BANGKOK, Thailand, October 16, 2026 – Liberia’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) is seeking increased World Bank support and private sector investment to expand fisheries production, create jobs, and improve livelihoods in fishing communities across the country.
NaFAA Director General J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr. made the appeal during high-level discussions with World Bank Director for Environment and Blue Economy Valerie Hickey on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group in Bangkok, Thailand.
The discussions focused on progress under the World Bank-supported Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project (LSMFP) and opportunities to attract additional investment into the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
According to a NaFAA press release, Saygbe disclosed that disbursement under the project had exceeded 80 percent, highlighting progress in fisheries management, aquaculture development, livelihood support, and preparations for infrastructure investments.
He emphasized that sustained financing would be critical to consolidating these achievements and creating opportunities for private businesses to invest in the sector.
The NaFAA boss identified aquaculture, fish processing, cold storage, transportation, and fisheries infrastructure as potential areas for commercial investment.
He argued that addressing infrastructure gaps and improving the business environment would attract investors, expand local production, and enable Liberia to retain more economic benefits from its fisheries resources.
Saygbe stressed that increased investment must translate into tangible benefits for Liberians, particularly women and young people, through employment, entrepreneurship, higher productivity, and improved incomes.
He also highlighted the sector’s potential to strengthen food security, promote economic diversification, and contribute to national development through sustainable fisheries management.
For her part, World Bank Director Valerie Hickey commended the progress reported under the LSMFP, describing its implementation as a significant turnaround.
She emphasized the importance of sustaining the gains through continued collaboration, strategic investment, and greater private sector participation.
Hickey also underscored the need to create an enabling environment for businesses to invest, expand production, and generate employment.
The discussions highlighted the importance of combining public investment in infrastructure and institutional capacity with private enterprise to improve productivity and competitiveness in Liberia’s fisheries sector.
NaFAA reaffirmed its commitment to working with the World Bank and other development partners to expand investment opportunities while promoting sustainable resource management and improved livelihoods.
However, the release did not announce any new financing commitment resulting from the meeting. – Press Release
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