Liberia’s Fisheries Sector Enters a New Digital Era with Launch of FIMS

The Government of Liberia, through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), has taken a groundbreaking step toward modernizing fisheries governance with the official launch of the Fisheries Information Management System (FIMS). This innovative digital platform, unveiled in Grand Cape Mount County, is designed to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the management of Liberia’s fisheries sector. With FIMS now fully operational, the processing and issuance of fishing licenses and permits will be completed in less than 24 hours a remarkable improvement from the prolonged manual procedures that once characterized the system. The launch represents a major reform milestone under the Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project, with generous support from the World Bank. By digitizing fisheries services, FIMS is expected to eliminate revenue leakages, dismantle cumbersome bureaucratic procedures, reduce unnecessary burdens on stakeholders, and completely cut out middlemen from government revenue collection. Although the platform was developed two years ago, it remained dormant and underutilized. Its activation today signals a new era for fisheries governance, underscoring the government’s resolve to move beyond rhetoric and deliver tangible reforms. Speaking at the launch, J. Cyrus Saygbe, Acting director general of  NaFAA emphasized that the digitalization of fisheries management will not only safeguard vital marine resources but also improve service delivery, strengthen compliance with international standards, and boost investor confidence in Liberia’s blue economy. “Fisheries management in Liberia just got faster, smarter, and more transparent,” Mr. Saygbe declared. “With FIMS, we are building a future where accountability and efficiency are at the heart of how we manage this critical sector.” The Government of Liberia reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the fisheries sector contributes meaningfully to national growth, food security, and sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.