Monrovia, Liberia – The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), J. Cyrus Saygbe Sr., has concluded a one-week official working visit to the Kingdom of Morocco, securing key cooperation commitments and exploring major investment opportunities aimed at advancing Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture sector.
The visit, which focused on strengthening bilateral relations and attracting investment into Liberia’s fisheries industry, forms part of broader efforts to modernize the sector, improve food security, and expand employment opportunities through sustainable blue economy initiatives.
During his stay in Morocco, Director General Saygbe participated in the Sea Safety for Fisheries Workshop in Tangier, organized by the Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation Among African States Bordering the Atlantic Ocean (ATLAFCO). Addressing participants at the opening of the event, Saygbe underscored the importance of enhanced regional cooperation and a united African approach to improving maritime safety for fisherfolks across the continent.
Following the workshop, the NaFAA Director General traveled to Rabat and Casablanca, where he engaged in high-level meetings with Morocco’s Minister of State for Fisheries, Zakia Driouch, and Hassan Sentissi El Idrissi, President of the Association of Moroccan Exporters (ASMEX).
Discussions between Liberian and Moroccan authorities centered on strengthening collaboration in fisheries stock assessment, technical and vocational training for Liberian fisheries and aquaculture professionals, fisheries value addition, and the development of fisheries landing sites in Liberia.
According to NaFAA, both countries are expected to formalize these commitments through a bilateral cooperation agreement scheduled for signing in July 2026.
The visit also opened discussions on major private sector investments in Liberia’s fisheries sector. Talks explored opportunities to mobilize financing for the construction of Liberia’s first industrial fishing port, the establishment of an industrial fishing fleet beginning with two shrimp fishing vessels, and investments in aquaculture and inland fisheries development.
In a significant development, representatives of Green Table expressed interest in serving as a potential off-taker of fisheries products harvested in Liberia, a move expected to create new market opportunities and strengthen the country’s fisheries export capacity.
As part of the official engagement, Director General Saygbe toured Morocco’s National Fishing Vessel Monitoring Center to study advanced vessel monitoring technologies and surveillance systems used to combat Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.
NaFAA said the visit aligns with Liberia’s broader strategy to implement commitments emerging from the Liberia Fisheries and Aquaculture Investment Conference held in March 2026 and to deepen international partnerships that support sustainable fisheries management, food security, job creation, and economic growth through the blue economy.
