Monrovia – A high-level delegation of aquaculture experts from Egypt’s Lake and Fish Resources Protection and Development Agency is expected to arrive in Liberia on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, to assess the needs of the country’s aquaculture sector.
The visit was confirmed by Emma Metieh Glassco, Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NAFAA), in a statement issued on Monday, January 20. The delegation’s mission is part of a broader initiative to strengthen Liberia’s fisheries and aquaculture through technical cooperation with Egypt.
During their stay, the Egyptian experts will tour aquaculture facilities across several counties, including Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Montserrado, Margibi, Bong, Nimba, and Lofa. This effort will involve conducting a comprehensive needs assessment to identify areas for intervention and capacity building.
The visit is a direct result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2024 between NAFAA and Egypt’s Lake and Fish Resources Protection and Development Agency. The agreement, signed by Madam Glassco on behalf of the Liberian government, aims to foster collaboration in fisheries governance, monitoring, control, and surveillance (MCS), as well as the development of aquaculture.
The MoU seeks to leverage Egypt’s vast experience in aquaculture to benefit Liberia, emphasizing mutual trade, private sector linkages, and the sharing of technical expertise. Madam Glassco noted that the partnership aligns with Liberia’s goal of bolstering its aquaculture capacity to address the nation’s domestic fish supply challenges.
The delegation, comprising three technical experts specializing in aquaculture, fisheries, and veterinary affairs, will spend eight days in Liberia, from January 22 to 30, 2025. Their itinerary includes visits to key sites such as the Bong Mines Reservoirs, Lake Piso, Gbedin Lowland, and Foyah Lowland.
While touring these locations, the team will engage with local stakeholders, including farmers, donors, and academic institutions, to gather insights into Liberia’s aquaculture value chain. The findings will inform future interventions and align with Liberia’s Sustainable Management of Fisheries Project, which conducted aquaculture zoning and spatial planning in 2024.
Madam Glassco further disclosed that the MoU is expected to culminate in the development of a national aquaculture strategy. This strategy will guide investment decisions, set development goals, and provide a roadmap for achieving short-, medium-, and long-term objectives in the sector.
