Saygbe said the facility will operate under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with NaFAA competitively recruiting a private firm to manage it.
KLAY, Bomi County – The Government of Liberia, through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), in partnership with the World Bank, has broken ground for the reconstruction of a modern fish hatchery in Klay, Bomi County, aimed at enhancing food security, improving trade, and transforming Liberia’s aquaculture sector.
By Obediah Johnson, [email protected]
The project is a key component of the US$40 million Liberia Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project (LSMFP), signed in 2021 to improve fisheries management and support livelihoods.
During the groundbreaking ceremony over the weekend, NaFAA Acting Director General Cyrus Saygbe said the hatchery will address long-standing challenges faced by local fish farmers, including limited access to affordable, high-quality fingerlings.
“For too long, our fish farmers have been constrained by supply shortages and high import costs,” Saygbe said. “This facility marks a turning point—ensuring self-reliance, reducing production costs, and enabling local farmers to compete.”
The hatchery will not only produce commercial-grade fingerlings but also serve as a center for training, research, and innovation. It will include a research and development wing focused on local fish feed production and collaborate with institutions like CARI to develop evidence-based aquaculture practices tailored to Liberia’s environment.
Saygbe said the facility will operate under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with NaFAA competitively recruiting a private firm to manage it. He noted the model would attract investment, stimulate innovation, and link producers to markets, buyers, and processors.
NaFAA also plans to assign a dedicated team of specialists to provide technical support, capacity building, and extension services to fish farmers nationwide.
World Bank Country Manager Georgia Wallen hailed the project as a milestone in the bank’s partnership with Liberia and a critical step toward improving food security and livelihoods.
“This hatchery will provide a sustainable source of affordable protein, job opportunities for women and youth, and open up growth for smallholder farmers and the private sector,” Wallen said.
She emphasized that the initiative supports key pillars of President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST agenda, including agriculture, research, and economic empowerment.
Wallen reaffirmed the World Bank’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development, highlighting the sector’s potential to drive inclusive growth and resilience.
