The government of Sierra Leone has officially launched the long-anticipated $55 million Chinese-funded Fish Harbour Project, marking a major milestone for the country’s fisheries sector.
The unveiling ceremony took place at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown and paves the way for construction work to begin at the designated site in Black Johnson, Western Area Rural District.
The event, organised by the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in partnership with the Chinese Embassy, drew a high-profile audience. Among those in attendance were the Vice Presidents of both Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China, alongside government ministers, diplomats, and key figures within the fisheries industry.
Named the Julius Maada Bio Fishing Port, the project is positioned as a transformative national investment. Government officials say the new harbour is expected to generate more than US$59 million annually, create extensive employment opportunities across the fisheries value chain, boost food security, and support the Feed Salone initiative. It is also projected to enhance marine resource management and overall governance within the sector.
