United Kingdom, March 18 -- Idris Elba wants to build an eco-friendly smart city in Sierra Leone.

The 51-year-old star is working with Siaka Stevens, his childhood friend, to develop a smart city on Sherbro Island, after the region was given autonomy by the government of Sierra Leone in order to allow the construction work to go ahead.

Speaking to the BBC, Idris shared: "Originally we went there thinking how could we bring tourism to the most incredible 19 miles of beachfront."

Idris hopes to help install wind-powered renewable electricity in Sierra Leone for the first time.

And the actor admits that it's a highly ambitious project.

The London-born star said: "It's a dream, you know, but I work in the make-believe business.

"It's ab...