco-city. It requires close alignment with local leaders to help provide needed resources and a grassroots movement to invest in infrastructure and position the island for a successful future.

ServiceNow and Elba Hope Foundation are committed to finding ways to provide the community with access to energy and clean drinking water. To create the world we envision, we must first think about what's needed today, tomorrow and in years to come.

This dual-impact approach will lead to employment opportunities through socioeconomic developments in the long term. But this is only the beginning.

We can't do this alone. Imagine if organisations across the world collaborated for the greater good. Imagine if we put our resources together instead of working in silos.

This is a call to action for all of us to work together to combine business with impact and bridge the gap between the world we envision and the world we have.

Find out more about ServiceNow's commitment to make the world work better for everyone.