The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) officially launch the highly anticipated Kpongama 2026 National Fisheries Investment Conference today, marking a historic step in Liberia's journey toward a sustainable and investment-driven Blue Economy.
The conference, themed "Unlocking the Blue Horizons: The Future of Fisheries and the Blue Economy," brings together international investors, policymakers, and sector experts to explore and accelerate opportunities within Liberia's fisheries and aquaculture sector.
Speaking during a press briefing over the weekend ahead of today's conference, NaFAA Director General J. Cyrus Saygbe Jr. emphasized the significance of the event, saying, "Today's engagement is more than a briefing -- it is an invitation to witness history in the making.
He highlighted that fisheries remain a cornerstone of Liberia's development, supporting food security, generating employment, sustaining livelihoods, and contributing significantly to national growth.
Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn
"Beyond what we see today lies an ocean of opportunity -- investment opportunities that this conference seeks to bring boldly to the forefront," Saygbe added.
Kpongama 2026 is being held at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County from March 30-31, 2026, and features participants from 21 countries across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America, including Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire, Zambia, Uganda, Somalia, Italy, Togo, South Africa, China, the United States, Turkey, Spain, Lebanon, Mauritania, Kenya, United Arab Emirates, and Slovenia.
Participants include private investors, international companies, fisheries experts, development partners, policymakers, moderators, and industry leaders -- all converging on Liberia with the shared goal of investing in the future of the country's Blue Economy.
The conference will feature a historic Opening Ceremony, during which President Joseph Nyuma Boakai will deliver the keynote address and officially launch three transformative policy documents: a 10-Year Strategic Plan for Liberia's fisheries sector, a National Fisheries Investment Plan, and a Public-Private Partnership Strategy.
These documents will guide sector growth, investment, and governance in the years ahead. High-level regional and international speakers are also expected, including the Chairman of the FCWC and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy of Nigeria, the Secretary of State in Charge of Fisheries of Morocco, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development of Ghana, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources of Sierra Leone, the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Liberia, UNDP Resident Representative, World Bank Country Manager for Liberia, and Cabinet Ministers of the Republic of Liberia.
At the opening, NaFAA will also sign several major partnerships, including collaboration with Orange Liberia to operationalize Liberia's first semi-industrial fiberglass fishing vessel, the Sea King, and a private-sector agreement to renovate and operationalize the Robertsport Fishing Cluster in Grand Cape Mount County. These initiatives are expected to generate jobs, enhance local capacities, and stimulate private sector investment.
Liberia will showcase three major bankable investment proposals during the conference: Liberia Industrial Fishing Harbour, Liberia Industrial Fishing Fleet, and Liberia Industrial Integrated Aquaculture and Inland Off-Taker Farms. These projects form the backbone of Liberia's fisheries modernization agenda and signal the country's openness to investment.
Kpongama 2026 features a highly structured program, including a lead moderator and co-moderator guiding the proceedings, two days of technical sessions, and nine thematic sessions covering fisheries and the Blue Economy as drivers of economic transformation, sustainable fisheries governance, investment in aquaculture and inland fisheries, financing the Blue Economy, climate resilience and environmental sustainability, value addition, trade and market access, technology, innovation and skills development, community development and social inclusion, and strengthening partnerships for Blue Economy growth. The sessions will feature 44 panelists, including 12 Liberian experts and 32 international experts, ensuring robust dialogue and actionable outcomes.
Rajie R. Adams, Deputy Director for Research, Policy, and Planning at the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), stressed the economic importance of fisheries, saying, "The fisheries sector is part of the primary sector within our economy, yet its contribution to GDP is less than 4 percent. We import fish despite having abundant coastal waters. This conference is critical to boosting domestic production, food security, and job creation. The Central Bank fully supports this initiative, recognizing that agriculture and fisheries are essential to national economic growth."
NaFAA emphasized that the conference aligns with the Government of Liberia's ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, integrating fisheries and aquaculture into national priorities across agriculture, roads, rule of law, education, sanitation, and tourism. Fisheries and aquaculture enhance food security and nutrition, improve market access, strengthen governance, build human capital, promote safe handling and processing practices, and create opportunities for fisheries-based tourism and Blue Economy development.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
NaFAA also expressed gratitude to its key partners, including the World Bank, OPEC Fund for International Development, European Union, UNDP, and Orange Liberia, whose technical, financial, and strategic support has been instrumental in advancing Liberia's fisheries transformation.
Ms. Cassandra Hampton, CEO of Golden Touch Corporation, a Liberian firm hired to manage the event, noted: "Unlike other conferences that are just big gatherings, Kpongama 2026 is designed to deliver concrete outcomes. Discussions are already underway, and the results will be tangible -- jobs, investments, and industrial growth in Liberia's fisheries sector."
As Liberia welcomes stakeholders from around the world, Kpongama 2026 signals a bold declaration: the country is ready to harness its Blue Economy, attract global investment, and transform its fisheries sector into a major driver of national growth. "The tide is rising. The opportunities are here. And Liberia is ready for business. Once again -- KPONGAMA IS HERE!" Director General Saygbe proclaimed.
