The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Princess Dugba, has provided an update on the Black Johnson Fish Harbour Project, reaffirming the government’s commitment to transforming Sierra Leone’s fisheries sector. The minister credited the project’s progress to President Julius Maada Bio’s strategic diplomatic efforts with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
A $55 million grant from the Chinese government, approved by Parliament in July 2021, forms the financial foundation for the project. While concerns had arisen over possible delays and a reduction in the grant amount, Minister Dugba’s engagement with the Chinese Embassy secured the original terms. Construction of the harbour is now scheduled to begin in September 2025.
In a related development, the minister mentioned that on Friday, 11 July 2025, the Ministry, in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy, will launch the Export Certification Portal. This system will allow registered Sierra Leonean fishers to export fish products to China under a zero-tariff agreement. The new portal is expected to significantly improve market access and increase the sector’s foreign exchange earnings.
Acting Director of Fisheries, Sheku Sei, shared further details about the planned infrastructure at Black Johnson. The harbour will feature a seafront with a breakwater, a slipway for offloading, a synchro lift for vessel maintenance, cold storage facilities, and fish processing plants.
He projected that the new harbour will boost revenue from fisheries to an estimated $59 million annually, up from the current $10 million. The ministry expects that this development will not only improve the country’s economic outlook but also modernize its fishing industry and create new employment opportunities along the value chain.
