By Joseph Momoh, Reporter
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — During the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly government press briefing on July 8, 2025, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Princess Dugba, shared promising updates on the Black Johnson Fish Harbour Project.
Minister Dugba emphasized that this initiative represents a significant advancement for Sierra Leone’s fishing industry, offering substantial economic growth and improved livelihoods for numerous individuals involved in the sector. This project is the result of a strategic partnership between Sierra Leone and China, facilitated by the collaborative efforts of President Julius Maada Bio and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
A major highlight of the briefing was the announcement of a $55 million grant from the Chinese Government, which received parliamentary approval in July 2021. Despite facing initial delays and concerns regarding potential budget cuts, Minister Dugba assured that her ministry’s proactive engagement with the Chinese Embassy has ensured the preservation of project funding. Construction is now anticipated to commence in September 2025.
In addition, the Minister revealed plans to launch an Export Certification Portal on July 11, 2025, in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy. This portal will allow Sierra Leonean fishermen and women to export their catch to China with zero tariffs, thereby significantly enhancing market access and boosting the country’s export revenues.
Sheku Sei, Acting Director of Fisheries, provided further insights into the structural and operational aspects of the Fish Harbour. The facility will feature a seafront with a breakwater system, a slipway for offboard activities, a synchro lift for vessel maintenance, cold storage rooms, and processing factories along the foreshore. Sei projected that the Fish Harbour could dramatically elevate revenue in the fisheries sector, potentially generating $59 million annually from one area of the project alone, compared to the current $10 million.
This ambitious project is poised to not only bolster the fishing industry in Sierra Leone but also contribute significantly to the nation’s economy as it embraces new opportunities for growth and development.
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