MONROVIA – Liberia is intensifying efforts to transform its fisheries sector into a major driver of economic growth through a national investment conference aimed at attracting international partners and unlocking the country’s blue economy potential. Organized by the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), the upcoming forum will highlight Liberia’s vast but underutilized marine resources while presenting concrete investment opportunities in industrial fishing, aquaculture, and fisheries infrastructure. Officials say the initiative reflects a strategic push to expand production, create jobs, and strengthen food security through sustainable fisheries management. The conference will also position Liberia as a competitive destination for marine-sector investment in West Africa. THE ANALYST reports.
The Government of Liberia, through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), is intensifying efforts to unlock the vast economic potential of the country’s fisheries sector by organizing the first-ever National Fisheries Investment Conference aimed at attracting investment, strengthening partnerships, and expanding opportunities within Liberia’s blue economy.
Addressing journalists at the Ministry of Information’s regular Thursday press briefing, NaFAA Director-General Hon. J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr. said Liberia possesses enormous fisheries resources that remain largely underutilized despite their potential to significantly contribute to national development, food security, and job creation.
Saygbe explained that Liberia’s marine waters contain an estimated 205,000 metric tons of deep-water fish species, yet the country currently harvests only about 53,000 metric tons annually.
He noted that of this amount, approximately 17,000 metric tons are harvested by international industrial vessels, leaving substantial untapped opportunities for Liberia to further benefit from its fisheries resources.
According to him, the upcoming conference is intended to showcase Liberia’s investment opportunities in the fisheries sector while encouraging partnerships that can help maximize the country’s natural resources for the benefit of its citizens.
“This conference will serve as a platform to enhance sustainable fisheries management, create jobs, strengthen food security, and address bread-and-butter issues affecting Liberians both in urban and rural communities,” Saygbe emphasized.
He added that the initiative aligns with broader international and regional frameworks, including the African Union Blue Economy Strategy, the ECOWAS Fisheries and Maritime Framework, and Sustainable Development Goal 14, which focuses on the sustainable use and conservation of oceans and marine resources.
Conference Details
The National Fisheries Investment Conference will be held from March 30–31 at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County.
Saygbe noted that the venue was selected instead of the Ministerial Complex due to ongoing construction work at the complex, which could create logistical challenges for international guests attending the event.
The two-day conference will feature a series of high-level discussions, exhibitions, and networking opportunities designed to attract investors and stakeholders interested in Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
One of the major highlights of the event will be the “Blue Marketplace,” where NaFAA scientists will display and discuss some of Liberia’s high-value fish species while demonstrating the potential of the country’s marine resources.
Development partners will also showcase ongoing fisheries interventions in Liberia, while international experts will introduce innovative technologies aimed at improving fisheries governance and combating illegal fishing.
Among the expected presentations is a demonstration of Blue Tracker Technology, an artificial intelligence–based monitoring system designed to help fight illegal fishing activities.
The technology will be presented by experts from Slovenia, who are partnering with Liberia to explore modern approaches to fisheries monitoring.
Experts from Morocco will also present global best practices in the international fisheries industry, particularly in value addition and fisheries management.
Additionally, Liberian fish farmers and entrepreneurs will display locally produced species such as tilapia and catfish, along with processed fish products that add value to the fisheries sector.
Key Discussions and Expert Panels
The conference will feature several thematic sessions focusing on the development and sustainability of the blue economy.
These sessions will address:
- Fisheries and the blue economy as drivers of economic transformation
- Sustainable fisheries governance and management
- Investment opportunities in aquaculture and inland fisheries
- Financing the blue economy
- Climate resilience and environmental sustainability
- Value addition, trade, and market access
- Technology innovation and skills development
- Community livelihoods and social inclusion
- Strengthening partnerships for blue economy development
Saygbe disclosed that nine experienced professionals will moderate the sessions, including six international and three national experts.
The panels will include 44 panelists, comprising 32 international specialists and 12 Liberian experts.
High-Level Participation
The opening ceremony will feature several high-ranking government officials and international delegates, including fisheries ministers from Morocco, Ghana, and Sierra Leone, as well as other regional representatives.
Liberia’s Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Agriculture, and the Chairman of NaFAA’s Boardare also expected to participate in the official opening session.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakaiis expected to attend the conference where he will launch three major policy and strategic documents aimed at strengthening Liberia’s fisheries sector.
These include, a 10-Year Strategic Plan for Liberia’s Fisheries Sector, a Public-Private Partnership Strategy for fisheries development, and several key partnership agreements designed to boost sector growth
Strategic Agreements and Investment Proposals
Saygbe revealed that three major partnership agreementswill be signed during the conference.
One agreement will be signed with Orange Liberia to expand the use of digital technology and mobile services within the fisheries sector.
Another agreement will operationalize the Sea King Project, a fisheries initiative expected to strengthen the country’s seafood production capacity over the next five years.
A third agreement will support the revitalization of the Mesurado Fisheries Cluster, which has remained largely inactive for several years.
In addition to these partnerships, Liberia will present three bankable investment proposals aimed at attracting investors into key areas of the fisheries industry.
The proposals include the Liberian Industrial Fishing Fleet Project, aimed at enabling Liberia to acquire its own fishing vessels that can be leased to Liberian companies in partnership with international firms; tthe Liberia Industrial Fishing Port and Dock Facility, designed to build a dedicated fisheries port, since Liberia currently lacks a facility specifically for landing and maintaining fishing vessels, and The Liberia Industrial Aquaculture Program, which will establish the country’s first large-scale fish farm in Lofa County, with plans to expand similar facilities to three additional counties.
Saygbe noted that these investments could significantly expand Liberia’s fisheries production capacity while reducing reliance on foreign facilities for vessel maintenance and seafood processing.
Fish Market Day
Meanwhile, the NaFAA Director-General also invited the public to participate in the upcoming Fish Market Day scheduled for March 14 at Invincible Park in Monrovia.
The event, organized in partnership with Orange Liberia and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will feature about 50 local fish processors and sellers displaying a variety of locally produced fish products.
Fish species including catfish, tilapia, grouper, cassava fish, and lobster will be available at affordable prices ranging from US$5 to US$50, with a 10 percent discount for customers using Orange Money.
Saygbe said the initiative is intended to connect local fish producers directly with consumers while promoting the consumption of locally produced seafood.
Development Partners Support
The National Fisheries Investment Conferenceis being supported by several development partners, including the World Bank, which is providing approximately 89 percent of the funding, along with contributions from the European Union, PROBLUE, and Orange Liberia.
Saygbe encouraged Liberians and international investors to participate in the conference and support the transformation of Liberia’s fisheries sector.
He stressed that Liberia possesses the right investment climate and enabling environment necessary to attract businesses and partnerships capable of developing the country’s blue economy.
“With the right investment and partnerships, Liberia can fully utilize its fisheries resources and transform the sector into a major driver of economic growth,” he concluded.