Seckou Keita Foundation - Mangrove Project

About the Seckou Keita Foundation

The Seckou Keita Foundation is an initiative established by griot, kora player, composer and singer, Seckou Keita. Seckou is from Senegal and has been based in the UK for almost 25 years. This new Foundation aims to support families in need in Seckou's home country of Senegal in West Africa. The mangrove project is the first project of the Foundation, in partnership and supported by the Seckou Keita Fan Club based in Senegal. In summer of 2023, Seckou, alongside members of the fan club, planted 40,000 mangrove propagules in Casamance, Senegal covering approx 8 hectares.

Why mangroves?

Mangroves are vitally important to local communities. Their extensive root systems help prevent flooding; they act as natural filters, removing salt and allowing farmers to irrigate their land; they provide a much-needed habitat for fish and molluscs providing food for neighbouring communities. These vital habitats are severely under threat from deforestation.

Mangrove Project

The Seckou Keita Foundation is working in partnership with L'Aire Marine Protégée de Ziguinchor to replant mangroves and trees in Casamance.

To date, fundraising has taken place in Casamance. Seckou Keita and members of the fan club personally funded the initial planting of 40,000 propagules.

£100 can cover the costs of planting 0.5 hectare of land. If we can raise £5,000, we will be able to plant a further 25 hectares of land in summer 2024. Whatever you are able to contribute will help us achieve our goal.

Words from Ibrahima Dary & Didi Sambou, Presidents of the Seckou Keita Fan Club and Bakasso Gassama, the club's advisor.

Ziguinchor, Seckou’s hometown, is in the south of Senegal. The main road that connects Zigiunchor to the rest of the country floods every year in the rainy season. We have been blessed by the efforts of Ali El Aidar, a well-regarded local environmentalist who every year plants as many mangroves as he can, to alleviate this problem. However, his efforts alone cannot prevent the road from becoming damaged, and every 2 years it needs repairing. As a group of volunteers, we want to help Ali with his efforts, alongside the organisation L’Aire Marine Protegee de Ziginchor. Stabilising the mangroves not only helps prevent flooded roads, but also flooded homes and communities, whilst providing mussels and other shellfish that can be sold bringing in much needed income.

We thank you for your contribution.