By Pewu Y. Sumo
MONROVIA – The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), J. Cyrus Saygbe, Sr., in his appearance on Thursday, March 5, 2026 at the Ministry of Information (MOI) regular press briefing provided a high-stakes update on Liberia’s upcoming premier fisheries event: the National Fisheries Investment Conference 2026.
Locally branded as “Kpongama”—a Kpelle term meaning “group gathering”—the conference is scheduled to take place from March 30–31, 2026, at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County.
Aligning with the ARREST Agenda
Director General Saygbe emphasized that the conference is not merely a meeting, but a strategic alignment with President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s ARREST Agenda (Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism). By focusing on “bread and butter” issues, NaFAA aims to transform the fisheries sector from a subsistence-based industry into a commercial powerhouse that puts money directly into the pockets of rural Liberians.
“Our goal is to move away from over-reliance on industrial vessel licensing and instead tap into the vast, untapped potential of our own waters,” Saygbe stated.
A Global Stage for Local Resources
The conference serves as a platform to inform the world that Liberia is “open for business” in the blue economy. Key highlights of the upcoming event include:
Inclusive Planning: The conference has been designed to include everyone from high-level international investors to local artisanal fishermen and women “fishmongers.”
The Blue Market Place: A dedicated exhibition space where Liberian fish farmers will showcase high-value species and processed fish products.
Technological Advancement: The introduction of Blue Tracker technology to monitor vessel movements and enhance maritime security, aligning with the ECOWAS maritime framework.
Strategic Partnerships: Three major agreements are set to be signed, including a landmark five-year partnership with Orange Liberia for digital payment systems and a management contract for the Sea King semi-industrial vessel.
Conference Agenda & Leadership
The two-day event will feature a heavy-hitting lineup of moderators and speakers:
Day One: A guest moderator from Cape Coast, Ghana, will lead discussions on regional cooperation.
Blue Economy Finance: A critical session on financing the sector will be moderated by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Dehpue Zuo.
President Joseph Boakai is expected to officially launch the 10-Year National Fisheries Strategic Plan, a roadmap designed to revitalize the sector through 2036.
Revitalizing Robertsport
A major focus of the investment drive is the Robertsport Fisheries Cluster in Grand Cape Mount County. A five-year agreement will be signed to revitalize this hub, aiming to create thousands of jobs and establish a dedicated landing site to prevent the current “leakage” of Liberian fish being landed in neighboring countries.
With counterparts from Morocco and Nigeria expected to attend, Liberia is positioning itself to learn from regional leaders while showcasing its own 579 kilometers of “Blue Gold” coastline to the world.
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