Africa-Press – Liberia. The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) has officially launched preparations for the 2026 Fisheries Investment Conference, a landmark event designed to unlock new investment, expand innovation, and reposition Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture sector for long-term sustainability and economic growth.
Launching the initiative in Monrovia, Acting Director General J. Cyrus Saygbe, Sr. described the conference as a transformative opportunity—one that will determine how Liberia manages, invests in, and derives value from one of its most critical natural resource sectors.
“This event is not merely a gathering,” Saygbe stressed. “It is a platform to unlock investment, stimulate innovation, and forge partnerships that will underpin the modernization and expansion of Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.”
Liberia’s fisheries sector supports the livelihoods of thousands and remains a major pillar of food security. Yet, despite abundant marine resources and strong regional demand, the sector continues to operate far below its potential.
For years, national revenue has depended largely on fees from industrial fishing vessel licenses—an arrangement that experts say exposes the country to fluctuations in vessel activity and external market conditions. Infrastructure remains weak, artisanal communities lack modern equipment, aquaculture is underdeveloped, and value-addition facilities are scarce.
Saygbe acknowledged this reality, noting that the sector is “surviving rather than progressing,” a situation the Boakai administration has vowed to change.
Scheduled for March 30–31, 2026, the conference will bring together global and local investors, fisheries policymakers, technology firms, aquaculture innovators, and development partners. Others include regional and international organizations, and community-level actors.
The event is being organized under the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project and managed by Global Touch/Golden Touch Corporation (GTC), a Liberian-owned firm recruited through a World Bank-run competitive procurement process.
Saygbe noted that the conference forms one of the core pillars of NaFAA’s new resource mobilization strategy, endorsed by its Board of Directors, which aims to expand the authority’s financial base beyond industrial licensing revenue.
Building the Roadmap for the Next Decade
In addition to conference planning, NaFAA is developing three major strategic instruments a 10-year fisheries strategic plan, a fisheries investment plan, and a national aquaculture strategy.
These documents will shape policy direction, private sector participation, and community empowerment for years to come.
Saygbe clarified during the Q&A session that while GTC is coordinating the conference, the strategic plan is being prepared by a separate consultancy firm.
“GTC was selected based on merit, innovation, and compliance with international procurement standards,” he said. “Their role is event execution—not policymaking.”
NaFAA plans to unveil the strategic documents at the 2026 conference under the new brand “BOGWEMA,” a local term meaning “group gathering”, symbolizing inclusiveness and collective progress.
Saygbe announced that in the coming weeks, GTC will begin extensive consultations with stakeholders across the value chain, including artisanal fishermen and women’s groups, fish processors and traders, industrial vessel operators, and government agencies. Others are technology and cold-chain providers, and investors and development partners.
These engagements will help shape conference sessions, investment showcases, panel discussions, and exhibitions.
“Your voices, ideas, and experiences are essential,” Saygbe urged. “We want an agenda that reflects national priorities, community needs, and emerging investment opportunities.”
Early registration has already opened through a dedicated GTC-developed online portal.
Highlighting the administration’s support for small-scale fishing communities, Saygbe referenced President Joseph N. Boakai’s recent decision to reduce artisanal canoe license fees, calling it evidence of a “listening government.”
He encouraged fisherfolk across Liberia’s nine coastal counties to prepare for new financing, training, and innovation opportunities that will accompany the investment drive.
To celebrate local producers and promote domestic consumption, NaFAA announced it will hold its first Fisheries Fish Market Day on Thursday, December 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The initiative will showcase locally harvested and processed fish, highlight the contributions of women, particularly fishmongers, and create market linkages with hotels, supermarkets, and processors
Saygbe acknowledged the essential role women play in Liberia’s fisheries economy:
“For decades, our women—especially fishmongers—have sustained this sector under extremely challenging conditions. Their work must be recognized and supported.”
Concluding the ceremony, Saygbe extended appreciation on behalf of NaFAA’s Board of Directors, management, and staff, thanking development partners, investors, and community representatives for their consistent support.
He formally declared the 2026 Fisheries Investment Conference launched, emphasizing its importance for Liberia’s economic future.
“With shared purpose and commitment,” he said, “we can build a future where Liberia’s fishery resources generate greater value, create sustainable jobs, and remain a cornerstone of economic prosperity for generations to come.”
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