{"id":16805,"date":"2026-01-05T14:11:52","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T14:11:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nfic2026.com\/?p=16805"},"modified":"2026-01-05T14:11:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T14:11:53","slug":"nafaa-launches-preparations-for-the-2026-fisheries-investment-conference-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nfic2026.com\/ar\/uncategorized\/nafaa-launches-preparations-for-the-2026-fisheries-investment-conference-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"NaFAA Launches Preparations for the 2026 Fisheries Investment Conference 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NaFAA Launches Preparations for the 2026 Fisheries Investment Conference 2026
BUSHROD ISLAND, MONROVIA \u2014 The Government of Liberia, through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), has officially began preparations for the 2026 Fisheries Investment Conference, locally called \u201cKpongama ,\u201d which means “The Gathering\u201d in the Kpelle language. The announcement was made on Tuesday during a press conference at NaFAA\u2019s headquarters on Bushrod Island, signaling the start of what is expected to become one of West Africa\u2019s most significant blue economy gatherings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Scheduled for March 30\u201331, 2026, the conference aims to attract global investors, policymakers, scientists, and development partners to explore and unlock the potential of Liberia\u2019s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Acting Director General Cyrus S. Saygbe described the launch as the start of a transformative journey for the sector. \u201cToday marks the beginning of our journey toward a landmark event\u2026 which will convene global investors, innovators, policymakers, and leaders committed to sustainable fisheries and aquaculture,\u201d he said.
Saygbe underscored the urgency for reform and innovation within Liberia\u2019s fisheries sector. Despite being a vital engine for livelihoods and food security, he noted that the sector has been surviving rather than progressing, held back by limited investment, a narrow revenue base, and outdated systems. \u201cOur fisheries sector, while vital, is currently surviving rather than progressing,\u201d he said. \u201cThis Government\u2026 has prioritized diversifying revenue streams for NaFAA\u2014moving away from over-reliance on industrial vessel licensing toward more reliable and sustainable sources of revenue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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He stressed that Kpongama is not intended to be a ceremonial event but a serious platform for meaningful transformation. \u201cThis event is not merely a gathering; it is a platform to unlock investments, stimulate innovation, and forge partnerships that will underpin the modernization and expansion of the sector,\u201d Saygbe said.
Despite a 580-kilometer coastline and rich inland water bodies, Liberia imports more than 33,000 metric tons of fish annually. Weak governance systems, insufficient cold storage and market infrastructure, limited aquaculture development, post-harvest losses, and the ongoing threat of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing continue to suppress national production. International institutions\u2014including the World Bank, FAO, and AfDB\u2014have referred to Liberia\u2019s fisheries as a \u201csleeping giant\u201d with the potential to become a major driver of economic growth, job creation, and food security if properly harnessed.
As part of the conference, NaFAA will officially launch three major policy instruments that will shape the future of Liberia\u2019s fisheries over the next decade: the Liberia Fisheries Strategic Plan, the Fisheries Investment Plan, and a comprehensive National Aquaculture Strategy. These frameworks will guide the sector\u2019s modernization through strengthened governance, scientific research, climate resilience, value chain upgrades, aquaculture expansion, and increased private-sector participation.
Saygbe explained that the conference will bring together national leaders, regional fisheries bodies, international donors, private operators, artisanal fishing groups, women\u2019s cooperatives, youth organizations, and academic institutions. Discussions will explore financing opportunities, public\u2013private partnerships, innovations in monitoring and surveillance, export facilitation, infrastructure modernization, and climate-smart fisheries development. The conference will also amplify Liberia\u2019s role in regional cooperation efforts, particularly in combating IUU fishing and standardizing fisheries governance.
A highlight of Kpongama will be the Blue Investment Marketplace, an immersive showcase of Liberia\u2019s top investment opportunities and sector assets. Exhibits will range from aquaculture demonstrations and hatchery models to landing-site infrastructure, cold chain technologies, boat manufacturing, fish feed production, fisheries laboratory systems, and research partnerships. The Marketplace will serve as a direct matchmaking hub between investors and project developers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


To ensure successful execution, Saygbe announced that Golden Touch Corporation has been competitively selected to lead the conference\u2019s preparation and delivery. The firm will immediately begin extensive consultations across the fisheries value chain, engaging artisanal fishers, private operators, development partners, community leaders, and regional actors. \u201cYour input will be instrumental in identifying viable investment opportunities, promoting innovative solutions, and strengthening the systems that support sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture growth,\u201d he told stakeholders.
Early registration for the conference has now opened, enabling institutions, companies, and individuals to secure participation and exhibition space ahead of the March event.
Sangbe reaffirmed NaFAA\u2019s commitment to building a modern, inclusive, and resilient fisheries sector. \u201cTogether\u2014government, private sector, development partners, and communities\u2014we can build a future where Liberia\u2019s fisheries resources generate greater value, create sustainable jobs, and remain a cornerstone of economic prosperity for generations to come,\u201d he said.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

NaFAA Launches Preparations for the 2026 Fisheries Investment Conference 2026BUSHROD ISLAND, MONROVIA \u2014 The Government of Liberia, through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), has officially began preparations for the 2026 Fisheries Investment Conference, locally called \u201cKpongama ,\u201d which means “The Gathering\u201d in the Kpelle language. The announcement was made on Tuesday during a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16806,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16805","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nfic2026.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16805","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nfic2026.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nfic2026.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nfic2026.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nfic2026.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16805"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/nfic2026.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16805\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16815,"href":"https:\/\/nfic2026.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16805\/revisions\/16815"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nfic2026.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16806"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nfic2026.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16805"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nfic2026.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16805"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nfic2026.com\/ar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16805"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}