By: Zacharia Jalloh, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
EETOWN, Sierra Leone – The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Princess Dugba, has announced the commencement of construction works on the Julius Maada Bio Industrial Fishing Harbour, a landmark infrastructure project expected to transform Sierra Leone’s fisheries sector and strengthen the country’s blue economy.
The project is being financed through a US$55 million grant from the People’s Republic of China to the Government of Sierra Leone. The investment is aimed at boosting industrial fishing activities, supporting livelihoods and increasing revenue generation within the sector.
Speaking at the Civic Day Series Townhall organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education in New York on September 24, 2026, Minister Dugba clarified that the grant is not being provided directly to the Government in cash. Instead, she explained that the Chinese Government will fund and oversee the implementation of the project through a contractor engaged to carry out the construction works.
According to the Minister, the industrial fishing harbour will feature key facilities including a jetty, waste management system, marine house and fish market, all designed to improve fishing operations and enhance the handling and management of fishery resources.
She disclosed that a temporary jetty is expected to be completed within the next two months to enable large fishing vessels to berth while construction of the main harbour infrastructure continues.
Minister Dugba said the harbour will also provide dedicated facilities for artisanal fishermen, ensuring that their activities are accommodated within the project. She further revealed that the Government is exploring plans to replace traditional wooden canoes with fibreglass boats to improve safety, particularly during the rainy season.
The Minister noted that the harbour will host a company responsible for the construction and repair of large fishing vessels and other boats, creating employment opportunities and expanding technical services within the maritime sector.
Located at Black Johnson on the Freetown Peninsula, the Julius Maada Bio Industrial Fishing Harbour is expected to become Sierra Leone’s first industrial fishing port.
The project is being touted as a major investment in the country’s blue economy, with the potential to expand industrial fishing activities, modernize fisheries infrastructure, support artisanal fishing communities and enhance national revenue generation.
Minister Dugba said the initiative underscores the Government’s commitment to modernizing the fisheries sector and creating an enabling environment for sustainable economic growth and investment in Sierra Leone’s marine resources.