Freetown, 19th November 2025- Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has described the unveiling of the Julius Maada Bio Industrial Fishing Port as a transformative moment for Sierra Leone’s fisheries sector and blue economy.
Speaking on behalf of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio at the official launch held at Bintumani, Dr. Jalloh welcomed Chinese Vice Premier Mr. Liu Guozhong and his delegation, noting that the project reflects the strength of Sierra Leone’s partnership with the People’s Republic of China.
The Vice President expressed gratitude to the Chinese Government for its continued support, particularly the $55 million grant that funded the construction of the state-of-the-art facility. He said the new port would enhance fleet operations, vessel maintenance, fish processing, and export capacity, while creating new opportunities for local businesses and communities.
Dr. Jalloh emphasized that the project aligns with Sierra Leone’s National Blue Economy Strategy, which seeks to unlock the full potential of the country’s marine resources. He added that the port would boost national revenue, promote sustainable fisheries management, and strengthen climate resilience.
“The government remains committed to building a modern, inclusive, and sustainable fishing sector that supports livelihoods and drives economic growth,” he said.
Chinese Vice Premier Mr. Liu Guozhong praised the launch as a milestone in the longstanding cooperation between Sierra Leone and China. He highlighted decades of collaboration in fisheries, agriculture, resource assessment, and human capacity development, noting that these efforts have created jobs and improved livelihoods in local communities.
Mr. Liu also referenced recent policy agreements on economic partnership and the export of wild aquaculture products, describing fisheries as one of the first sectors to benefit from the new bilateral framework. He expressed confidence that the industrial port would support sustainable trade and deliver tangible benefits to both nations.
Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Princess Dugba, said the unveiling of the port at Black Johnson marks a major milestone for Sierra Leone’s blue economy. She described the Chinese-funded project as a strategic investment aimed at modernizing the fisheries sector, reducing post-harvest losses, and creating employment.
According to the Minister, the facility will include a 500-meter quay, a 3,000-square-meter basin, administrative offices, and a trading market, with a processing capacity of 20,000 metric tons of fish. She added that the port will open new avenues for private sector investment in fish processing, ice production, net manufacturing, and marine tourism — positioning Sierra Leone as a regional hub for fisheries trade and value addition.
