By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
The World Bank has commenced an Implementation Support Mission in Liberia to assess progress under the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project (LSMFP).
A multi-million-dollar initiative aimed at strengthening governance, boosting productivity, and modernizing the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sectors.
The mission, implemented through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), forms part of the Bank’s routine supervision of funded projects and focuses on evaluating implementation performance, enhancing technical capacity, and ensuring the timely and quality delivery of planned interventions.
According to an official statement issued Tuesday, the review covers a wide range of priority investments, including preparatory activities for the construction of a modern fisheries complex.
The implementation of an aquapreneurs incubation program, which will culminate in the competitive distribution of fiberglass fishing canoes; and the renovation of NaFAA’s regional headquarters in Harper, Maryland County.
The mission is also examining complementary interventions such as the establishment of a dedicated call center to strengthen the Fisheries Information Management System (FIMS); the development of a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) framework to attract private-sector participation; construction of a 1.2-kilometer access road; and the formulation of a comprehensive Fisheries Strategy and Investment Plan.
NaFAA disclosed that the 10-Year Fisheries Strategic and Investment Plan (2026–2035) is scheduled for official launch during the National Fisheries Investment Conference, slated for March 30–31, 2026. The conference is expected to be officiated by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
Led by World Bank Task Team Leader Ms. Ngao Mubanga, the mission will conduct field visits to the manufacturing site of Kru and Fanti fiberglass fishing canoes, engage beneficiaries of the Women’s Empowerment Grant Program, and inspect the Klay Fish Hatchery construction site in Bomi County.
These visits according to the statement will assess implementation progress, quality standards, and compliance with environmental and social safeguard requirements.
Collectively, the investments under the LSMFP are designed to strengthen Liberia’s fisheries value chain by expanding access to improved fingerlings, increasing the availability of locally produced fish feed, and upgrading production and post-harvest infrastructure.
Upon completion, the Klay Fish Hatchery is expected to significantly boost national capacity for breeding and distributing improved fish species, while the associated commercial feed mill is projected to reduce dependence on imported feed, lower production costs, and enhance productivity and competitiveness among fish farmers nationwide.
The Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project (LSMFP) is a World Bank-funded program that adopts a holistic and integrated approach to sector development.
This project focuses on governance and management reforms, human and institutional capacity building, and improved performance across the fisheries value chain to promote sustainable growth and food security.
