Liberia to Host National Fisheries Investment Conference to Unlock Blue Economy Potential
The Liberia is set to host a major event focused on advancing its blue economy. On March 30–31, 2026, the Farmington Hotel in Harbel, Margibi County, will host the National Fisheries Investment Conference (NFIC), KPONGAMA, organized by the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) on behalf of the Government of Liberia.
Held under the theme “Unlocking the Blue Horizon: The Future of Fisheries and The Blue Economy,” the conference aims to position the fisheries sector as a key driver of inclusive and sustainable growth.
A Strategic Sector for National Development
Liberia’s fisheries sector plays a crucial role in food security, employment, and economic development. The country boasts significant marine assets, including:
- approximately 579 km of Atlantic coastline;
- a continental shelf averaging 31 km in width;
- an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of about 18,400 km².
Biologically, Liberia’s waters support both pelagic and demersal assemblages. Oceanic pelagics principally tuna and tuna like species (e.g., bigeye, yellowfin, skipjack, bonito, marlin), sustain a modest but commercially important industrial tuna fishery. The continental shelf broadens to the south toward the Gulf of Guinea; absence of Canary Current upwelling reduces small pelagic productivity relative to northern neighbours, yet substantial seasonal riverine discharge and productive estuaries underpin valuable shrimp grounds and diverse demersal stocks. A 2024 resource assessment estimated total exploitable biomass at ~348,503 t (pelagic is 94,000 t; demersal is 254,503 t), with 13 key pelagic and 50 demersal species identified.
Artisanal fisheries dominate production (~28,000 t yr–1) and employ ~5,648 canoes across coastal and estuarine zones. Industrial production is limited: tuna ~17,000 t yr–1 from 31 licensed access vessels, demersal trawl ~6,000 t yr–1 from six trawlers, and scarlet deep water shrimp production ≈70 t yr–1, indicating high-value niche potential.
Strong International Support
The event is supported by key development partners, including the World Bank through the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project (LSMFP), Pro-Blue, the European Union, Orange Liberia, and the OPEC Fund.
The National Fisheries Investment Conference (NFIC) is Liberia’s premier platform for mobilizing investment, strengthening partnerships, and shaping the future of the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
It will bring together policymakers, investors, development partners, technical experts, and coastal communities to shape the future of Liberia’s blue economy.
Objectives of the Conference
The NFIC aims to promote fisheries and the blue economy as key drivers of inclusive economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development in Liberia.
Specifically, the conference seeks to:
- showcase Liberia’s fisheries, aquaculture, and blue economy investment opportunities to national, regional, and international investors;
- strengthen policy dialogue on sustainable fisheries management, governance, and institutional reforms;
- promote Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) across fisheries and aquaculture value chains;
- enhance coordination among Government institutions, development partners, the private sector, and coastal communities;
- agree on concrete actions, partnerships, and priority projects for implementation.
A Platform for Innovation and Investment
The event features high-level policy dialogues, technical sessions, and a dedicated Blue Investment Marketplace for showcasing innovative solutions across the Fisheries and Aquaculture value chain.
For more information and to register, please visit the website: https://nfic2026.com/
