By By: Staff Writer
Dakhla, Kingdom of Morocco – Liberia has called for greater African ownership and leadership in the development of the continent’s blue economy during its first-ever participation in the Seafood 4 Africa 2026 Conference held in Dakhla, Morocco.
The appeal was made by the Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Hon. J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr., who attended the high-level forum alongside Liberia’s Consul General in Dakhla, Hon. Johnnie F. Fallah. The event brought together policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to discuss the future of fisheries and aquaculture in Africa.
Speaking as a special guest representative of African countries, Hon. Saygbe described the conference as a defining moment for the continent’s maritime and aquatic sectors.
“Seafood 4 Africa is more than a conference; it is a declaration that Africa is ready to take ownership of its blue economy, steward its aquatic resources responsibly, and transform them into engines of inclusive growth, food security, and shared prosperity,” he said.
The NaFAA Director General highlighted Liberia’s ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening fisheries governance, promoting sustainable aquaculture, and creating an enabling environment for private-sector investment. He stressed that regional collaboration remains critical in tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which continues to threaten marine resources and livelihoods across Africa.
Hon. Saygbe also underscored the need for collective action to protect marine ecosystems, noting that sustainable management of fisheries is essential for long-term economic growth and environmental resilience.
On the margins of the conference, Hon. Saygbe and Consul General Fallah held discussions with leading Moroccan fisheries companies and potential investors. The engagements were part of efforts to build momentum ahead of Liberia’s first post-war National Fisheries Investment Conference, scheduled for March 30–31, 2026, in Monrovia. The upcoming conference is expected to attract strategic investments and unlock new opportunities in Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture value chains.
Liberia’s participation in Seafood 4 Africa 2026 followed proactive diplomatic engagement by the Liberian Consulate in Dakhla in July 2025. That engagement included consultations with the President of the Dakhla Chamber of Commerce and Services, who also heads the Seafood 4 Africa Annual Conference, paving the way for Liberia’s inclusion in the continental forum.
The government says its involvement in such regional and international platforms reflects a growing commitment to position Liberia as a key player in Africa’s blue economy, while advancing sustainable development, food security, and job creation.
