Liberia stands at a pivotal crossroads in its economic development, where the tides of opportunity are being squandered—not by lack of resources, but by the absence of infrastructure. The revelation that Liberia loses an estimated US$17 million annually to Senegal due to the lack of a functional fishing port is more than a fiscal footnote; it is a national wake-up call.
This hemorrhage of potential revenue, confirmed by the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), underscores a systemic failure that has allowed foreign economies to capitalize on Liberia’s rich marine bounty. Fishing vessels operating in Liberian waters are forced to dock and offload in Senegal, diverting not only export earnings but also thousands of jobs that should be fueling Liberia’s domestic economy.
The Port That Could Anchor Prosperity
At the heart of this issue is a glaring logistical gap. Without a fishing port, Liberia forfeits the entire value chain—processing, packaging, and exporting—that transforms raw catch into economic gold. The ripple effect is profound: lost income for boat operators, idle ice factories, dormant processing plants, and missed transportation contracts. This is not just about fish; it’s about the ecosystem of livelihoods that a port would nourish.
Fortunately, NaFAA, under the leadership of Director General J. Cyrus Saygbe, Sr., is charting a corrective course. In partnership with the World Bank, the authority has initiated the design phase for a modern fishing port, with blueprints expected by December 2025. The projected US$26 million investment promises to create over 300 direct jobs and unlock Liberia’s full potential in fish export and processing.
Beyond the Port: Building a Blue Economy
But the vision doesn’t stop at the shoreline. Liberia’s fisheries strategy is ambitiously holistic. With the country importing 17,000 metric tons of fish annually, NaFAA aims to slash this dependency by 75% by 2029. The linchpin? A pioneering integrated industrial fish farm that will not only produce fish but also generate fish-based products—powder, oil, chips—for national programs like school feeding initiatives. This approach marries nutrition, economic empowerment, and market stability.
The recent addition of a semi-industrial fishing vessel, valued at US$800,000 and capable of handling 200,000 metric tons, further signals Liberia’s intent to reclaim its maritime sovereignty. It’s a strategic upgrade that enhances national capacity and reduces reliance on foreign fleets.
A Vision Worth Investing In
Director Saygbe’s vision is clear: a self-sufficient fisheries industry that drives economic growth, reduces import dependency, and creates sustainable jobs. This is not merely a sectoral reform—it is a blueprint for national renewal. The fisheries sector, long overlooked, is emerging as a cornerstone of Liberia’s development architecture.
Liberia must now rally behind this initiative. The fishing port is not just an infrastructure project—it is a symbol of economic justice, a vessel for job creation, and a gateway to maritime dignity. The time to anchor prosperity is now.
