{"id":18600,"date":"2025-08-06T18:43:47","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T17:43:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maritimafrica.com\/en\/?p=18600"},"modified":"2025-08-06T18:43:47","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T17:43:47","slug":"liberias-fisheries-chief-calls-for-strong-public-private-partnerships-to-drive-aquaculture-growth-in-west-and-central-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maritimafrica.com\/en\/liberias-fisheries-chief-calls-for-strong-public-private-partnerships-to-drive-aquaculture-growth-in-west-and-central-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Liberia\u2019s Fisheries Chief Calls for Strong Public-Private Partnerships to Drive Aquaculture Growth in West and Central Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Acting Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) of Liberia and Chairperson of the Fisheries Committee for the West and Central Gulf of Guinea (FCWC),\u00a0Mr. J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr.,<\/b>\u00a0has emphasized that the future of aquaculture in the region must be anchored in robust public-private partnerships (PPPs).<\/p>\n

Speaking at the\u00a0Second Regional Seminar on Aquaculture Development<\/b>, held in Abidjan on Monday, Mr. Saygbe asserted that \u201cout of every 100 jobs created globally, nearly 90 are driven by the private sector.<\/b>\u00a0This remarkable statistic underscores a truth we must all embrace: if we are to stimulate inclusive growth, create jobs, and transform livelihoods, especially through aquaculture, the private sector must be front and center in our strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The high-level seminar, co-organized by\u00a0MIRAH C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire<\/b>\u00a0and supported by\u00a0JICA<\/b>, brings together public and private sector actors across FCWC Member States to explore strategies for boosting aquaculture investment and industrialization in West and Central Africa.<\/p>\n

Highlighting Liberia\u2019s example, Mr. Saygbe revealed that the country is\u00a0reconstructing government-owned hatcheries and feed mills<\/b>\u00a0which will be managed by the private sector under a PPP framework. He emphasized that this initiative reflects Liberia\u2019s shift\u00a0from subsistence fish farming to an industrial aquaculture model<\/b>, capable of attracting sustainable private sector investment.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs President of the FCWC, I recognize the urgent need to scale up aquaculture production,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is not only critical for meeting the growing nutritional needs of our populations but also essential for creating employment opportunities\u2014especially for youth and women\u2014and for reducing the pressure on our overexploited marine resources.\u201d<\/p>\n

He further noted that\u00a0governments across the FCWC region<\/b>\u00a0are actively seeking innovative and inclusive approaches to unlock the sector\u2019s potential, and called for a unified regional commitment to transform aquaculture through collaboration.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis seminar could not have come at a better time,\u201d he added. \u201cIt provides a critical platform to share experiences, reflect on shared challenges, and explore investment-driven solutions that align with global development goals\u2014SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water)<\/b>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr. Saygbe also made several key announcements during his address:<\/p>\n