MONROVIA — The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NAFAA) has launched the second edition of its National Fish Market Day, bringing together fish farmers, fishmongers, development partners, and private sector institutions to promote Liberia’s fisheries sector and expand market opportunities for local producers.
The event, held at Invincible Park in Monrovia, is part of a quarterly initiative aimed at connecting Liberian consumers directly with locally harvested fish while supporting thousands of women and small-scale fish farmers who depend on the sector for their livelihoods.
NAFAA Director General J. Cyrus Sengbeh Sr. described fishmongers and fish farmers as the “unsung heroes” of Liberia’s food security system, emphasizing their vital role in ensuring access to affordable protein for Liberian households.
“These are women who strive to ensure that we have the best kind of protein in our homes,” Sengbeh said during the opening ceremony. “They wake up early in the morning, go to the seaside to buy from the canoes, and work tirelessly so that Liberians can have quality fish on their tables.”
Promoting Local Fisheries
According to Sengbeh, the National Fish Market Day initiative forms part of the government’s broader strategy to strengthen Liberia’s fisheries value chain while supporting small-scale producers across the country.
The Director General stressed that all fish being sold at the market were sourced directly from Liberia’s coastal communities and inland aquaculture farms.
“What you see here today comes directly from the canoes at our landing sites,” he said. “Nothing here is imported. It is all from our ocean and from our hardworking Liberian fish farmers.”
Fish processors and traders from several counties, including Grand Cape Mount, Marshall, and Nimba, participated in the market, showcasing both fresh and processed fish products.
Supporting Women in Fisheries
Women fishmongers and processors played a central role in the event, highlighting the significant contribution women make to Liberia’s fisheries economy.
Representatives of the National Fishmongers and Fish Processors Association thanked NAFAA and its partners for creating opportunities that allow them to expand their businesses.
“As you can see, our Director General is doing extremely well trying to promote fish sales,” said a representative of the women’s group. “We urge the public to come and support us, your own Liberian businesswomen and men.”
Partnership with Development Institutions
The fish market initiative is being implemented in partnership with several organizations, including Orange Liberia, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Corporate Development Authority (CDA).
Orange Liberia used the event to promote digital financial inclusion by encouraging fishmongers and customers to use mobile payments.
“Today we are promoting digital financial services and financial inclusion,” said a representative of Orange Money Liberia. “Every fish farmer and fishmonger can receive payments through Orange Money, and customers who pay with Orange Money will receive a 10 percent cashback.”
Officials said the initiative is intended to help integrate small-scale fish traders into Liberia’s formal financial system while expanding access to digital payments.
International Support for Fisheries Development
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Liberia’s fisheries sector, noting the importance of improving production, processing, and market access.
“We want to see the fisheries sector at a different level,” an FAO representative said. “Our goal is to help Liberia’s fish products reach international markets and ensure fishmongers have access to finance and improved services.”
Linking Fisheries to Investment Opportunities
NAFAA officials also revealed that the market event serves as a precursor to Liberia’s first Fisheries Investment Conference, scheduled to take place at the Farmington Hotel later this month.
The conference is expected to bring together international investors, development partners, and government agencies to explore opportunities in aquaculture, marine resources, and fish processing.
“We are building strong partnerships with institutions like the World Bank, the European Union, and other development partners,” Sengbeh said. “Our goal is to grow Liberia’s fisheries sector into a major contributor to national development.”
Expanding the Market Nationwide
Organizers said the National Fish Market Day will be held quarterly in different locations across Liberia, allowing more communities to benefit from the initiative.
“This is just the beginning,” Sengbeh said. “Next quarter we will move to another location so that more Liberians can access quality fish and our fish farmers can expand their businesses.”
Officials are encouraging Liberians to support the initiative by purchasing locally sourced fish products and promoting domestic fisheries as a key pillar of Liberia’s food security and economic development.
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